Cookie Policy

We believe in full transparency about how this site works. This policy explains every technology we use to track your visit — and how to turn them off.

Introduction & Scope

Do it Yourself Solid State Drive (diySSD.com) is an independent online resource dedicated to providing detailed specifications, pricing comparisons, and expert analysis of solid-state drives and related accessories. Our platform serves users seeking high-performance storage solutions for gaming, content creation, and computer upgrades.

This Cookie Policy applies to all visitors interacting with our website, blog posts, product reviews, or marketing communications. It explains how diySSD uses cookies and similar tracking technologies, what data they collect, and how you can manage your preferences. This policy supplements our Privacy Policy, which covers our broader data handling practices.

diySSD.com is an affiliate-free, independent platform. We do not receive compensation from hardware vendors or retailers for content recommendations.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit websites. They enable core functionality such as session persistence, preference storage, and traffic analysis. In addition to traditional cookies, modern websites use related technologies:

This policy covers all such tracking mechanisms used on diySSD.com.

Local storage — for saving larger datasets client-side between sessions
Session storage — temporary data cleared when the browser tab closes
Web beacons / pixel tags — small graphics that track page and email interactions
Fingerprinting-adjacent signals — browser and device characteristics used for analytics

This policy covers all such tracking mechanisms used on diySSD.com.

Legal Basis for Cookie Use

Depending on your jurisdiction, our legal basis for processing data via cookies varies:

Essential cookies — Legitimate interest / necessary for service delivery. No consent required.
Performance, functionality, and analytics cookies — Consent. You may opt in or out via our cookie consent banner or browser settings.

Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Montana, and other jurisdictions with applicable privacy laws have specific rights described in the Regional Privacy Rights section below.

Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following categories of cookies. You can manage non-essential categories via our cookie consent banner or browser settings.

Essential - REQUIRED
Strictly necessary for core site functionality. Enables secure sessions, consent preference storage, and cross-site request forgery protection. Cannot be disabled.
Performance - CONSENT
Collects anonymized usage data including pages visited, session durations, and error rates. Helps us identify technical issues and improve the site.
Functionality - CONSENT
Retains your display preferences, applied filters in SSD comparison tables, and device-specific layout adjustments for a more convenient repeat visit.
Analytics (GA4) - CONSENT
Google Analytics 4 cookies track engagement metrics. Configured with IP anonymization enabled and 14-month data retention. Not used for advertising.

Third-Party Cookies & Services

Access straightforward product analysis that addresses both strengths and limitations. We write for people who need practical guidance, not marketing departments looking for quotes.

Google Analytics 4 — session and engagement analytics. See privacy.google.com
Google Adsense — Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on visits to the site. See Adsense Ad Settings
Cloudflare — security, performance, and bot protection. See cloudflare.com

We conduct annual reviews of third-party integrations to ensure they remain necessary and compliant with applicable privacy standards. We do not permit third parties to use cookies collected on our site for their own advertising purposes without your explicit consent.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

// Cookie Consent Banner

We respect your right to privacy and provide you with full control over the non-essential cookies we use. You can review or change your consent settings at any time by clicking here to "Change your consent". Additionally, most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their internal settings, which typically include options to delete existing cookies or block future ones. Please note that opting out of certain categories of cookies may impact your experience and the functionality of specific features on our website.

// Global Privacy Control (GPC)

diySSD.com honors the Global Privacy Control (GPC) browser signal as a valid opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal data, consistent with applicable US state privacy laws including CPRA, CPA, and CTDPA. If your browser transmits a GPC signal, we will treat it as a request to disable non-essential cookies automatically.

GPC is supported in browsers such as Firefox, Brave, and DuckDuckGo. Learn more at: globalprivacycontrol.org.

// Browser Settings

You can manage or delete cookies directly through your browser settings. Note that blocking essential cookies may impair site functionality:

Chrome — Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and Site Data
Firefox — Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari — Settings → Privacy → Website Tracking
Edge — Settings → Cookies and Site Permissions → Cookies and Site Data

Data Collection & Usage

Cookie-derived data we collect includes anonymized device type (desktop, mobile, tablet), browser version and operating system, page interaction patterns and session durations, and referral sources. This data is used solely to improve site performance, content strategy, and user experience.

We do not sell, rent, or share this data with third parties for commercial purposes. Data collected via cookies is stored on servers located in the United States. Where data is transferred internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) where required under EU/UK law.

Cookie Retention Periods

Retention periods vary by cookie type. You may delete cookies at any time through your browser settings, which will reset your stored preferences on this site.

Session cookies — expire immediately when your browser session ends
Consent preference cookies — retained for 12 months
Analytics cookies (GA4) — session data retained for 14 months per our GA4 configuration
Functionality cookies — retained for up to 6 months

Regional Privacy Rights

// European Economic Area & United Kingdom

If you are located in the EEA or UK, your rights under the GDPR or UK GDPR include the right to access, rectify, erase, or restrict processing of personal data; the right to data portability; and the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

// United States — State Privacy Laws

Residents of states with enacted comprehensive privacy legislation have the right to know what personal data is collected, the right to delete personal data, the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal data, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights. We do not sell personal data as defined under any applicable state privacy law. The following are State > Law > Response Windows:

California > CPRA > 45 days (+ 45 day extension)
Colorado > CPA > 45 days
Connecticut > CTDPA > 45 days
Virginia > VCDPA > 45 days
Texas > TDPSA > 45 days
Oregon > OCPA > 45 days
Montana > MCDPA > 45 days

To submit a privacy request, email john.baer@diyssd.com with the subject line "Privacy Rights Request".

Policy Updates

We review this policy at minimum annually and update it when we adopt new technologies, change our data practices, or when applicable law requires. Significant changes will be communicated via an on-site banner notification and, for newsletter subscribers, via email. Minor clarifications may be made without notice; the Last Revised date at the top of this document will always reflect the most recent update.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of diySSD.com after a policy update constitutes acknowledgment of the revised terms.

Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or privacy rights requests related to this Cookie Policy, please reach out directly. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 5 business days.

Email john.baer@diyssd.com with the subject line "Privacy Rights Request".