Cookie Policy.
Last updated: September 15, 2026
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They are used to remember your preferences, keep you logged in, and understand how you use the site.
Cookies we use
We use two kinds of cookie on this website: essential cookies that make the site work, and analytics cookies that help us understand how the site is used. Analytics cookies are only set if you accept them. We do not use advertising cookies, retargeting cookies, or any cookie that tracks you across other websites.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Session management. Keeps you logged in and stores CSRF tokens. | Session (deleted when you close your browser) | Essential |
| _csrf_token | Protects forms against cross-site request forgery attacks. | Session | Essential |
| cookie_consent | Remembers whether you accepted or declined analytics cookies, so we stop asking. Stored in your browser's local storage rather than as a cookie. | Until you clear your browser storage | Essential |
| _pk_id | Matomo analytics. Stores a random identifier so repeat visits from the same browser are counted as one visitor rather than several. | 13 months | Analytics (only if you accept) |
| _pk_ses | Matomo analytics. Groups the pages you view into a single visit. | 30 minutes | Analytics (only if you accept) |
| _pk_ref | Matomo analytics. Remembers which website or search engine you arrived from, so we can see what brings people here. | 6 months | Analytics (only if you accept) |
Matomo may also set a short-lived _pk_testcookie to check whether your browser accepts cookies at all. It is deleted immediately.
How we measure site traffic
We use Matomo, an open-source analytics tool that we run on our own server at stats.hotlinelabs.com. Nothing is sent to Google, to an advertising network, or to any other third party, and we never sell or share the data.
Analytics run on our public marketing pages and our sign-up pages only. If you use Hotline LMS as a customer or a learner, the branded environment you log into is not covered by this tracking.
If you decline, or before you have answered the banner, Matomo still counts the page view but stores nothing on your device: no cookie is set, and visits cannot be linked together or back to you. Accepting adds the three cookies above, which let us tell a returning visitor from a new one.
What we don't use
- No Google Analytics. Our analytics are self-hosted and first-party.
- No advertising or retargeting cookies.
- No social media tracking pixels.
- No cross-site tracking of any kind.
- No selling or sharing of analytics data with third parties.
Your choice
The first time you visit, a banner asks whether you accept analytics cookies. Declining does not reduce anything you can do on the site, and you can change your mind whenever you like.
Current choice: loading
Managing cookies in your browser
You can also configure your browser to block or delete cookies. Blocking essential cookies will prevent you from logging in, because those cookies are what keep your session alive.
Contact
Questions about our cookie usage? Contact us at hello@hotlinelms.com.