Cookie Policy
Last Updated: December 2024
Privacy-First Approach: We use privacy-respecting analytics that don't require cookies or collect personal data. This policy explains our approach to tracking and analytics.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners about how users interact with their sites.
Cookies can be "persistent" (remaining on your device until they expire or are deleted) or "session" cookies (deleted when you close your browser). They can also be "first-party" (set by the website you're visiting) or "third-party" (set by other websites).
2. How We Use Cookies
Thinking in Public uses cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:
- To provide essential platform functionality
- To remember your preferences and settings
- To analyze how our platform is used
- To improve our services and user experience
- To provide personalized content and recommendations
- To measure the effectiveness of our marketing efforts
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the platform to function properly and cannot be disabled. They include:
- Authentication: Keep you logged in to your account
- Security: Protect against cross-site request forgery
- Load Balancing: Distribute traffic across our servers
- Session Management: Maintain your session state
3.2 Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance functionality and personalization but are not essential. They include:
- Preferences: Remember your language, theme, and display settings
- Customization: Store your dashboard layout and preferences
- Accessibility: Remember accessibility settings and preferences
- Regional Settings: Store timezone and location preferences
3.3 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how users interact with our platform. They include:
- Google Analytics: Track page views, user behavior, and site performance
- Usage Metrics: Measure feature adoption and user engagement
- Performance Monitoring: Track page load times and errors
- A/B Testing: Test different versions of features and content
3.4 Marketing Cookies
These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and track marketing effectiveness:
- Advertising: Show relevant ads on other websites
- Retargeting: Display targeted content to previous visitors
- Campaign Tracking: Measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
- Social Media: Enable sharing and social media integration
4. Third-Party Cookies
We work with trusted third-party service providers who may set cookies on our platform. These include:
4.1 Analytics Providers
- Google Analytics: Web analytics and user behavior tracking
- Mixpanel: Product analytics and user engagement metrics
- Hotjar: User experience analytics and feedback collection
4.2 Support and Communication
- Intercom: Customer support chat and messaging
- Zendesk: Help desk and support ticket management
- Mailchimp: Email marketing and newsletter delivery
4.3 Infrastructure and Security
- Cloudflare: Content delivery and security services
- AWS: Cloud hosting and infrastructure services
- Stripe: Payment processing and fraud prevention
5. Cookie Consent and Control
5.1 Your Consent
When you first visit our platform, we'll ask for your consent to use non-essential cookies. You can:
- Accept all cookies
- Accept only essential cookies
- Customize your cookie preferences
- Change your preferences at any time
5.2 Managing Cookie Preferences
You can manage your cookie preferences in several ways:
- Cookie Settings: Use our cookie preference center (accessible from the footer)
- Account Settings: Adjust privacy settings in your user account
- Browser Settings: Configure cookie settings in your web browser
- Opt-out Tools: Use industry opt-out tools for advertising cookies
5.3 Browser Cookie Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete existing cookies
- Set cookies to expire when you close your browser
- Receive notifications when cookies are set
Note: Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our platform and limit your ability to use certain features.
6. Cookie Retention
Different types of cookies are retained for different periods:
- Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Authentication Cookies: Typically expire after 30 days of inactivity
- Preference Cookies: Retained for up to 1 year
- Analytics Cookies: Typically retained for 2 years
- Marketing Cookies: Retention varies by provider (usually 30 days to 2 years)
7. Mobile Apps and Other Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies:
- Local Storage: Store data locally in your browser
- Web Beacons: Small images that track email opens and website visits
- Mobile Identifiers: Device identifiers in mobile applications
- Fingerprinting: Collect device and browser characteristics for security
8. International Transfers
Some of our third-party service providers may be located outside your country of residence. When cookies are set by these providers, your information may be transferred internationally. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.
9. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Notify you through the platform or by email
- Request renewed consent where required by law
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Privacy Team: privacy@thinkinginpublic.ai
General Contact: hello@thinkinginpublic.ai
Address: Thinking in Public, Inc.
123 Innovation Drive
San Francisco, CA 94105
This Cookie Policy is effective as of December 2024 and was last updated on December 2024.