Effective Date: August 15, 2026
1. PURPOSE This Cookie Policy explains how the Platform uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize devices, support website functionality, enhance user experience, analyze usage patterns, and assist in maintaining the security of the Services.
This Policy is intended to provide transparency regarding the technologies deployed on the Platform and the choices available to Users.
2. WHAT ARE COOKIES Cookies are small text files placed on a device when visiting a website. Cookies enable websites to function efficiently, remember user preferences, support security features, and collect operational analytics.
Similar technologies such as local storage, pixels, tags, and software development kits (SDKs) may be used for comparable purposes. For simplicity, this Policy refers to all such technologies collectively as “cookies.”
3. LEGAL BASIS FOR COOKIE USE Where required by applicable data protection and ePrivacy laws, the Platform obtains user consent before placing non-essential cookies on a device.
Strictly Necessary Cookies: Do not require consent where they are essential for the operation, security, or delivery of the Services. Where legally required, strictly necessary cookies are deployed on the basis of the Platform’s legitimate interest, where permitted by applicable law, in ensuring the secure and effective operation of the Services; and
Consent Withdrawal: Users may withdraw or modify consent at any time through the available cookie management tools.
4. CATEGORIES OF COOKIES USED The Platform may use the following categories of cookies:
Actual cookie usage may vary depending on platform functionality and operational requirements. The Platform does not use cookies for purposes materially different from those disclosed in this Policy without providing additional notice where required by law.
Strictly Necessary Cookies: Required for core website functionality and cannot be disabled without affecting the operation of the Services. They support authentication, session management, fraud prevention, security controls, and network management.
Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced functionality such as remembering preferences, language settings, and configuration choices.
Analytics Cookies: Help the Platform understand how visitors interact with the Services. Information collected is typically aggregated and used to improve performance, usability, and reliability.
Security Cookies: Assist in detecting malicious activity, preventing abuse, and protecting platform integrity.
Performance Cookies: Support load balancing, traffic routing, and service optimization.
The Platform does not use cookies to access information stored on a device beyond what is reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy.
5. THIRD-PARTY COOKIES Some cookies may be placed by carefully selected third-party service providers acting on the Platform’s instructions or under their own privacy terms, as applicable, that support analytics, infrastructure operations, security functions, or embedded services.
Third-party providers are selected with consideration for their privacy and security posture. The Platform does not control the lifecycle, retention practices, or security configurations of third-party cookies. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of those providers for additional information regarding their practices.
6. COOKIE DURATION Cookies may be either:
Session Cookies: Deleted automatically when the browser is closed; or
Persistent Cookies: Stored on a device for a defined period or until manually deleted.
Retention periods vary depending on the purpose of the cookie and operational necessity.
7. MANAGING COOKIE PREFERENCES Users can manage cookie preferences through the Platform’s consent interface where available. Where required by applicable law, non-essential cookies will not be placed on a device until valid consent has been obtained.
Most browsers also allow control of cookies through settings that enable Users to block or delete cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality and limit access to some features. The Platform shall not be responsible for degraded performance or functionality resulting from user-imposed browser restrictions or consent withdrawals.
8. DO NOT TRACK SIGNALS Some browsers transmit “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. Because there is no universally accepted standard for interpreting these signals, the Platform does not currently respond to DNT mechanisms unless required by applicable law.
9. DATA PROTECTION Information collected through cookies may constitute personal data under applicable privacy laws. Where this occurs, such data is handled in accordance with the Platform’s Privacy Notice and the Compliance, Privacy and Data Protection Framework (Document 5.9).
10. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS Cookies or similar technologies operated by third-party providers may involve the transfer of information to jurisdictions that may not provide an equivalent level of data protection as the User’s home jurisdiction. Where such transfers occur, the Platform implements safeguards intended to support lawful data transfer mechanisms in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
11. AUDIT & COMPLIANCE LOGGING To meet regulatory transparency requirements, the Platform may maintain logs of cookie consent preferences. These logs are:
Protected against unauthorized modification;
Retained in accordance with statutory requirements; and
Used solely for demonstrating compliance with data protection laws.