Last Updated: January 1, 2024
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences, understanding how you use our site, and improving our services.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
| Cookie Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Cookies | Required for the website to function properly. Enable basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas. | Session |
| Performance Cookies | Collect information about how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often. Helps us improve website performance. | Up to 2 years |
| Functional Cookies | Remember your preferences and choices (e.g., language, region). Provide enhanced, personalized features. | Up to 1 year |
| Marketing Cookies | Track your visits across websites to deliver relevant advertising and measure the effectiveness of our campaigns. | Up to 2 years |
3. How We Use Cookies
- Authentication: To recognize you when you return to our website and maintain your session
- Preferences: To remember your settings and preferences
- Analytics: To understand how visitors interact with our website and identify areas for improvement
- Donation Processing: To facilitate secure donation transactions
- Security: To detect and prevent fraud and enhance security
- Marketing: To deliver relevant content and measure campaign effectiveness
4. Third-Party Cookies
We use third-party services that may set cookies on your device, including:
- Google Analytics: For website analytics and visitor insights
- Payment Processors: For secure donation processing
- Social Media Platforms: For social sharing functionality
- Email Service Providers: For newsletter and communication delivery
These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies. We recommend reviewing their policies to understand how they use cookies.
5. Managing Cookies
You have control over cookies and can manage them in several ways:
- Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or accept cookies. Check your browser's help section for instructions.
- Third-Party Tools: You can use opt-out tools provided by advertising networks and analytics providers.
- Cookie Consent Tool: Use our cookie banner to manage your preferences (if you accept or reject optional cookies).
Important: Disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our website, such as making donations or viewing personalized content.
6. Browser-Specific Cookie Management
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
7. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to be tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. We do not currently respond to DNT signals, but we respect your privacy choices and provide options to control cookies through our cookie banner and your browser settings.
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our practices. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date.
9. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
Spark Bio
4365 Executive Drive Suite 1100
San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Email: privacy@SparkBio.org