Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit a website or use an application. They contain data such as your session ID, preferences, or usage patterns. Cookies are commonly used to remember login information, track user behavior, and personalize experiences.

Similar technologies include web beacons (tracking pixels), local storage, and session storage—all of which ConnectMap uses transparently.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

• Authentication: To keep you logged in and secure your account.
• Session Management: To maintain your session state and preferences across pages.
• Analytics: To understand how users interact with our platform and identify improvement opportunities.
• Security: To prevent fraud, detect unauthorized access, and protect your data.
• User Preferences: To remember your settings (language, map zoom level, theme).

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Required)

These are necessary for the site to function. You cannot disable them without breaking the service.

• Session ID: Identifies your session. Expires when you close your browser.
• CSRF Token: Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks.
• Authentication Cookie: Stores your login state. Remains until you log out.
• Preference Cookie: Remembers your UI preferences (theme, language).

Analytics Cookies (Privacy-Respecting)

We use Plausible Analytics, a privacy-centric analytics provider that does not:

• Use tracking cookies or persistent identifiers.
• Build user profiles across sites.
• Participate in ad networks or data brokers.
• Store personally identifiable information.

Plausible collects:

• Page views and referrer URL.
• Approximate geographic location (country/city-level).
• Device type and browser (anonymized category).
• Time on page and scroll depth.

All data is anonymized and aggregated. You cannot be tracked across sites.

Third-Party Cookies (None Currently Used)

We do not currently use third-party advertising, social media, or invasive tracking cookies. If we add any in the future, this policy will be updated and you will be notified.

4. Local Storage & Session Storage

In addition to cookies, our app uses browser storage mechanisms:

• Local Storage: Stores persistent data like your map preferences, downloaded datasets, and app settings. This persists even after you close your browser.
• Session Storage: Stores temporary data for your current session. Cleared when you close the browser or app.
• IndexedDB: Used for offline caching and storing large datasets locally (e.g., cached map tiles for offline viewing).

None of this data is sent to our servers without your explicit action (e.g., when you click "upload" or "export").

5. Cookie Consent & Management

Consent:

Essential cookies are placed automatically as they are necessary for the service to function. Non-essential cookies (analytics) require your consent, which is collected via our cookie banner on first visit.

By clicking "Accept," you consent to all cookies in this policy. By clicking "Reject," only essential cookies are placed.

Managing Preferences:

You can manage cookie preferences in several ways:

• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to disable cookies or delete them after each session. See your browser's help documentation.
• Do Not Track (DNT): If your browser sends a DNT signal, we respect it and do not place analytics cookies.
• Cookie Banner: You can revisit your choice by clearing your browser's local storage or contacting us.

Disabling Cookies:

If you disable essential cookies, you will not be able to log in or use ConnectMap. Analytics cookies can be disabled without affecting functionality.

6. Plausible Analytics Privacy

Plausible is a GDPR-compliant analytics tool that respects privacy. Key features:

• No cookies placed on users (in the traditional sense).
• No user profiling or cross-site tracking.
• Data is processed under GDPR with EU-based servers.
• Data is automatically deleted after 90 days.
• No integration with ad networks or data brokers.

For more information, see Plausible's privacy page.

7. Mobile App Cookies & Tracking

Our mobile apps (iOS and Android) use similar technologies:

• Session Tokens: Store authentication between app launches.
• Local Preferences: Saved in the app's local storage (not shared with analytics).
• Analytics: We send anonymized usage events (crash logs, feature usage) to Plausible via the app. No unique device IDs or personal information is tracked.

Your location data (from running connectivity tests) is collected by the app but anonymized before transmission, as described in our Privacy Policy.

8. GDPR & CCPA Compliance

GDPR (EU/EEA):

Under GDPR, non-essential cookies require explicit consent before placement. Our cookie banner provides granular consent:

• Essential cookies placed automatically (legal basis: legitimate interest).
• Analytics cookies placed only after your explicit consent.
• Your consent is logged and can be withdrawn anytime from account settings.

CCPA (California):

Under CCPA, we disclose cookie categories and your right to opt out of the sale of personal information. ConnectMap does not sell cookies or personal information derived from them. You can exercise your rights at any time.

9. Third-Party Services & Their Cookies

ConnectMap integrates with third-party services that may use cookies:

• AWS (Web Hosting): May set cookies for DDoS protection and CDN optimization. These are session-based and cleared after use.
• Stripe (if applicable for payments): Uses cookies for payment processing security. See Stripe's privacy policy.
• Email Provider: Transactional emails are sent via a third-party provider but do not place tracking cookies.

All third-party integrations are under data processing agreements ensuring they do not use your data for their own purposes.

10. Cookie Lifespan

Here's how long our cookies persist:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser (same-session).
• Authentication Cookies: Persist for 30 days (or until you log out), allowing you to stay logged in across visits.
• Preference Cookies: Persist for 1 year.
• Analytics Data (Plausible): Automatically deleted after 90 days.
• CSRF Tokens: Refreshed on each request for security.

11. Opt-Out Options

Analytics Opt-Out: You can opt out of analytics by:

• Clicking "Reject" on the cookie banner.
• Sending a Do Not Track (DNT) signal from your browser.
• Deleting analytics consent from account settings (if logged in).

Email Opt-Out: Transactional emails (account updates, support) cannot be disabled, but you can opt out of marketing emails via the unsubscribe link.

Cookie Banner Re-Display: To reset your cookie choice and see the banner again, clear your browser's local storage or contact us.

12. Accessibility & Cookie Blocking

ConnectMap works with essential cookies enabled but all non-essential features (analytics, personalization) function with cookies disabled. If you experience accessibility issues due to cookies, please contact [email protected].

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our technology or regulations. Material changes will be announced via email and on-site notification. Your continued use signifies acceptance of updates.

14. Contact & Questions

Cookie-Related Questions: [email protected]

Technical Issues: [email protected]

Complaints: If you have concerns about our cookie practices, you can lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

15. Common Cookie Questions (FAQ)

Can I delete cookies?

Yes. Most browsers and mobile devices allow you to delete cookies. However, deleting essential cookies may require you to log in again or reset preferences.

Are cookies secure?

Cookies are transmitted via encrypted HTTPS connections and stored locally on your device. They are no less secure than other online data, but we recommend using secure passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for your account.

Does ConnectMap track me across other websites?

No. ConnectMap does not use cross-site tracking. We only track activity on our own domain. Third-party analytics (Plausible) also does not track you across sites.

What if I use a private/incognito browser?

In private mode, cookies are cleared when you close the browser window. You'll need to log in again on each visit, but you can still use ConnectMap.

Can I opt out of all cookies?

You can opt out of non-essential cookies via the cookie banner or browser settings. However, essential cookies cannot be disabled without breaking login and session functionality.