1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better browsing experience by remembering your preferences, analyzing how you use our site, and enabling certain functionality.
Cookies contain information that is transferred to your device's hard drive. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners about how their site is being used.
2. How We Use Cookies
Squattest uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website, analyze usage patterns, and provide personalized content. We use cookies for the following purposes:
- Essential Website Functionality: To enable basic website features and services
- User Preferences: To remember your choices and settings
- Performance Analysis: To understand how visitors interact with our website
- Content Personalization: To provide relevant course recommendations
- Marketing and Advertising: To deliver relevant promotional content (with consent)
- Security: To protect against fraud and unauthorized access
3. Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality such as:
- Maintaining your session while browsing
- Remembering your cookie consent preferences
- Enabling secure areas of the website
- Processing course enrollment and payments
- Load balancing and security features
Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website by collecting anonymous information. They allow us to:
- Count the number of visitors and page views
- See which pages are most popular
- Monitor website performance and loading times
- Identify technical issues and improve user experience
- Understand traffic sources and user behavior patterns
Third-party services: Google Analytics, which provides website usage statistics.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance your browsing experience by remembering your preferences and choices:
- Language preferences
- City or location selections
- Course interests and quiz results
- Form data to prevent re-entering information
- Accessibility settings
Marketing and Advertising Cookies (Optional)
These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and track marketing campaign effectiveness. They may be set by us or third-party advertising partners:
- Display personalized course recommendations
- Show relevant advertisements on other websites
- Measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
- Prevent showing the same advertisement repeatedly
- Track conversions from advertising clicks
Note: These cookies require your explicit consent and can be disabled at any time.
4. Cookie Duration
We use both session cookies and persistent cookies:
Session Cookies
- Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
- Used for essential website functionality
- Help maintain your session while browsing
Persistent Cookies
- Remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted
- Duration ranges from 24 hours to 2 years depending on purpose
- Used for preferences, analytics, and marketing purposes
Specific Cookie Lifespans:
- Cookie Consent: 1 year
- User Preferences: 6 months
- Analytics: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
- Marketing: 30-90 days (varies by platform)
- Security: Session-based (expires on browser close)
5. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that we use to enhance functionality and analyze performance:
Google Analytics
- Provides website usage statistics and user behavior insights
- Data is anonymized and aggregated
- Helps us improve website performance and content
- Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
Social Media Platforms
- Enable social sharing functionality
- Allow embedded content from social platforms
- May track interactions with social media buttons
Payment Processors
- Secure payment processing and fraud prevention
- Essential for course enrollment and transactions
- Comply with PCI DSS security standards
Important: Third-party cookies are governed by the respective third party's privacy policy. We recommend reviewing their policies to understand how they handle your data.
6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have several options to control how cookies are used on your device:
Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:
- Accept all cookies
- Decline optional cookies (marketing and analytics)
- Review this Cookie Policy for detailed information
You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site.
Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies from all websites
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete existing cookies
- Receive notifications when cookies are set
Browser-Specific Instructions:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
Opt-Out Tools
7. Impact of Disabling Cookies
While you can disable cookies, please be aware that doing so may affect your experience on our website:
If You Disable Essential Cookies:
- You may not be able to access certain areas of the website
- Course enrollment and payment processes may not work properly
- Your preferences will not be saved
- Security features may be compromised
If You Disable Optional Cookies:
- Website analytics will not track your visit
- You may see less relevant course recommendations
- Marketing communications may be less targeted
- Some convenience features may not work
8. Mobile Device Cookies
If you access our website through a mobile device or app, cookies and similar technologies (such as device identifiers) may be used in the same way. Mobile-specific considerations include:
- Location services may provide additional data for personalization
- Mobile browsers have similar cookie control options as desktop browsers
- App-based tracking may use device-specific identifiers
- Push notification preferences are managed separately from cookies
9. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
- Display a notice on our website highlighting the changes
- Request renewed consent for new types of cookies if required
- Email notification to registered users for material changes
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.
10. Contact Us About Cookies
If you have questions about our use of cookies, want to understand how to manage your preferences, or need assistance with cookie-related issues, please contact us:
Cookie Questions
Squattest Culinary Education
181 Wellington St West
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3G1
Canada
Phone: +1 604-799-9152
Email: [email protected]
General Email: [email protected]
11. Your Rights and Choices
Under Canadian privacy law, you have rights regarding cookies and tracking:
- Informed Consent: We provide clear information about our cookie use
- Choice and Control: You can accept or decline optional cookies
- Access: You can request information about cookies we've set on your device
- Withdrawal: You can withdraw consent and delete cookies at any time
- Complaint: You can file complaints with privacy authorities if needed