Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how Varizutonsu Drawing Academy uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website. It describes what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them.

This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which provides additional information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

1. What Are Cookies?

1.1 Definition

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

1.2 Similar Technologies

We also use similar technologies such as:

• Web beacons (pixels): Small transparent images embedded in web pages or emails
• Local storage: Technology that allows websites to store data locally in your browser
• Session storage: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser
• SDKs: Software development kits that may collect information about how you use mobile applications

1.3 How Cookies Work

When you visit our website, we or our partners may place cookies on your device. These cookies can recognise your device on subsequent visits and remember information about your preferences and actions.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several important purposes:

2.1 Essential Functionality

• Enable basic website functions and navigation
• Remember your login status and preferences
• Maintain shopping cart contents
• Ensure website security and prevent fraud
• Load balance and optimise website performance

2.2 Analytics and Performance

• Understand how visitors use our website
• Measure website performance and identify areas for improvement
• Track user engagement with content and features
• Generate statistics about website usage patterns

2.3 Personalisation

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Provide personalised content recommendations
• Customise your user experience
• Remember your language and region preferences

2.4 Marketing and Advertising

• Deliver relevant advertisements
• Measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
• Prevent showing the same advertisement repeatedly
• Track conversions and attribution

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 By Duration

Session Cookies:

• Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Used for essential functions like maintaining your session
• Do not collect information from your computer

Persistent Cookies:

• Remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• Used for remembering preferences and returning visitor recognition
• Duration varies from days to years depending on purpose

3.2 By Origin

First-Party Cookies:

• Set directly by our website (varizutonsu.com)
• Used for core website functionality and our own analytics
• Necessary for providing our services

Third-Party Cookies:

• Set by external services we use (like Google Analytics)
• Used for analytics, advertising, and social media features
• Subject to the privacy policies of the third-party providers

4. Cookie Categories

5. Third-Party Cookies

We work with several third-party service providers who may set cookies on our website:

5.1 Analytics Providers

Google Analytics:

• Purpose: Website analytics and user behaviour tracking
• Cookies: _ga, _gid, _gat_gtag_*
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
• Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out

5.2 Advertising Platforms

Google Ads:

• Purpose: Advertising delivery and conversion tracking
• Cookies: Various Google advertising cookies
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

Facebook/Meta:

• Purpose: Social media integration and advertising
• Cookies: _fbp, _fbc, fr
• Privacy Policy: Meta Privacy Policy

5.3 Customer Support

Intercom/Zendesk:

• Purpose: Live chat and customer support
• Cookies: Session and preference cookies
• Privacy Policy: Check the specific provider's privacy policy

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Our Cookie Management Tool

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies: Enable all cookie categories
• Necessary cookies only: Enable only essential cookies
• Customise settings: Choose which categories to enable

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer or by clicking here.

6.2 Browser Settings

You can also control cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
2. Choose your preferred cookie settings
3. Manage exceptions for specific sites

Firefox:

1. Go to Options > Privacy & Security
2. Under Cookies and Site Data, choose your settings
3. Click "Manage Exceptions" for specific sites

Safari:

1. Go to Preferences > Privacy
2. Choose your cookie and website data settings
3. Click "Manage Website Data" for specific control

Edge:

1. Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions
2. Choose your cookie settings
3. Manage exceptions for specific sites

6.3 Mobile Devices

iOS Safari:

• Settings > Safari > Block All Cookies
• Choose your preferred setting

Android Chrome:

• Chrome app > Settings > Site settings > Cookies
• Toggle cookies on or off

6.4 Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience:

• Necessary cookies: May prevent core website functionality
• Analytics cookies: Won't affect functionality but prevents usage analysis
• Marketing cookies: May result in less relevant advertisements

7. Cookie Retention Periods

Different cookies are retained for different periods:

7.1 Session Cookies

• Duration: Until you close your browser
• Purpose: Temporary functionality during your visit

7.2 Short-term Persistent Cookies

• Duration: 1 day to 30 days
• Purpose: Remember recent preferences and activities

7.3 Medium-term Persistent Cookies

• Duration: 30 days to 1 year
• Purpose: User preferences and analytics

7.4 Long-term Persistent Cookies

• Duration: 1 year to 2 years
• Purpose: Long-term analytics and advertising

8. Updates to This Policy

8.1 Regular Reviews

We regularly review and update this Cookie Policy to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with applicable laws and regulations.

8.2 Notification of Changes

When we make material changes to this policy, we will:

• Update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page
• Post a notice on our website
• Send email notifications to registered users (for significant changes)
• Update our cookie banner to reflect new categories or purposes

8.3 Continued Use

Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.

9. Contact Information

Cookie-Related Inquiries

If you have questions about our use of cookies or need assistance with your cookie preferences, please contact us using the information above. We'll respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible.

Complaints

If you're not satisfied with our response to your cookie-related concerns, you may lodge a complaint with:

• Australian users: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
• European users: Your local Data Protection Authority