COOKIE POLICY
SimsBuddy - Medical Education Platform
Last Updated: December 2024
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how SimsBuddy ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website www.simsbuddy.com (the "Website"). This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
We comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) regarding the use of cookies.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide information to the owners of the site, and enhance user experience.
Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser.
Persistent cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.
First-party cookies: Cookies set by the website you are visiting.
Third-party cookies: Cookies set by a domain other than the website you are visiting.
3. Cookies We Use
We use the following categories of cookies on our Website:
3.1 Strictly Necessary (Essential) Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as logging in, setting your privacy preferences, or filling in forms. These cookies do not require your consent.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | Maintains your logged-in session | Session | First-party |
| csrf_token | Security - prevents cross-site request forgery | Session | First-party |
| cookie_consent | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 1 year | First-party |
3.2 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences. If you do not allow these cookies, some features may not function properly. These cookies require your consent.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_preferences | Remembers your display and interface preferences | 1 year | First-party |
| last_course | Remembers last course accessed for quick navigation | 30 days | First-party |
3.3 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve our Website and services. These cookies require your consent.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics - distinguishes unique users | 2 years | Third-party |
| _ga_[ID] | Google Analytics 4 - maintains session state | 2 years | Third-party |
| _gid | Google Analytics - distinguishes users | 24 hours | Third-party |
For more information about how Google uses your data, please visit: https://policies.google.com/privacy
3.4 Payment Processing Cookies
When you make a payment, our payment processor (Stripe) may set cookies to process transactions securely and prevent fraud. These cookies are essential for payment processing and are set by Stripe, a PCI-DSS compliant payment processor.
4. Your Cookie Choices
4.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our Website, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject all non-essential cookies
- Customise your cookie preferences by category
Important: We will NOT set any non-essential cookies until you have given your consent. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer.
4.2 Browser Settings
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- See what cookies you have and delete them individually
- Block third-party cookies
- Block all cookies
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
- Open a "private browsing" session that doesn't store cookies
Please note that blocking all cookies may prevent you from using certain features of our Website, including logging into your account.
For more information on managing cookies in your browser:
- Chrome: support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
- Firefox: support.mozilla.org/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
- Safari: support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies
- Edge: support.microsoft.com/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies
5. Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as:
Local Storage: Similar to cookies but can store more data. Used to store your preferences and course progress locally.
Session Storage: Temporary storage that is cleared when you close your browser tab.
These technologies are subject to the same consent requirements as cookies.
6. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates when this policy was last revised. Material changes will be notified via our website.
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
SimsBuddy
Suite A 82 James Carter Road
Mildenhall, United Kingdom, IP28 7DE
Email: simsbuddyteam@gmail.com
Website: www.simsbuddy.com