Cookie Policy
Effective Date: January 15, 2025
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit our website. They contain information that is transferred to your device's hard drive and allow us to recognize your device and store information about your preferences and actions.
How We Use Cookies
GiftDande.org uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Ensure our website functions properly and securely
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Analyze how visitors use our website to improve user experience
- Provide personalized content and recommendations
- Measure the effectiveness of our educational content
- Protect against fraud and enhance security
Types of Cookies We Use
🔧 Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and cannot be disabled:
- Session Cookies: Maintain your session while browsing
- Security Cookies: Protect against cross-site request forgery
- Load Balancing: Distribute traffic across our servers
- Cookie Consent: Remember your cookie preferences
Duration: Session cookies expire when you close your browser; others typically last 30 days.
📊 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website:
- Google Analytics: Website traffic and user behavior analysis
- Page Views: Track which pages are most visited
- User Journey: Understand how users navigate our site
- Performance Metrics: Monitor site speed and functionality
Duration: Typically 2 years from your last visit
Opt-out: You can disable these through browser settings or cookie preferences
⚙️ Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance your browsing experience by remembering your choices:
- Language Preferences: Remember your preferred language
- Font Size: Maintain accessibility settings
- Form Data: Remember information you've entered in forms
- Newsletter Preferences: Store your subscription choices
Duration: Typically 1 year or until you change your preferences
📢 Marketing Cookies (Optional)
These cookies are used to deliver relevant content and measure campaign effectiveness:
- Content Personalization: Show relevant educational content
- Newsletter Tracking: Measure email campaign effectiveness
- Social Media Integration: Enable sharing functionality
- Conversion Tracking: Measure newsletter signup success
Duration: Typically 30 days to 2 years
Consent Required: These cookies require your explicit consent
Third-Party Cookies
We may use third-party services that place cookies on your device:
Google Analytics
- Purpose: Website analytics and performance monitoring
- Data Collected: Anonymous usage statistics, page views, session duration
- Privacy: IP addresses are anonymized
- Opt-out: Available through Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on
Social Media Platforms
- Purpose: Enable content sharing and social media features
- Platforms: May include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn sharing buttons
- Control: Managed through respective platform privacy settings
Cookie Management
Your Choices
You have several options for managing cookies:
- Cookie Preferences: Use our cookie preference center
- Browser Settings: Configure cookie settings in your browser
- Third-Party Opt-outs: Use platform-specific opt-out tools
- Private Browsing: Use incognito or private browsing mode
Browser-Specific Instructions
Google Chrome
Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
Mozilla Firefox
Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari
Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
Microsoft Edge
Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
Impact of Cookie Settings
Disabling Essential Cookies
Warning: Disabling essential cookies may result in:
- Website functionality issues
- Inability to access certain features
- Security vulnerability warnings
- Need to re-enter information repeatedly
Disabling Analytics Cookies
Disabling analytics cookies will:
- Prevent us from understanding how you use our website
- Limit our ability to improve user experience
- Not affect website functionality
- Maintain your privacy preferences
Mobile Devices
For mobile devices, cookie management varies by browser and operating system:
iOS Devices
- Safari: Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies
- Chrome: Chrome App → Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data
Android Devices
- Chrome: Chrome Menu → Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data
- Firefox: Menu → Settings → Privacy → Clear Private Data
Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies:
Web Beacons
- Small transparent images that track page views
- Used in conjunction with cookies for analytics
- Help measure email campaign effectiveness
Local Storage
- Stores data locally in your browser
- Persists longer than session cookies
- Used for performance optimization
Session Storage
- Temporary storage during your session
- Automatically cleared when you close the browser
- Used for form data and user preferences
Data Security
We implement security measures to protect cookie data:
- Encryption: Sensitive cookie data is encrypted
- Secure Flags: Cookies transmitted over HTTPS only
- HttpOnly Flags: Prevents JavaScript access to sensitive cookies
- SameSite Attributes: Protects against cross-site request forgery
International Transfers
Some cookies may involve data transfers to countries outside your jurisdiction. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:
- Data processing agreements with third-party providers
- Compliance with international data protection standards
- Regular review of third-party privacy practices
Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through cookies. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
- Changes in our cookie usage practices
- New technologies or tracking methods
- Legal or regulatory requirements
- User feedback and privacy concerns
Material changes will be communicated through website notifications and email updates to subscribers.
Contact Information
For questions about our cookie practices or to exercise your rights:
Privacy Officer
GiftDande.org LLC
4567 Commerce Tower, Floor 12
Houston, TX 77002
United States
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (214) 521-8394
Response Time: Within 30 days of receipt
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding cookies and personal data:
- Access: Information about cookies placed on your device
- Control: Manage cookie preferences and consent
- Deletion: Request removal of certain cookies and data
- Objection: Object to certain types of tracking
- Withdrawal: Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies
Compliance
This Cookie Policy is designed to comply with:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
- ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law)
- Other applicable privacy regulations
This Cookie Policy was last updated on January 15, 2025.
