1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They serve various purposes including keeping you logged in, remembering your preferences, and helping us understand how the platform is used. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, and pixels, which are collectively referred to as "cookies" in this policy.
2. Cookie Categories
We organize the cookies used on PoolCures into three categories:
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the platform to function. They cannot be disabled without breaking core functionality.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|
| __session | Authentication session token. Identifies your logged-in session. | Session / 30 days |
| __csrf | Cross-site request forgery protection. Prevents unauthorized actions on your behalf. | Session |
| __stripe_mid | Stripe fraud prevention. Used to detect and prevent fraudulent payment activity. | 1 year |
| __stripe_sid | Stripe session identifier. Supports payment processing security. | 30 minutes |
| cookie_consent | Records your cookie consent preference so we do not ask again. | 1 year |
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the platform. All analytics data is aggregated and anonymized — we do not use analytics cookies to identify individual users.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|
| _vercel_insights | Vercel Analytics. Measures page views, performance metrics, and Web Vitals. Privacy-focused: no personal data collected. | Session |
Preference Cookies
These cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|
| ref | Referral tracking code. Attributes your registration to the referrer. | 30 days |
| locale | Remembers your preferred language or region setting. | 1 year |
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are placed by third-party services that we integrate with. These services have their own privacy and cookie policies:
- Stripe — Payment processing, fraud prevention, and PCI compliance. Stripe sets cookies on its own domains during payment flows. Stripe Privacy Policy
- Vercel — Hosting and anonymous performance monitoring. Vercel Analytics is privacy-focused and does not use cookies to track individual users across sites. Vercel Privacy Policy
4. How to Manage Cookies
You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View which cookies are currently stored
- Delete all or specific cookies
- Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
- Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is set
- Configure exceptions for specific websites
Common browser cookie settings:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and Other Site Data
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and Site Permissions > Manage and Delete Cookies
Note: Blocking strictly necessary cookies (authentication, CSRF protection) will prevent you from logging in and using the platform. Analytics and preference cookies can be blocked without affecting core functionality.
5. EU and International Users (ePrivacy Directive)
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions that require consent for non-essential cookies, we comply with the ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC) and its national implementations:
- Strictly necessary cookies are set without consent, as they are required for the service you have explicitly requested (Article 5(3) exemption).
- Analytics and preference cookies are set only after you provide consent through the cookie consent banner.
- You may withdraw consent at any time by clearing your cookies and revisiting the site, or by adjusting your cookie preferences through the consent mechanism.
For more information about how we handle your personal data, see our Privacy Policy.
6. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. If we add new categories of cookies or materially change how we use cookies, we will request renewed consent where required by law.