Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and provide personalized content. By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic functions like page navigation, access to secure areas of the website, and remembering your cookie preferences. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

2.2 Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. These cookies collect information about how visitors use the site, including:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• How visitors arrived at the website
• General geographic location (country/city level)
• Device and browser information

Google Analytics cookies used:

• _ga - Distinguishes unique users (expires after 2 years)
• _ga_[ID] - Stores session state (expires after 2 years)
• _gid - Distinguishes unique users (expires after 24 hours)

2.3 Security Cookies

We use reCAPTCHA to protect our website from spam and abuse. reCAPTCHA may set cookies to analyze traffic and determine whether users are human or automated bots.

reCAPTCHA cookies used:

• NID - Google's reCAPTCHA cookie (expires after 6 months)
• _GRECAPTCHA - reCAPTCHA session cookie (expires when browser closes)

3. GDPR Compliance

We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

3.1 Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on:

• Legitimate Interest: For analytics cookies to improve our website
• Consent: For non-essential cookies (you can withdraw consent at any time)

3.2 Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to Access: You can request information about the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate personal data
• Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request limitation of processing
• Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a structured format
• Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw consent for cookies at any time

4. Cookie Consent Management

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner asking for your preferences. You can:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences

4.1 Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer
• Using your browser settings to block or delete cookies
• Contacting us directly

4.2 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Set up notifications when cookies are set

5. Third-Party Cookies

We use the following third-party services that may set cookies:

5.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website usage. Google Analytics may transfer data to Google servers in the United States. Google is certified under the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework.

For more information about Google Analytics cookies, visit: Google Analytics Cookie Usage

5.2 Google reCAPTCHA

We use Google reCAPTCHA to protect our website from spam and abuse. reCAPTCHA is subject to Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

For more information about reCAPTCHA, visit: Google reCAPTCHA

6. Data Retention

We retain cookie data for the following periods:

• Analytics data: Up to 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Session cookies: Until browser session ends
• Preference cookies: Until you change your preferences or clear your browser data

7. International Data Transfers

Some of our third-party services (Google Analytics, reCAPTCHA) may transfer data to servers outside the European Economic Area (EEA). We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.

8. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16.

9. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Cookie Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us through the website.