This Cookie Policy explains how CookWins uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website. Our mobile apps use different technologies covered in our Privacy Policy.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device (computer, phone, or tablet) when you visit them. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferred settings and browsing activity.
Types of Storage Technologies
Besides cookies, we may use:
- Local Storage: Stores data directly in your browser
- Session Storage: Temporary storage cleared when you close your browser
- IndexedDB: Structured database storage
- Web Beacons (Pixels): Tiny transparent images that track page views
For simplicity, we refer to all these as “cookies” in this policy.
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for three main purposes: Essential, Functional, and Analytics.
2.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. You cannot opt-out of these.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
fc-session |
Maintains your login session | Session | First-party |
fc-csrf |
Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks | Session | First-party |
fc-consent |
Remembers your cookie consent choices | 1 year | First-party |
fc-secure |
Ensures secure connection (HTTPS) | Session | First-party |
What they do:
- Keep you logged in as you navigate pages
- Protect against security threats
- Remember your cookie preferences
- Enable basic website functionality
Legal Basis: Necessary for contract performance (providing the service you requested)
2.2 Functional Cookies (Optional)
These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your preferences.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
fc-theme |
Remembers light/dark mode preference | 1 year | First-party |
fc-language |
Stores your language selection | 1 year | First-party |
fc-timezone |
Adjusts times to your timezone | 6 months | First-party |
fc-menu-state |
Remembers if navigation menu is expanded | Session | First-party |
What they do:
- Keep your theme (light/dark) consistent across visits
- Display content in your preferred language
- Show times in your local timezone
- Remember UI preferences
Legal Basis: Your consent (you can opt-out)
Disabling Impact: Website will still work, but you’ll need to reset preferences each visit.
2.3 Analytics Cookies (Optional)
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga |
Distinguishes unique users | 2 years | Google Analytics |
_ga_* |
Stores and counts pageviews | 2 years | Google Analytics |
_gid |
Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours | Google Analytics |
fc-analytics |
Tracks in-house analytics events | 30 days | First-party |
What they track:
- Pages you visit and how long you stay
- Links you click
- How you arrived at our site (referrer)
- Device type and browser
- General location (city/region, not GPS)
Privacy Protections:
- ✓ IP addresses are anonymized (last octet removed)
- ✓ We don’t track personally identifiable information
- ✓ Data is aggregated and anonymized
- ✓ We don’t share data with advertisers
- ✓ No cross-site tracking
Legal Basis: Your consent (you can opt-out)
Disabling Impact: We won’t know how you use the site, but functionality is unaffected.
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some third-party services may set cookies when you visit our website:
3.1 Google Fonts
- Purpose: Delivers font files efficiently
- Cookies: May set caching cookies
- Privacy: Google Fonts Privacy
- Opt-out: Not possible, but no tracking occurs
3.2 Google Analytics
- Purpose: Website usage analytics
- Cookies:
_ga,_gid,_gat - Privacy: IP anonymization enabled, no advertising features
- Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
3.3 Content Delivery Networks (CDN)
- Purpose: Fast delivery of website assets (CSS, JavaScript)
- Cookies: Minimal caching cookies
- Privacy: No personal data collected
- Providers: Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront
We do NOT use:
- ❌ Advertising cookies
- ❌ Social media tracking pixels (unless you explicitly share content)
- ❌ Third-party data brokers
- ❌ Cross-site tracking networks
4. Mobile App Technologies
Our iOS and Android apps do not use cookies (cookies are a web technology). Instead, they use:
4.1 Local Storage
- Purpose: Store preferences, saved recipes, offline data
- Location: Stored on your device only
- Privacy: Not transmitted to our servers
4.2 Analytics SDKs
- Purpose: Track app usage, crashes, and performance
- Providers: Mixpanel (analytics), Sentry (crash reporting)
- Data Collected: Anonymized usage events, device type, app version
- Opt-out: Settings → Privacy → Analytics (toggle off)
4.3 Push Notification Tokens
- Purpose: Send you notifications (challenges, recipe suggestions)
- Provider: Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) / Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)
- Opt-out: Device Settings → Notifications → CookWins (disable)
4.4 Advertising IDs
- We do NOT collect: Apple IDFA or Google Advertising ID
- No Ad Tracking: CookWins Premium is ad-free; Free tier shows non-targeted ads (no tracking)
See our full Privacy Policy for details.
5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
5.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit cookwins.com, you’ll see a cookie consent banner with options:
- Accept All: Enables all cookies (Essential, Functional, Analytics)
- Reject Non-Essential: Only Essential cookies (Functional and Analytics disabled)
- Customize: Choose which categories to enable
You can change your preferences anytime by clicking the cookie icon (🍪) in the footer.
5.2 Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser:
Google Chrome:
- Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Choose: “Block all cookies” or “Block third-party cookies”
- Manage exceptions for specific sites
Safari:
- Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Choose: “Block all cookies” or remove specific cookies
- Enable “Prevent cross-site tracking”
Firefox:
- Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Choose: “Block cookies” or “Delete cookies when Firefox is closed”
- Manage exceptions for specific sites
Microsoft Edge:
- Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions
- Choose: “Block all cookies” or “Block third-party cookies”
Mobile Browsers:
- iOS Safari: Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies
- Android Chrome: Settings → Site settings → Cookies
5.3 Opt-Out Tools
Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
Do Not Track (DNT): We respect browser DNT signals. If DNT is enabled, we disable analytics cookies.
5.4 Clear Existing Cookies
To delete cookies we’ve already set:
- Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Delete → Cookies and site data → Clear data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All
- Firefox: Ctrl+Shift+Delete → Cookies → Clear Now
6. Impact of Disabling Cookies
| Cookie Type | If Disabled |
|---|---|
| Essential | ❌ Website will not work properly (login fails, security issues) |
| Functional | ⚠️ Preferences reset each visit (theme, language) |
| Analytics | ✓ No impact on functionality, but we can’t improve UX |
Recommendation: Enable Essential and Functional cookies for the best experience. You can safely disable Analytics if privacy is your primary concern.
7. Cookie Lifespan
| Duration | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Session | Deleted when you close your browser | Login session, security tokens |
| 24 hours | Short-term tracking | Analytics user ID |
| 30 days | Medium-term preferences | Custom analytics events |
| 1 year | Long-term preferences | Theme, language, consent choices |
| 2 years | Analytics tracking | Google Analytics user ID |
You can clear all cookies anytime through your browser settings.
8. International Users
8.1 EU/EEA Users (GDPR)
Under GDPR, you have the right to:
- Consent: We ask for consent before setting non-essential cookies
- Withdraw: Change your mind anytime via cookie settings
- Access: Request information about cookies we’ve set
- Object: Opt-out of analytics and functional cookies
Our legal basis:
- Essential cookies: Legitimate interest (necessary for service)
- Functional/Analytics cookies: Your consent
8.2 California Users (CCPA)
Under CCPA, cookies may be considered “personal information.” You have the right to:
- Know what information we collect via cookies
- Opt-out of “sale” (note: we don’t sell cookie data)
- Request deletion of cookie data
8.3 Brazil Users (LGPD)
We comply with Brazil’s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD). You have similar rights to GDPR users regarding consent and data control.
9. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed at children under 13 (or 16 in Europe). We do not knowingly use cookies to collect data from children. If you’re a parent and believe your child has used our site, contact privacy@cookwins.com.
10. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
- New cookie technologies
- Changes in legal requirements
- Improvements to privacy practices
Notification:
- Updated “Effective Date” at the top
- Significant changes announced via email or website banner
- Previous versions available upon request
11. Contact Us
Questions About Cookies?
- Email: privacy@cookwins.com
- Subject Line: “Cookie Policy Inquiry”
- Response Time: Within 30 days
Mailing Address
CookWins Privacy Officer Alberweg 1 9470 Buchs SG Switzerland
For EU/Swiss Residents
For data protection inquiries: privacy@cookwins.com
12. Related Policies
For more information about how we protect your privacy:
- Privacy Policy - Our overall data practices
- Terms of Service - Rules for using CookWins
- Data Deletion Policy - How to delete your data