Cookies Policy
Last updated: 02 November 2026.
What Cookies and Similar Technologies Are
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They allow the site to remember actions and preferences over time. Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels and local storage that can store or access information on your device. These tools can record details such as browser type, operating system, pages visited, time spent on pages and referring websites. In South Africa this practice is governed by the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) together with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.
Why Whodunnix.com Uses Cookies
Whodunnix.com operates an entertainment magazine focused on celebrity culture and local entertainment in South Africa. Cookies help us deliver relevant articles, remember reading preferences, measure audience interest and support advertising that funds our independent journalism. Without these technologies many features would not function correctly and the site could not maintain the quality expected by South African readers.
Categories of Cookies We Use
We group cookies into five categories. Strictly necessary cookies enable core functions such as page navigation and secure access. Functional cookies remember settings like language or font size. Analytics or performance cookies collect aggregated information about how visitors use the site. Advertising or targeting cookies help show entertainment-related promotions that may interest readers. Social-media cookies allow sharing of articles on platforms popular in South Africa.
First-Party versus Third-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set directly by Whodunnix.com and remain under our control. Third-party cookies are placed by external providers such as content delivery networks, analytics services or advertising partners. Both types appear on our pages because we embed video clips, comment systems and sponsored features common in the entertainment industry.
Session versus Persistent Cookies
Session cookies exist only while your browser is open and are deleted when you close it. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a defined period or until you delete them. Typical retention periods range from a few hours for shopping-session data to twenty-four months for audience-measurement identifiers, always subject to POPIA storage-limitation principles.
Data Handled and Purpose of Each Category
Strictly necessary cookies process minimal identifiers required for site stability. Functional cookies store preference strings. Analytics cookies capture page-view counts and device information to improve content about South African celebrities. Advertising cookies record interaction data to limit repeated ads. Social-media cookies transmit article URLs when readers choose to share. No category collects special personal information such as race or health data.
Legal Basis and Consent Requirements under South African Law
Strictly necessary cookies operate under the legitimate-interest basis permitted by POPIA because they are essential for the service you request. All other categories require prior consent. Our consent manager presents clear choices before non-essential cookies activate. You may accept all, reject non-essential or customise selections at any time. Consent records are retained for audit purposes as required by the Information Regulator.
Cookie and Provider Table
- Name: _ga Purpose: Audience measurement Provider: Google Analytics Category: Analytics Duration: 24 months
- Name: _fbp Purpose: Advertising measurement Provider: Meta Category: Advertising Duration: 3 months
- Name: site_session Purpose: Maintain login state Provider: Whodunnix.com Category: Strictly necessary Duration: Session
- Name: pref_lang Purpose: Remember language choice Provider: Whodunnix.com Category: Functional Duration: 12 months
How the Consent Manager Works
A banner appears on first visit and after any policy change. You can reopen the manager via the footer link on any page. Rejecting a category prevents that provider from setting new cookies. Previously stored cookies from rejected categories are deleted within seven days. Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing that occurred before withdrawal.
Browser-Level Controls and Consequences of Disabling Cookies
Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through settings menus. Disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent core navigation on Whodunnix.com. Blocking analytics cookies reduces our ability to improve coverage of local entertainment events. Disabling advertising cookies may result in less relevant promotions but does not stop all advertising. Instructions for common browsers are available on their official support sites.
International Transfers
Some third-party providers store data outside South Africa. Transfers occur only to jurisdictions with adequate protection or under contracts approved by the Information Regulator. Details appear in our separate Privacy Policy, which you can access from the footer.
Policy Changes and Contact Route
We review this policy annually or when legislation changes. Material updates will be announced on the site and via the cookie banner. If you have questions about cookies please use the contact form on our Contacts page or write to [email protected]. Our physical address is 92 Main Road, Paarl, Western Cape, 7646, South Africa. This document constitutes the full Cookies Policy of Whodunnix.com as at the date shown above.