Last updated: 10 August 2026
1. About this policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Quantemol Limited ("Quantemol", "we", "us" or "our") uses cookies and similar storage technologies when you use Quantemol Database (QDB). It should be read with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle personal data more generally.
Cookies are small text files placed on your browser or device. They allow a website to recognise information stored by your browser. Some are necessary for QDB to operate securely; others are optional and support features that you choose to enable.
2. Your choices
When you first visit QDB, we ask whether you want to allow optional cookies. You may accept optional cookies, use essential cookies only, or select each optional preference separately in Cookie settings in the website footer. Essential cookies cannot be disabled through those settings because they are required for security, sign-in or remembering your choice.
You can change or withdraw optional-cookie consent at any time through Cookie settings. When you turn off an optional preference, QDB deletes the associated optional cookie and stops using that feature's stored cookie data. Your browser settings can also be used to block or delete cookies, but doing so may affect sign-in, security and other parts of QDB.
3. Cookies used by QDB
The table below describes the cookies set by the current QDB application. All are first-party cookies set by Quantemol; QDB does not currently set analytics, advertising, social-media tracking or other third-party tracking cookies.
| Cookie | Category | Purpose | Duration | Consent required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
qdb_cookie_consent |
Essential | Records your cookie choices, including the policy version and the date and time of your choice. It allows QDB to remember whether the two optional preferences below are enabled. | 183 days | No |
sessionid |
Essential | Maintains an authenticated session after you sign in and supports secure access to account features. It is only set when needed for a session. | Browser session | No |
csrftoken |
Essential | Helps protect forms and requests against cross-site request forgery. | 1 year | No |
qdb_recent_species |
Preferences | Remembers up to six recently viewed species on this device so they can appear in your QDB search history. | 1 year | Yes |
qdb_feedback_prompt |
Preferences | Remembers feedback-prompt choices and submitted-feedback state so QDB can avoid repeatedly showing the same prompt. It includes a seven-day general prompt delay and may suppress a prompt until that feature's feedback version changes. | 183 days | Yes |
4. Similar storage technologies
QDB also uses browser session storage under the key qdb_feedback_session. This records which feedback prompts have already been shown during the current browser session, so the same prompt is not displayed repeatedly. It is not sent to our servers and is cleared when the browser session ends.
5. How the preferences work
The optional preferences are independent. You can allow recently viewed species without allowing feedback prompts, or allow feedback prompts without allowing recently viewed species. Refusing optional cookies does not prevent you from using the main QDB service; it means that these optional convenience features will not store their state on your device.
The consent record itself is retained so that we can respect your decision. If you had previously used the older QDB consent cookie, it is removed when you save a current preference choice.
6. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when QDB's use of cookies or similar technologies changes. We will publish the updated version on this page and update the "Last updated" date. Before introducing a new optional cookie or comparable tracking technology, we will review the information and consent controls that apply to it.
7. Contact us
The controller for QDB is Quantemol Limited, registered in England and Wales (company number 05048184), with its registered office at 320 City Road, London, EC1V 2NZ. For questions about this Cookie Policy or your privacy, contact qdbsupport@quantemol.com.