Cookie Policy
1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember information about your visit, such as your login status and preferences. Some cookies are essential for the site to function, while others help improve your experience.
2. How We Use Cookies
The BPS E-Services Portal uses cookies strictly for essential purposes: to keep you securely signed in and to protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks. We do not use analytics or marketing cookies. Essential cookies do not require your consent, so the notice you see on your first visit is there to inform you, not to ask permission. It does not block the page.
3. Cookie Categories
- Essential Cookies: Required for the portal to function. These manage authentication, CSRF protection, and session state. They cannot be disabled.
- Analytics Cookies: Would help us understand how visitors use the portal. Not in use. If they are ever introduced you will be asked for your consent first, and any earlier preference you saved will not be reused.
- Marketing Cookies: Would be used for public service communications. Not in use. The same applies: a fresh, specific consent would be requested before any were set.
4. Cookies We Set
| Name | Category | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| __Secure-portal.next-auth.session-token | Essential | Authentication session | 8 hours, and your session ends earlier after 30 minutes without activity |
| __Host-portal.next-auth.csrf-token | Essential | CSRF protection | Session |
| __Secure-portal.next-auth.callback-url | Essential | Post-login redirect | Session |
| portal.site-access | Essential | Environment access gate (test environments only) | 30 minutes, renewed while you browse |
On the live site the first three cookies carry the __Secure- or __Host- prefix shown above; on non-HTTPS test environments the same cookies appear without the prefix.
5. Browser Storage That Is Not a Cookie
For transparency, the portal also keeps a few preferences in your browser's local storage. None of them contain personal data or authentication tokens, none are sent to our servers, and clearing your browser data removes them all.
| Key | Storage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| bps-cookie-consent | localStorage | Your cookie preference and when you saved it |
| bps.portal.lastActivityAt | localStorage | Time of your last interaction, used to end the session after 30 minutes of inactivity across open tabs |
| push-prompt-dismissed | localStorage | That you dismissed the push-notification prompt |
| bps-portal-notification-muted | localStorage | Whether notification sounds are muted |
| profile-banner-dismissed, paid-unsubmitted-dismissed | sessionStorage | That you closed a reminder banner; forgotten when the tab closes |
6. Managing Your Preferences
You can review your cookie preferences at any time using the button below or via the "Cookie Settings" link in the portal footer.
7. Browser Cookie Controls
Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. You can choose to block or delete cookies; however, disabling essential cookies will prevent you from signing in. Refer to your browser's help documentation for instructions on managing cookies.
8. Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact the Botswana Police Service Data Protection Officer at dpo@police.gov.bw or visit the nearest police station.
9. Effective Date
This Cookie Policy is effective from 9 September 2026 (it replaces the version of 23 February 2026). We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.