Cookie Policy
Last updated: April 18, 2026
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, improve their efficiency, and provide information to the website owner. Cookies do not contain executable code and cannot carry viruses or install malware.
In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as local storage, session storage, and pixel tags. This policy covers all such tracking technologies collectively referred to as "cookies."
2. How We Use Cookies
PrivacyGuard AI uses cookies to provide a secure, functional, and improved experience. We use cookies for the following purposes:
2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are set in response to actions you take, such as logging in or setting your preferences. You cannot opt out of these cookies without disabling the Service entirely.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| session | Authenticates your login session and keeps you signed in securely | Session (expires on browser close) or up to 7 days if "remember me" is selected | Essential |
| sidebar-width | Remembers your sidebar width preference in the dashboard | 1 year | Essential |
| cookie-consent | Stores your cookie consent preferences so we don't ask again | 1 year | Essential |
2.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use Umami Analytics, a privacy-first analytics platform that does not use cookies by default and does not collect personally identifiable information. When analytics cookies are enabled, only anonymized, aggregated data is collected.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| umami.uuid | Anonymous visitor identifier for session counting. No personal data. No cross-site tracking. | 1 year | Optional |
Umami Analytics does not use third-party cookies, does not track users across websites, and does not share data with advertising networks. All analytics data is aggregated and anonymized.
3. Third-Party Cookies
We do not use third-party advertising cookies, social media tracking pixels, or behavioral profiling technologies. The only third-party service that may set cookies is:
- Stripe: When you proceed to checkout, Stripe may set cookies to prevent fraud and ensure payment security. These are strictly necessary for processing payments. See Stripe's Cookie Settings.
4. Your Cookie Choices
You have several options to control or limit how cookies are used when you visit PrivacyGuard AI:
4.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, a cookie consent banner will appear. You can choose to:
- Accept All: Enables both essential and analytics cookies.
- Reject All: Enables only strictly necessary cookies. Non-essential analytics cookies will not be set.
- Customize: Select individual cookie categories using the granular toggle panel.
Our "Accept All" and "Reject All" buttons are displayed with equal visual prominence — identical size, color weight, and placement — in compliance with GDPR Art. 88a/88b and FTC Act §5 dark pattern rules. No pre-ticked checkboxes are used. Non-essential cookies are blocked until you make an affirmative choice.
You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site, which will trigger the consent banner again. You may also contact [email protected] to withdraw consent.
4.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can configure your browser to:
- Notify you when cookies are being set
- Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
- Delete cookies when you close your browser
- View and delete existing cookies
Instructions for managing cookies in popular browsers:
Note: Blocking essential cookies will prevent you from logging in and using the Service. Blocking analytics cookies will not affect your ability to use any features.
5. Do Not Track
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals websites not to track your browsing activity. PrivacyGuard AI respects DNT signals. When a DNT signal is detected, we do not load analytics tracking scripts. Essential cookies required for authentication and core functionality are not affected by DNT signals.
6. Cookie Retention
Cookies are retained for the durations specified in the tables above. Session cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device until they expire or you delete them manually.
7. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Questions about cookies or privacy?