Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to the website owners.

Cookies set by the website owner (in this case, TalentAvatar) are called "first-party cookies." Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called "third-party cookies." Third-party cookies enable third-party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website (e.g., analytics, advertising).

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use first-party and third-party cookies for several reasons:

• Essential Functionality: Some cookies are required for technical reasons to enable our Platform to operate properly
• Authentication: To recognize you when you return to our Platform and maintain your login session
• Security: To detect and prevent security risks and fraudulent activity
• Preferences: To remember your settings and preferences (e.g., language, theme)
• Analytics: To understand how visitors use our Platform and improve user experience
• Performance: To monitor and optimize Platform performance

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the Platform to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

Legal Basis: These cookies are necessary for the performance of our contract with you (Terms of Service) and our legitimate interest in protecting our Platform and users.

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable the Platform to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.

Legal Basis: Your consent (which can be withdrawn at any time).

3.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Platform. They help us understand which pages are most and least popular and see how visitors move around the Platform.

Third-Party Services We May Use:

• Google Analytics (anonymized IP addresses)
• AWS CloudWatch
• Custom analytics tools

Legal Basis: Your consent (which can be withdrawn at any time) and our legitimate interest in improving our Platform.

3.4 Authentication and Session Cookies

We use AWS Cognito for authentication, which sets cookies to maintain your login session securely.

4. Other Tracking Technologies

4.1 Local Storage

We use browser local storage to store data locally on your device. This allows us to:

• Cache application data for faster loading
• Store user preferences and settings
• Maintain offline functionality
• Reduce server requests and improve performance

4.2 Session Storage

We use session storage for temporary data that is cleared when you close your browser tab. This is used for:

• Temporary form data
• Navigation state
• Temporary UI preferences

4.3 Pixels and Beacons

We may use web beacons (also known as "tracking pixels") in conjunction with cookies to:

• Track email open rates for service notifications
• Measure campaign effectiveness
• Understand user engagement patterns

5. Third-Party Cookies

In addition to our own cookies, we may use various third-party cookies to report usage statistics and deliver content. These third parties have their own privacy policies:

5.1 Payment Processing

• Stripe: Payment processing and fraud detection - Stripe Privacy Policy
• Paddle: Payment processing and tax compliance - Paddle Privacy Policy

5.2 Cloud Services

• AWS (Amazon Web Services): Hosting and infrastructure - AWS Privacy Policy
• AWS Cognito: Authentication services - Part of AWS privacy framework

5.3 Analytics (If Consent Given)

• Google Analytics: Website analytics (anonymized) - Google Privacy Policy

6. How Long Do Cookies Last?

The length of time a cookie remains on your device depends on its type:

6.1 Session Cookies

These temporary cookies are deleted when you close your browser. They're used for essential functions like maintaining your login session.

6.2 Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. We use persistent cookies for:

• Remember Me functionality: Up to 30 days
• Preference cookies: Up to 1 year
• Analytics cookies: Up to 2 years (if consented)

7. Your Cookie Choices

7.1 Cookie Consent

When you first visit our Platform, you will be presented with a cookie banner that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time through your account settings or by clicking the cookie preferences link in the footer of our website.

7.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• View and delete cookies
• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Clear all cookies when you close your browser
• Get notifications when websites try to set cookies

7.3 Browser-Specific Instructions

For detailed information on managing cookies in your specific browser:

• Chrome: Cookie settings
• Firefox: Cookie settings
• Safari: Cookie settings
• Edge: Cookie settings

7.4 Mobile Devices

For mobile applications:

• iOS: Settings > Privacy > Tracking (to disable tracking across apps)
• Android: Settings > Google > Ads (to opt out of personalized ads)

7.5 Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals. We do not currently respond to DNT signals, but we respect your privacy choices through our cookie consent mechanism.

8. Cookies and Personal Data

Some cookies may contain personal data or be linked to your account. For more information about how we process personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

Under UK GDPR, you have rights regarding your personal data, including:

• The right to access your data
• The right to rectification
• The right to erasure
• The right to restrict processing
• The right to data portability
• The right to object
• The right to withdraw consent

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other reasons. We will:

• Post the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
• Notify you of material changes via email or platform notification
• Request renewed consent where required by law

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.

10. Contact Us