Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Distyly Limited ("Distyly", "we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on www.distyly.com and our mobile applications (collectively "Distyly.com").
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.
Cookies allow websites to recognise your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions. This helps improve your experience by remembering your settings and enabling certain features.
Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes:
- Essential functionality: To enable you to log in, navigate the site, and access secure areas
- Security: To protect your account and encrypt sensitive data stored locally
- Preferences: To remember your cookie consent choices and theme preferences
- Performance: To provide search functionality and real-time data synchronisation
- Analytics: To understand how you use Distyly.com, measure performance, and improve user experience (requires your consent)
We do not use cookies for advertising, marketing, or tracking your activity across other websites.
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for Distyly.com to function properly. They enable core features such as security, authentication, and encrypted data storage. You cannot opt out of these cookies as the website would not work properly without them.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
__DSTY | Stores an encryption token used to secure your locally stored preferences and session data. This cookie is essential for protecting your privacy and maintaining your login state. | 180 days | Distyly (First-party) |
| Firebase Authentication Cookies | Various cookies set by Firebase Authentication to manage your login session, verify your identity, and maintain secure access to your account. These include session tokens and authentication state. | Session / Varies | Google Firebase (Third-party) |
2. Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third-party services we use. If you reject these cookies, some or all of these features may not function properly.
| Service | Purpose | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Firestore | Enables real-time data synchronisation and offline access to your health records, discussions, and platform interactions. | Google Firebase (Third-party) |
| Firebase Storage | Allows the platform to cache and display brand logos and other images efficiently. | Google Firebase (Third-party) |
| Firebase Cloud Functions | Processes backend operations such as data extraction, content ranking, and user management. | Google Firebase (Third-party) |
| Algolia Search | Provides fast, relevant search results for health topics, entries, products, and brands. Uses your user-specific API key to personalise search results. | Algolia (Third-party) |
3. Performance and Analytics Cookies
If you accept cookies, we use Firebase Analytics (powered by Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our website. This helps us improve Distyly by identifying popular features and areas that may need improvement. Analytics data is only collected after you accept cookies.
| Service | Purpose | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Analytics | Collects anonymous usage data including page views, session duration, and feature usage. If you are logged in, your user ID may be associated with analytics data to provide cross-device insights. Only active if you accept cookies. | Google (Third-party) |
4. Marketing and Advertising Cookies
We do not use any marketing or advertising cookies. Distyly does not serve advertisements or track you for marketing purposes.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
On Distyly.com
When you first visit Distyly.com, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to choose whether to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by:
- Clearing your browser cookies (this will reset your preferences)
- Using the cookie controls in the footer of our website
Please note that if you reject non-essential cookies, some features of Distyly.com may not work as intended. Specifically, you may experience limitations with:
- Real-time data synchronisation
- Search functionality
- Offline access to your data
In Your Browser
You can also manage cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. The methods for doing so vary from browser to browser. Please use the links below for instructions:
Important: Blocking or deleting cookies may prevent you from accessing certain features of Distyly.com and may affect your user experience. In particular, blocking strictly necessary cookies will prevent you from logging in or using authenticated features.
Third-Party Services
Distyly.com uses the following third-party services that may set cookies on your device. These services are essential to the functioning of our platform:
Google Firebase
We use Firebase (a Google service) for authentication, database storage, file storage, and backend functions. Firebase may set cookies to enable these services. Google's use of data is governed by their privacy policy.
Algolia
We use Algolia to provide search functionality on Distyly.com. Algolia may set cookies to optimise search performance and provide relevant results.
Data Stored in Local Storage
In addition to cookies, Distyly.com uses your browser's local storage to store encrypted application data. This includes:
- Your authentication state
- User preferences and settings
- Theme selections
- Cached data for offline access
This data is encrypted using the encryption token stored in the __DSTY cookie and is only
accessible by Distyly.com. The data is stored locally on your device and is not transmitted to our
servers except when you explicitly save changes to your account.
Your Rights Under UK Law
Under UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), you have rights regarding cookies and your personal data:
- Right to be informed: You have the right to clear information about how cookies are used (this policy).
- Right to object: You have the right to refuse non-essential cookies.
- Right to access: You can request information about what data we hold about you.
- Right to erasure: You can request deletion of your data by closing your account.
- Right to withdraw consent: You can change your cookie preferences at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at distyly@distyly.com or see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Children's Privacy
Distyly.com requires users to be at least 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data or set cookies for children under 16. If you believe a child under 16 has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately.
Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, our operations, or best practices. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
Further Information
For more information about cookies and how to manage them, you can visit:
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, please contact us:
- Email: distyly@distyly.com
- Post: Data Protection Officer, Distyly Limited, 46 Hearnville Road, London SW12 8RR, United Kingdom
This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
3 October 2025