Updated 2026-09-20. What we store, why, and how long it sticks around.
Anonymous to other people ≠ invisible to the operator
Nobody in the feed sees your visitor_id. They see your alias and whatever you post. On the server, posts, replies, reactions, bookmarks, and drafts from the same browser can still be linked. Posts expire; that is not total deniability against the host.
This page describes how Confide handles data when you use the site. We do not require an account, email, or phone by default. If you voluntarily email us via Contact, that message is stored too.
| Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Visitor cookie (`confide_vid`) | HttpOnly UUID for this browser. Links your session to server-side rows. Not shown in the public UI. |
| Identity cookie (`confide_identity`) | Alias, emoji, and tone for how you appear. Rotates to a new random identity each day. HttpOnly. |
| TTL cookie (`confide_ttl`) | Preferred confession lifetime (hours). HttpOnly. |
| Preferences cookie (`confide_prefs`) | Brand colour, chosen Unsplash background, blur and dim levels. HttpOnly. |
| Streak cookie (`confide_streak`) | Days showing up counter and last visit day. HttpOnly. |
| Fresh flag (`confide_fresh`) | Short-lived httpOnly flag after identity minting or rotation. |
| Confessions | Body, category, alias/emoji/tone, visitor_id, created/expires times, reaction counts, reply_count, is_hidden. |
| Replies & reactions | Tied to a confession and visitor_id so the same session can be correlated on the server. |
| Bookmarks, drafts, notifications | Stored against your visitor_id for this browser. |
| Reports & contact messages | Moderation reports and optional Contact fields (email only if you type one in). |
| Other operational data | Categories, daily prompts, expired-reply events. Hosting logs may briefly include IP / user-agent if enabled. |
Main visitor cookies last about one year unless you clear them. Short summary: Cookies.
Data sits with infrastructure we use (hosting, database). We do not sell personal data. We may disclose information when required by applicable law. Expiry and cookies are not a shield against a lawful request.
Clear site cookies to drop the local visitor link. Use Contact / Report if you want help removing something we can still find on the server.
Confide is for people 18+. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
We may update this page when the product changes. The date at the top is the latest revision. Terms · Guidelines
This page describes how Confide works. It is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer admitted in your jurisdiction.