Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how The Graduates Chamber ("we," "us," "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website www.thegraduateschamber.site.

1. WHAT ARE COOKIES?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They help the website remember information about your visit, making it work properly and improving your experience.

Cookies can:

  • Remember your preferences and settings

  • Keep you logged in (if applicable)

  • Understand how you use the site

  • Ensure security and prevent fraud

  • Enable certain features to function

Cookies do NOT:

  • Contain viruses or malware

  • Access other files on your device

  • Identify you personally (unless combined with other information)

2. TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE

A. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Cannot be disabled)

Purpose: Essential for the website to function properly.

These cookies:

  • Enable page navigation and access to secure areas

  • Process form submissions (registration, contact forms)

  • Maintain security and prevent fraud

  • Remember your cookie consent choices

  • Support basic website functionality

Without these cookies, our website cannot function properly.

Examples:

  • Session cookies that identify your browser during a visit

  • Security cookies that authenticate users and prevent fraud

  • Load-balancing cookies that distribute server traffic

Set by:

Duration: Session-based (deleted when you close your browser) or up to 24 hours

B. Functional Cookies (Optional)

Purpose: Remember your preferences and choices to enhance your experience.

These cookies:

  • Remember your language preference

  • Store your display settings

  • Recall your form inputs (if you navigate away and return)

  • Remember whether you've dismissed certain notifications

If you disable these, some features may not work as smoothly, but the site will still function.

Set by:

Duration: Typically 30 days to 12 months

C. Performance/Analytics Cookies (Optional - Only if enabled)

Purpose: Help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it.

These cookies collect anonymous, aggregated information about:

  • Which pages you visit

  • How long you spend on each page

  • What links you click

  • Where visitors come from (referral sources)

  • Technical information (browser type, device type)

This data is anonymous and cannot identify you personally.

We only use analytics cookies if:

  • You consent to them, OR

  • We implement privacy-friendly analytics (like Plausible) that don't require consent under GDPR

Set by:

  • Google Analytics (if enabled - currently not active)

  • Plausible Analytics (if enabled - privacy-friendly alternative)

  • Systeme.io analytics features (if enabled)

Duration: Typically 13-24 months

Note: As of December 2025, we do not currently use third-party analytics cookies. If this changes, we will update this policy and seek your consent.

D. Third-Party Cookies (Set by external services)

Purpose: Enable functionality from third-party services embedded on our site.

Third-party cookies may be set when you:

  • Make a donation via PayPal or Ko-fi

  • Watch an embedded video (YouTube, Vimeo)

  • Interact with social media sharing buttons (if present)

  • Use Zoom links (for live sessions)

We do not control these cookies. They are governed by the privacy policies of the third-party services.

3. COOKIES SET BY OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS

A. Systeme.io (Website Platform)

What they do:

  • Power our website, forms, and landing pages

  • Handle email automation and campaigns

  • Process contact form submissions

  • Manage user sessions and security

Cookies set:

  • Essential session cookies

  • Security and authentication cookies

  • Functional preference cookies

Privacy Policy: https://systeme.io/privacy-policy
Duration: Session to 12 months

B. PayPal (Payment Processing)

What they do:

  • Process voluntary donations securely

  • Prevent fraud and ensure transaction security

  • Remember your payment preferences

Cookies set when:

  • You visit our donation page

  • You complete a donation transaction

Cookies include:

  • Security and authentication cookies

  • Fraud prevention cookies

  • Payment processing cookies

Privacy Policy: https://www.paypal.com/privacy
Duration: Varies by cookie type; typically session to 13 months

Note: PayPal cookies are only set when you interact with PayPal services (visiting donation page or making donation). They are not active on other pages of our site.

C. Ko-fi (Alternative Donation Platform)

What they do:

  • Process voluntary donations

  • Enable supporter features

Cookies set when:

  • You visit Ko-fi donation pages

  • You complete a donation

Privacy Policy: https://ko-fi.com/home/privacy
Duration: Varies by cookie type

D. Zoom (Video Sessions)

What they do:

  • Enable access to live virtual healing sessions

  • Remember your meeting preferences

Cookies set when:

  • You click a Zoom meeting link

  • You join a Zoom session

Privacy Policy: https://explore.zoom.us/privacy
Duration: Session-based

Note: Zoom cookies are set on Zoom's domain (zoom.us), not our website.

E. Video Hosting (If/When Used)

YouTube (if embedded):

  • Set cookies to remember player preferences

  • Track video views and engagement

  • Personalize video recommendations

Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Duration: Up to 6 months

Vimeo (if embedded):

  • Set cookies for video playback

  • Remember player settings

Privacy Policy: https://vimeo.com/privacy
Duration: Up to 2 years

Note: As of December 2025, we do not currently embed videos directly on our site. If this changes, we will use privacy-enhanced embed modes where available and update this policy.

4. HOW TO MANAGE COOKIES

You have several options to control cookies:

A. Cookie Consent Banner (On First Visit)

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner with options:

"Accept All" - Allows all cookies (essential, functional, analytics, third-party)
"Reject Non-Essential" - Only essential cookies (site still functions fully)
"Manage Settings" - Choose which cookie categories to allow

Your choice is saved and you won't see the banner again unless you clear your cookies or change devices.

B. Change Your Cookie Preferences

To update your cookie choices:

  1. Scroll to the bottom of any page

  2. Click "Cookie Settings" or "Manage Cookies" in the footer

  3. Adjust your preferences

  4. Save your changes

C. Browser Settings

You can also control cookies through your browser settings:

Most browsers allow you to:

  • Block all cookies

  • Block third-party cookies only

  • Delete cookies after each session

  • Receive notifications when cookies are set

  • Delete existing cookies

How to access cookie settings:

Google Chrome:
Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data

Mozilla Firefox:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

Safari:
Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data

Microsoft Edge:
Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions

For mobile devices: Check your browser's help menu or settings

D. What Happens If You Reject Cookies?

If you reject or delete essential cookies:

  • The website may not function properly

  • Forms may not work

  • You may not be able to register for events

  • Security features may be compromised

If you reject functional/analytics cookies:

  • The site will still work fully

  • You may need to re-enter preferences each visit

  • We won't be able to improve the site based on usage data

  • Some convenience features may not work

If you block third-party cookies:

  • Embedded content (videos, payment forms) may not load

  • You may need to visit third-party sites directly

  • Donations via PayPal/Ko-fi may require additional steps

5. COOKIE RETENTION & LIFESPAN

Cookie lifespans vary by type and provider:

Session Cookies:
Deleted automatically when you close your browser

Persistent Cookies:

  • Essential/Security: 24 hours to 12 months

  • Functional: 30 days to 12 months

  • Analytics: 13 months to 24 months (if enabled)

  • Third-party: Varies by provider (see their privacy policies)

To see specific cookie details:

  1. Open your browser's developer tools (F12 or right-click → Inspect)

  2. Go to "Application" or "Storage" tab

  3. Click "Cookies" in the left sidebar

  4. View expiration dates for each cookie

6. DO NOT TRACK (DNT) SIGNALS

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting that sends a signal to websites requesting they not track you.

Our approach:

  • We respect your privacy choices

  • If you disable cookies in your browser, we won't track you

  • Currently, there is no universally accepted DNT standard

  • If we implement analytics in the future, we will honor DNT signals where technically feasible

7. COOKIES AND PERSONAL DATA

Are Cookies Personal Data?

Under GDPR and privacy laws:

  • Cookies can be personal data if they can identify you (directly or indirectly)

  • This includes cookies tied to your IP address, login, or browsing behavior

How we handle this:

  • Essential cookies: Necessary for the site to function (GDPR exemption)

  • Non-essential cookies: We ask for your consent before setting them

  • Third-party cookies: Subject to third-party privacy policies

  • We do not use cookies to identify you personally unless necessary for providing services you request (e.g., form submission)

For more information on how we handle personal data, see our Privacy Policy.

8. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Our services are intended for adults aged 18 and over.

We do not knowingly:

  • Set cookies on devices used by children under 18

  • Collect data from minors

  • Target children with our services

If you believe a child has provided us with information, please contact us immediately at hi@thegraduateschamber.site.

9. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Some of our service providers (Systeme.io, PayPal, Zoom) may process cookies and related data in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

When this occurs:

  • We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (Standard Contractual Clauses, adequacy decisions)

  • Data is protected in accordance with GDPR standards

  • Third-party providers comply with applicable data protection laws

For more details, see our Privacy Policy.

10. CHANGES TO THIS COOKIE POLICY

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in cookie usage

  • Updates to our service providers

  • Changes in privacy laws

  • Improvements to our website

When we make changes:

  • The "Last Updated" date at the top will change

  • Material changes will be posted prominently on our website

  • We may notify you via email for significant changes

  • Your continued use of our site after changes constitutes acceptance

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

11. YOUR RIGHTS UNDER GDPR

If you're in the EU/EEA/UK, you have rights regarding cookies and personal data:

Right to:

  • Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time

  • Access information about cookies set on your device

  • Object to processing based on legitimate interests

  • Lodge a complaint with your data protection authority

To exercise these rights:
Contact us at hi@thegraduateschamber.site or use the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer.

For full details on your privacy rights, see our Privacy Policy.

12. CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions About Cookies?

Email: hi@thegraduateschamber.site
Website: www.thegraduateschamber.site

We aim to respond within 5-7 business days.

Data Protection Authority (EU/UK): If you're in the EU/UK and have concerns about our cookie practices, you may contact your local data protection authority: Portugal (where we're based): Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD)
Website: https://www.cnpd.pt

13. USEFUL RESOURCES

Learn more about cookies:

Browser cookie management guides:

Last Updated: December 10, 2025

© 2025 The Graduates Chamber. All rights reserved.