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Cookie Policy

Last updated: April 16, 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how thelocalstory ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit or interact with our platform at thelocalstory.gift. By continuing to use our platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy.

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website or use an online service. They allow the platform to recognize your device, remember your preferences, and provide a more personalized experience during your session and across future visits.

Cookies may be set by us (first-party cookies) or by third-party service providers operating on our behalf (third-party cookies). They can be temporary (session cookies) or persistent, remaining on your device for a defined period or until you delete them manually.

2. Similar Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies that function in a similar way, including:

All references to "cookies" in this policy apply equally to these similar technologies unless stated otherwise.

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the platform to function properly. Without them, core services such as account authentication, session management, security verification, and access to restricted content cannot be delivered. These cookies do not require your consent and cannot be disabled through our cookie preferences tool, as doing so would prevent the platform from operating.

3.2 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow us to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, personalized features. For example, they may remember your language preference, your selected learning path, your time zone, or other interface settings. Disabling these cookies may affect the level of personalization available to you.

3.3 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect aggregated, anonymized information about how visitors use our platform, including which pages are visited most frequently, how long users spend on each page, error messages encountered, and the flow of navigation through the site. This data helps us improve the structure, performance, and content of the platform. No personally identifiable information is collected through these cookies without your consent.

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

Marketing cookies track your browsing activity across our platform and third-party websites to deliver advertisements and promotional content that are relevant to your interests. They also help us measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. These cookies may be set by our advertising partners and share data with those partners.

3.5 Third-Party Cookies

We integrate third-party tools and services, including payment processors, video streaming providers, live session tools, and analytics platforms. These providers may set their own cookies on your device subject to their independent privacy and cookie policies. We encourage you to review those policies directly, as we do not control the behavior of third-party cookies.

4. Cookie Inventory

The table below provides a representative overview of the types of cookies used on our platform. Specific cookie names and durations may vary as our services are updated.

Cookie Category Purpose Type Typical Duration
Authentication Maintains logged-in state and session security First-party, Necessary Session / Up to 30 days
Security Prevents cross-site request forgery and detects abuse First-party, Necessary Session
Language & Region Stores your language and locale preferences First-party, Functional Up to 12 months
Learning Progress Remembers course progress and session preferences First-party, Functional Up to 12 months
Analytics Collects anonymized usage statistics Third-party, Performance Up to 24 months
Advertising Tracks browsing behavior for targeted ads Third-party, Marketing Up to 12 months
Live Session Tools Supports video and interactive classroom features Third-party, Functional Session
Payment Processing Facilitates secure payment transactions Third-party, Necessary Session

5. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

We use cookies on the following legal grounds:

Where we rely on consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

6. Your Cookie Choices and Controls

6.1 Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit our platform, a cookie banner will be displayed allowing you to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences by category. Your selection will be stored and applied consistently during your use of the platform. You may revisit and modify your preferences at any time using the cookie settings link available in the footer of our site.

6.2 Browser-Level Controls

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically configure your browser to block cookies, delete existing cookies, or alert you when a cookie is being set. The specific steps vary by browser and version. Commonly used browsers include:

Please refer to the help documentation of your specific browser for instructions. Note that blocking all cookies may significantly impair the functionality of our platform.

6.3 Mobile Device Settings

On mobile devices, you may also control certain tracking technologies through your device's operating system settings, including limiting ad tracking or resetting your advertising identifier.

6.4 Opt-Out Tools for Analytics and Advertising

For third-party analytics and advertising cookies, you may opt out using tools provided by those services. Many advertising networks also participate in industry opt-out initiatives that allow you to manage preferences across multiple providers simultaneously.

7. Cookies and Personal Data

Some cookies process personal data, such as a unique identifier associated with your account or your IP address. When cookies collect, store, or transmit personal data, such processing is governed by our Privacy Policy. We treat cookie-related personal data with the same care and safeguards as all other personal data we process.

Cookie data may be stored on servers located in multiple regions to support our global operations. Where personal data is transferred across borders, we implement appropriate safeguards to ensure the data remains protected in accordance with applicable data protection principles.

8. Cookies in Communications

Our email communications may include tracking pixels or similar technologies that allow us to determine whether an email was opened and whether any links were clicked. This information helps us assess the relevance and effectiveness of our communications. If you prefer not to be tracked in this way, you may disable image loading in your email client settings or use the unsubscribe option to stop receiving marketing communications.

9. Third-Party Websites and Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites, tools, or embedded content. These third parties operate independently and may set their own cookies subject to their own privacy and cookie policies. We are not responsible for the cookie practices of third-party sites, and we encourage you to review their policies before interacting with their content.

10. Children and Cookies

Our platform is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly use marketing or tracking cookies to collect data from individuals in this age group. If you believe a child has been subject to such data collection, please contact us promptly and we will take appropriate action to address the concern.

11. Retention of Cookie Data

Cookie data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, consistent with the duration specified in the cookie inventory above or as required to comply with legal obligations. When data is no longer needed, it is deleted or anonymized in line with our standard data retention practices.

12. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the technologies we use, the services we provide, or applicable legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

If changes are significant, we may notify you through a notice on our platform or by direct communication where appropriate. Your continued use of the platform after any changes constitutes acknowledgment of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or how we handle cookie-related data, please contact us using the details below:

We aim to respond to all inquiries within a reasonable timeframe and are committed to addressing your concerns in a transparent and timely manner.