How We Use Cookies

1. What Are Cookies?

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

Cookies can be first-party (set by us) or third-party (set by services we use, such as Stripe or analytics providers). They can be session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (remain for a set period).

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the Platform to function. They enable core features such as authentication, session management, and security. Without these cookies, the Platform cannot operate properly.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
PHPSESSID	Maintains your login session across pages	Session	Essential
XSRF-TOKEN	CSRF protection token for form submissions	Session	Essential
remember_token	Stores encrypted "Remember Me" login preference	30 days	Essential

2.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your preferences, theme selection (dark/light mode), and UI customizations.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
theme	Remembers your dark/light mode preference	1 year	Functional
cookie_consent	Stores your cookie consent preferences	1 year	Functional

2.3 Analytics Cookies (Optional)

We use these cookies to understand how visitors interact with our Platform, which pages are most popular, and where users encounter errors. This helps us improve the Platform. All data is collected in anonymized, aggregate form.

Provider	Purpose	Duration	Type
Google Analytics	Anonymized page views, session duration, user flow	Up to 26 months	Analytics

2.4 Third-Party Cookies

Some third-party services we use may set their own cookies:

• Stripe: Sets cookies for fraud prevention, session management, and payment processing. These are essential for payment functionality. See Stripe's Cookie Policy.
• Google Fonts: May set cookies to optimize font delivery.
• Font Awesome: CDN-based icon delivery (does not set tracking cookies).

3. Cookie Consent

3.1 Your Choices

When you first visit our Platform, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

• Accept All: Consent to all cookies, including analytics.
• Reject Non-Essential: Accept only essential and functional cookies.
• Customize: Select which categories of cookies you wish to allow.

Your choice is stored in a cookie and remembered for 12 months. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer.

3.2 Managing Cookies via Browser

Most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies. The method varies by browser:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
• Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

Note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent the Platform from functioning correctly.

4. Legal Basis (GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Essential/Functional Cookies: Necessary for the operation of the service (Article 6(1)(b) — contract performance). No consent required.
• Analytics Cookies: Relied on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) and ePrivacy Directive). You may withdraw consent at any time.

5. CCPA Compliance (California)

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), cookies that collect personal information may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of data. We do not sell your personal information. Our analytics cookies are used solely for Platform improvement and are not shared with third parties for their own purposes.

6. Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use:

• Local Storage: To remember your theme preference and UI state (dark/light mode). This data stays on your device.
• Session Storage: Temporary data stored during your browsing session, cleared when you close the browser.
• Web Beacons/Pixels: Small graphic images in emails to track delivery and open rates. Used only for transactional emails (account verification, password reset).

7. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our practices. When we make material changes, we will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on the Platform. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy: