Last updated: 19 October 2026
The short version
- The site itself sets no cookies.
- It saves your settings and hangman scores in your browser’s local storage, on your device only. These don’t need consent because they only make features you use work.
- Google, which provides our adverts, uses cookies. In the UK, EEA and Switzerland it asks for your consent first.
- You can change your choice with Privacy and cookie settings, and clear everything in your browser.
What cookies and local storage are
A cookie is a small text file that a website saves in your browser. Local storage is a similar place in your browser where a page can save small pieces of information. Both stay on your device. The law (PECR) says websites must ask before using them, unless they are strictly needed for something you asked for, such as remembering a setting you chose.
Local storage used by this site
These entries are created by our own pages, on your device, only when you use the feature they belong to. They are never sent to us. They stay until you clear them.
| Name | What it does | Who sets it | How long | Needs consent? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
uw4u-lang | The language you picked in the language menu, so the site opens in that language next time. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-lang-no | Remembers that you said “No thanks” when we offered to switch language, so we don’t keep asking. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-dict | Your dictionary choice for English: UK, US or both. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-dict-lang:<language> | The word list language you picked in the Dictionary box (one entry for each site language you use). | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-dict-accents | Whether “Ignore accents” is ticked. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-hm-stats | Your hangman scores: games played and won, and your streaks, for each level. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-hm-pic | The hangman picture you chose (classic or balloons). | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-hm-lang:<language> | The language of the hangman words. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-xw-last | The grid and clues of the last puzzle you set up in the crossword helper, so you can carry on later. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-xw:<code> | The letters you have filled in on a crossword helper grid (one entry for each puzzle). | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-morse | Your Morse code settings: speed, tone, volume, flashing light and vibration. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
uw4u-morse-alpha | The Morse code alphabet you chose. | This site | Until you clear it | No: it only makes a feature you use work |
Cookies from Google (adverts)
Our adverts come from Google AdSense. Google, and in some cases its advertising partners, may set cookies or use similar storage on this site and on doubleclick.net and other Google domains. In the UK, EEA and Switzerland, Google’s consent message asks for your choice first. Here are some common examples:
| Name | Who sets it | What it does | How long | Needs consent? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
__gads, __gpi, __eoi | Google (AdSense) | Count how often you see an ad, stop the same ad showing too often, measure ads and fight fraud. | Up to 13 months | Yes, in the UK, EEA and Switzerland |
IDE, test_cookie and other doubleclick.net cookies | Show personalised ads based on your visits to this and other websites, and measure them. | Up to 13 months | Yes, in the UK, EEA and Switzerland | |
FCCDCF, FCNEC | Google (consent message) | Remember the choices you made in the consent message, so it doesn’t ask again on every page. | Up to 13 months | No (needed to respect your choice) |
Google changes these from time to time. See Google’s full list at business.safety.google/adscookies, and how Google uses cookies. Read How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.
If you don’t agree to cookies, Google may still show non-personalised ads, or “limited ads” that use no cookies. Non-personalised ads are not based on your browsing history.
Changing your choice and clearing cookies
- Change your ad choice: use the Privacy and cookie settings link at the bottom of every page. If you are in the UK, EEA or Switzerland, this opens Google’s consent message again so you can change or withdraw your consent.
- Turn off personalised ads from Google everywhere: visit Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of some other companies at www.aboutads.info.
- Clear our saved settings and scores: press the button above, or clear “site data” for unscramblewords4u.com in your browser.
- Clear or block cookies: every browser lets you see, delete and block cookies and site data. Look in your browser’s settings under Privacy, or see its help pages: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge. If you block all cookies, the consent message may ask again on each visit.
More about how we handle information is in our privacy policy. Questions? Email info@unscramblewords4u.com.