1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit our website. They contain information about your browsing activity and preferences. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Similar technologies include:

  • Local Storage: Browser storage similar to cookies but with larger capacity
  • Web Beacons: Small tracking pixels embedded in images or pages
  • Session Storage: Temporary storage cleared when you close the browser

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

2.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable you to:

  • Navigate through the website
  • Access secure areas
  • Maintain your session
  • Implement security measures

Cookie Names: session_id, csrf_token, preferences

2.2 Performance & Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how users interact with our website, including:

  • Number of visitors and visit frequency
  • Time spent on pages
  • Pages visited and click patterns
  • Browser and device information
  • Traffic source and navigation paths

Used By: Google Analytics, Mixpanel

Cookie Names: _ga, _gid, _gat, mp_*

2.3 Preference Cookies

These cookies remember your choices to provide a personalized experience:

  • Theme preference (light/dark mode)
  • Language selection
  • Font size preferences
  • Previously viewed articles
  • Search history (optional)

Cookie Names: theme_preference, language_choice, font_size

2.4 Marketing & Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used for marketing and advertising purposes (only with your consent):

  • Serving targeted advertisements
  • Measuring advertising campaign effectiveness
  • Creating audience segments
  • Retargeting based on browsing behavior

Used By: Google Ads, Facebook Pixel

Status: Only set if you accept marketing cookies

3. Cookie Details

Cookie Name Type Purpose Expiration
session_id Essential Maintains user session Session
theme_preference Preference Remembers light/dark mode choice 1 year
language_choice Preference Stores language selection 1 year
cookies_accepted Essential Tracks cookie consent status 1 year
_ga Analytics Google Analytics user tracking 2 years
_gid Analytics Google Analytics session tracking 24 hours
_gat Analytics Throttles Google Analytics data 1 minute

3.5 GDPR Legal Basis for Cookies

Under GDPR, we require a lawful basis to set cookies on your device. Here is our legal basis for each cookie type:

Cookie Type GDPR Legal Basis Consent Required? Essential for Site?
Essential/Session Art. 6(1)(b) - Contractual necessity No * Yes
Security/CSRF Art. 6(1)(f) - Legitimate interest No * Yes
Preference/Theme Art. 6(1)(a) - User consent Recommended No
Analytics (Google) Art. 6(1)(a) - User consent Yes No
Marketing/Advertising Art. 6(1)(a) - User consent Yes No

Note: * Essential cookies for functionality and security do not technically require explicit consent under GDPR because they fall under "technical cookies," but we inform you for transparency.

3.6 How to Withdraw Consent (Art. 7)

You can withdraw your consent to non-essential cookies at any time by:

  • Clicking the cookie preferences button on our website
  • Using browser settings to delete specific cookies
  • Emailing us at hamlet07@o2.pl

Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal.

We use third-party services that may set their own cookies:

4.1 Google Analytics

Purpose: Website traffic analysis and user behavior tracking

Cookies: _ga, _gid, _gat, _gac_*

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

4.2 Cloudflare

Purpose: CDN and security services

Cookies: __cfruid, __cfduid

Privacy: Cloudflare Cookie Policy

4.3 Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Purpose: Cloud hosting and CDN

Privacy: AWS Privacy Policy

5. How to Control Cookies

5.1 Browser Controls

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
  • Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data
  • Internet Explorer: Tools → Internet Options → General tab → Cookies

5.2 Our Cookie Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can:

  • Accept All: Accept all cookies including analytics and marketing
  • Reject: Decline all non-essential cookies
  • Manage: Customize your cookie preferences

5.3 Changing Your Preferences

If you've already made a choice, you can update your preferences by:

  • Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site
  • Clicking the cookie preferences button (usually at the bottom of the page)
  • Using browser settings to block specific domains

5.4 Do Not Track (DNT)

If your browser supports Do Not Track signals, we will respect your DNT preference for analytics and marketing cookies. However, we may still use essential cookies for site functionality.

6. Cookie Consent and Legal Compliance

We comply with international cookie regulations including:

  • GDPR (EU): Explicit consent required before non-essential cookies
  • CCPA (California): Right to opt-out of cookie sales
  • PIPEDA (Canada): Consent required for tracking cookies
  • ePrivacy Directive: Consent for storage and retrieval of information

We will not set non-essential cookies without your explicit consent.

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable cookies, some features of our website may not work properly:

  • Your theme preference (light/dark) won't be saved
  • Language selection may reset on each visit
  • We won't be able to analyze traffic and improve the service
  • Some security features may be affected

However, the essential functions of the website should still work.

8. Data Retention

Cookies are retained based on their type:

  • Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
  • Persistent Cookies: Retained for the duration specified in the cookie details
  • Analytics Data: Retained for up to 26 months (Google Analytics default)

You can delete cookies manually from your browser settings at any time.

9. Security

We use secure methods for storing and transmitting cookie data:

  • Cookies are only set over HTTPS connections
  • Sensitive cookies use secure and HttpOnly flags
  • Regular security audits of cookie implementation
  • Compliance with industry security standards

10. International Transfers

Some of our cookie data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your location, including the United States. These countries may have different data protection laws. By accepting cookies, you consent to such transfers.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy as our use of cookies changes. Significant changes will be notified via email or prominent website notice. Your continued use of our website after changes signifies acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about our cookie practices, please contact us at:

Spanish Learning Hub

Email: hamlet07@o2.pl

Website: spanish-learning-hub.hamlet07.link

13. Additional Resources