Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide information to website owners, and enhance user experience.

Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels, local storage, and session storage, which serve similar purposes. For simplicity, we refer to all these technologies collectively as "cookies" in this policy.

We categorize cookies based on their purpose and duration:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled:

• Session Management: Maintain your browsing session and security
• Security: Protect against CSRF attacks and maintain secure connections
• Cookie Consent: Remember your cookie preferences
• Load Balancing: Ensure optimal website performance

Analytics Cookies

With your consent, we use analytics cookies to:

• Measure website traffic and user behavior patterns
• Identify popular content and improve user experience
• Monitor website performance and technical issues
• Generate aggregate statistics (no personal identification)

Functional Cookies

With your consent, functional cookies help us:

• Remember your language and region preferences
• Customize content based on your interests
• Provide enhanced features like live chat support
• Enable social media integration

We may allow select third-party service providers to place cookies on our website to provide specific services. These partners are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide to us.

Current Third-Party Services:

• Google Analytics: Website analytics and performance measurement
• Tawk.to: Live chat customer support functionality
• CDN Providers: Content delivery and website optimization

Each third-party service has its own privacy policy and cookie practices. We recommend reviewing their policies for detailed information about their data processing practices.

You have several options to control cookies:

Cookie Preference Center

Use our cookie preference center to granularly control which types of cookies you accept. You can access this at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in our website footer or contacting us directly.

Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete existing cookies
• Block all or specific cookies
• Set preferences for first-party and third-party cookies
• Receive notifications when cookies are set

Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of specific tracking services:

• Google Analytics: Use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Industry Tools: Visit optout.networkadvertising.org
• Do Not Track: Enable DNT header in your browser settings

We retain cookie data according to the following schedule:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Essential Cookies: Retained for up to 1 year
• Analytics Cookies: Retained for up to 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Functional Cookies: Retained for up to 1 year

Data is automatically purged after the retention period expires. You can delete cookies manually at any time through your browser settings or by withdrawing consent.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process cookie data based on:

Legitimate Interest

Essential cookies are processed based on our legitimate interest in providing a secure, functional website. This includes security measures, basic functionality, and fraud prevention.

Consent

Analytics and functional cookies require your explicit consent. We obtain this through our cookie banner and preference center, where you can grant or withdraw consent at any time.

Contractual Necessity

Some essential cookies may be necessary to fulfill our terms of service, particularly regarding security and proper website functionality.

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:

GDPR Rights (EU/EEA/UK Residents)

• Access: Request information about cookies and data processing
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate information
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
• Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Restrict: Limit how we process your data
• Withdraw Consent: Remove consent for optional cookies

CCPA Rights (California Residents)

• Know: What personal information we collect and how it's used
• Delete: Request deletion of personal information
• Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information
• Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 10. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law.

Some of our service providers may be located outside your country or region. When we transfer personal data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

• Adequacy Decisions: Transfers to countries with adequate data protection
• Standard Contractual Clauses: EU-approved contract terms for data protection
• Certification Schemes: Privacy Shield successors and similar frameworks
• Binding Corporate Rules: Internal data protection policies for multinational companies

You can request information about the specific safeguards used for your data by contacting us.

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations. When we make material changes:

• We will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy
• We will provide prominent notice on our website
• For significant changes, we may seek renewed consent
• We will notify you via email if you have subscribed to updates

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our cookie practices and your privacy choices.

For questions about this Cookie Policy, to exercise your privacy rights, or to report privacy concerns, please contact us:

Response Time: We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days. For urgent matters, please indicate "URGENT" in your subject line.

Data Protection Officer: If required by applicable law, you may also contact our Data Protection Officer at the email address above.

Cookies and Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through cookies. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

Automated Decision Making

We do not use cookies for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects. Our use of cookies is limited to the purposes outlined in this policy.

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect cookie data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes encryption, access controls, and regular security assessments.

Compliance Monitoring

We regularly review our cookie practices to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA, and other relevant frameworks.