Cookie Policy
Last Updated: March 2025
This policy explains how Colonest uses tracking technologies on our website. We believe transparency matters when it comes to your browsing data. You'll find straightforward information here about what we track, why we do it, and how you can control these settings.
What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device. They help sites remember your preferences and understand how you interact with content. Beyond traditional cookies, we also use web beacons, pixels, and local storage technologies.
These tools serve different purposes. Some are essential for basic site functions. Others help us improve your experience or understand which content resonates with visitors. Not all tracking technologies are created equal, and we'll break down exactly what we use.
Types of Tracking We Use
Essential Cookies
These keep the site working properly. They handle security, load balancing, and maintain your session as you navigate between pages. Without these, basic features wouldn't function.
Functional Cookies
These remember your choices and preferences. Things like language settings, form data you've entered, or content you've bookmarked. They make your experience more personalized.
Analytics Cookies
We use these to understand visitor behavior. Which pages get attention? Where do people spend time? This data helps us improve content and identify what works.
Marketing Cookies
These track your interests across visits. They help us show relevant content and measure campaign effectiveness. You can opt out of these while still using our site normally.
Specific Cookies We Deploy
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | Maintains your active session | Session | Essential |
| user_preferences | Stores your display and content preferences | 1 year | Functional |
| analytics_token | Tracks page views and user flow | 2 years | Analytics |
| form_progress | Saves partially completed forms | 30 days | Functional |
| campaign_source | Identifies how you found our site | 90 days | Marketing |
| consent_status | Records your cookie preferences | 1 year | Essential |
How Tracking Enhances Your Experience
- Personalized Content: We show educational resources that match your interests and learning stage, based on pages you've viewed previously.
- Form Convenience: If you start filling out a contact form but don't finish, we'll save your progress so you don't have to start over.
- Performance Optimization: Analytics help us identify slow-loading pages or broken links that need fixing.
- Content Development: Understanding which topics generate interest guides our decisions about future educational content.
- Security Protection: Cookies help us detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate security threats or automated bots.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have control over which cookies you accept. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through their settings menu. Keep in mind that blocking essential cookies may affect site functionality.
Third-Party Tracking
Some cookies come from services we integrate with rather than directly from Colonest. These might include analytics platforms, content delivery networks, or embedded media players. We carefully vet third-party services, but they operate under their own privacy policies.
Third-party cookies typically track your activity across multiple websites, not just ours. If you want to limit this type of tracking, browser settings and privacy extensions can help.
Data Retention and Storage
Different cookies have different lifespans. Session cookies disappear when you close your browser. Persistent cookies stick around for a set period, which varies based on their purpose.
We regularly review and purge old cookie data. Analytics information gets aggregated and anonymized over time. Personal preferences stay active as long as they're useful to you.
Canadian privacy laws give you specific rights regarding your data. You can request to see what information we've collected, ask us to delete it, or withdraw consent for non-essential tracking. These rights apply whether you're browsing from Ontario or anywhere else in Canada.
Mobile and App Tracking
While this policy focuses on website cookies, similar technologies exist for mobile devices. If you access Colonest through a mobile browser, the same cookie principles apply. Mobile apps use different identifiers, which would be covered under separate app-specific policies.
Updates to This Policy
Technology evolves, and so do our practices. We'll update this policy when we make significant changes to how we use cookies. The date at the top shows when we last revised it. Major updates will be announced through site notifications or email if you're on our mailing list.
Questions About Our Cookie Use
If something in this policy isn't clear, or you have specific concerns about tracking on our site, reach out. We're here to help you understand exactly what data we collect and why.