Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They contain information about your browsing behavior and preferences. Cookies are widely used to remember information about users, enhance user experience, track traffic patterns, and deliver targeted content. They are an essential part of how the internet works and allow websites to distinguish between different users.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

Session Cookies: These temporary cookies are stored only during your browsing session and are deleted when you close your browser. We use session cookies to maintain your login status, preserve form data, and track your navigation through the Service.

Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a specified period, even after you close your browser. We use persistent cookies to remember your preferences, login information, and language settings across multiple visits.

First-Party Cookies: Set directly by HomeSphere AI, these cookies remember your preferences and usage patterns specific to our Service.

Third-Party Cookies: Set by external service providers (analytics, advertising networks), these cookies track your behavior across multiple websites to provide targeted advertising and aggregate usage data.

Essential Cookies: Required for basic functionality including authentication, security, and core service features.

Analytics Cookies: Track how you use our Service to help us understand user behavior, identify technical issues, and optimize performance.

Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver personalized advertising and measure campaign effectiveness.

3. Specific Cookies We Use

• session_id: Maintains your login session (expires at session end)
• user_preferences: Stores your UI preferences and language choice (365 days)
• analytics_uuid: Unique identifier for analytics tracking (2 years)
• device_fingerprint: Security cookie for fraud detection (30 days)
• utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign: Tracks marketing campaign sources
• cookie_consent: Records your cookie consent preferences (1 year)
• _ga, _gid: Google Analytics cookies for usage metrics

4. Why We Use Cookies

Authentication and Security: Cookies verify your identity and maintain secure sessions, preventing unauthorized access to your account.

Service Functionality: Essential cookies enable core features like maintaining your login, saving preferences, and ensuring consistent experience across pages.

Performance Optimization: Analytics cookies help us identify performance issues, understand usage patterns, and optimize the Service for better user experience.

Personalization: We use cookies to remember your settings, language preference, and device configuration to provide a customized experience.

Marketing and Analytics: Cookies help us measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and understand which features are most valuable to users.

Fraud Prevention: Security cookies detect suspicious activity and help protect against unauthorized access and abuse.

5. Third-Party Services and Cookies

HomeSphere AI uses the following third-party services that may set cookies:

• Google Analytics: Tracks aggregate usage data and user behavior patterns. Visit their cookie policy at policies.google.com/technologies/cookies.
• Stripe: Processes payment information securely. See stripe.com/cookies-policy for details.
• Hotjar: Records user sessions to understand behavior and improve UX. Learn more at hotjar.com/legal/policies/cookie-policy.
• SendGrid: Manages email communications and tracking. Details at sendgrid.com/policies.

These services operate under their own privacy and cookie policies, which we encourage you to review.

6. Cookie Consent and Your Choices

When you first visit our website, we display a cookie consent banner explaining our cookie usage. By clicking "Accept All," you consent to all cookies described in this policy. By clicking "Reject," we set only essential cookies required for the Service to function.

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by accessing your account settings or contacting us at [email protected]. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect functionality and user experience.

7. Browser Controls and Opt-Out

Most web browsers allow you to manage 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

You can also opt out of analytics cookies using the industry standard Do Not Track (DNT) signal, though not all websites respect this setting.

8. Google Analytics Opt-Out

If you prefer not to be tracked by Google Analytics, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. Visit tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout to download and install the extension for your browser.

9. Local Storage and Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies including local storage, web beacons, pixels, and similar technologies. These work similarly to cookies and store data on your device to enhance user experience and track behavior. You can clear local storage through your browser settings.

10. Cross-Domain Tracking

HomeSphere AI may track your behavior across multiple pages and sessions to provide a consistent experience. This includes tracking interactions on our website, mobile apps, and related services. Cross-domain tracking helps us understand the full user journey and improve our Services.

11. International Compliance

HomeSphere AI complies with cookie regulations in multiple jurisdictions:

• GDPR (EU/EEA): We obtain explicit consent before setting non-essential cookies for EU users
• CCPA (California): California residents have the right to know about and control cookie usage
• PIPEDA (Canada): We comply with Canadian privacy laws regarding cookie tracking

Users from these regions will see region-specific consent options and opt-out mechanisms.

12. Changes to Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices. We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Last updated" date and posting the revised policy. Your continued use of our Service constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Cookie Duration and Expiration

Essential cookies for authentication and security expire when you log out or close your browser. Preference cookies typically expire after 365 days. Analytics cookies expire after 2 years. Marketing cookies vary by third-party provider but typically expire within 90 days to 2 years. You can clear expired or active cookies at any time through browser settings.

14. Contact and Support

If you have questions about our Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +1 (416) 555-0198
• Mailing Address: 100 King St W, Toronto, ON M5X 1A9, Canada

We're happy to explain any cookies and how they enhance your experience with HomeSphere AI.