BUG : StorageType none setting entries in local storage

[IHtDzenda]

Bug Report: storage.type: none Setting Still Creates Entries in Local Storage

Description

The storage.type: none setting in the @rudderstack/analytics-js SDK does not appear to function as expected. Despite configuring the SDK to use no storage, some entries are still being created and persisted in the local storage. This issue also persists when using memoryStorage as the storage type.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a new React app with TypeScript:

   npm create vite@latest app -- --template react-ts        
   npm install @rudderstack/analytics-js

2. Modify App.tsx as follows (replace placeholders with appropriate values for WriteKey and DataPlaneUrl):

   import { RudderAnalytics } from '@rudderstack/analytics-js';
   import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
   
   function App() {
       const [analytics, setAnalytics] = useState<RudderAnalytics>();
   
       useEffect(() => {
           if (!analytics) {
               const initialize = async () => {
                   const { RudderAnalytics } = await import('@rudderstack/analytics-js');
                   const analyticsInstance = new RudderAnalytics();
                   const WriteKey = "YOUR KEY";
                   const DataPlaneUrl = "YOUR URL";
   
                   analyticsInstance.load(
                       WriteKey,
                       DataPlaneUrl,
                       {
                           storage: {
                               type: 'none',
                               entries: {
                                   userId: { type: 'none' },
                                   anonymousId: { type: 'none' },
                                   sessionInfo: { type: 'none' },
                                   groupId: { type: 'none' },
                                   authToken: { type: 'none' },
                                   userTraits: { type: 'none' },
                                   groupTraits: { type: 'none' },
                                   initialReferringDomain: { type: 'none' },
                                   initialReferrer: { type: 'none' },
                               },
                           },
                       }
                   );
   
                   window.rudderanalytics = analyticsInstance;
                   setAnalytics(analyticsInstance);
               };
   
               initialize().catch(console.error);
           }
       }, [analytics]);
   
       return (
           <button onClick={() => analytics?.track("test")}>
               Track
           </button>
       );
   }
   
   export default App;

3. Open the application in the browser.
4. Inspect the local storage in Developer Tools and verify that some entries are still present even when storage.type is set to none.

Expected Behavior

When storage.type is set to none, no entries should be created or persist in the local storage.

---

Observed Behavior

Local storage contains entries despite explicitly configuring storage.type: none. This behavior is unexpected.
Below is a screenshot of the local storage content:

Additionally, when memoryStorage is used, the issue persists and entries are still visible in local storage.

---

Additional Information

• SDK installation type: NPM
• SDK version: @rudderstack/analytics-js@^3.11.17
• Node version: v22.11.0
• NPM version: 10.9.0
• Frameworks and Versions: Tested on vite and Next.js 15
• Bundling Toolset: Not specified

---

Environment Details

• Operating System: NixOS
• Browsers Tested: Firefox, Chromium, Brave (issue is consistent across all)
• Browser Versions: Latest versions of each browser.

Am i doing something wrong or is it a bug ?
Link to documentation https://www.rudderstack.com/docs/sources/event-streams/sdks/rudderstack-javascript-sdk/data-storage-cookies/persistent-data-storage/

This report was grammar corrected by chatgpt

[contributor-support]

Thanks for opening this issue! We'll get back to you shortly. If it is a bug, please make sure to add steps to reproduce the issue.

[saikumarrs]

Hello @IHtDzenda
As noted in the documentation the storage type can be configured only for specific persisted data.
https://www.rudderstack.com/docs/sources/event-streams/sdks/rudderstack-javascript-sdk/data-storage-cookies/persistent-data-storage/#persisted-data

The entries you've pointed out are related to events processing. It is not configurable.
Is there a concern?

[IHtDzenda]

Is there a concern?

Our primary concern is compliance with EU tracking consent regulations. We use Termly for managing user consent, and we've observed a large number of uncategorized cookies, including those created by RudderStack, even with all storage configurations set to "none."

This complicates our ability to provide users with accurate information about cookie usage. While it would be ideal to have a way to fully disable these cookies, we can work around it if this isn't something you're planning to change.

Below are some screenshots for reference:

Thanks for the quick response 😄

[saikumarrs]

Hi @IHtDzenda
Thanks for providing additional details.

We never had plans to manage these entries in the localstorage via the storage type option as they are purely meant for events processing.

I'll take this up with our product internally. Meanwhile, please use a workaround to ignore these entries.