Cookie Policy
Last Updated: 06/03/2025
1. Introduction
At thesmilemakers.org ("we", "our", "us"), we are committed to transparency and protecting your privacy. This Cookies Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them on our website, the types of cookies we employ, and your rights regarding their use. By accessing and using our website, you agree to the use of cookies in accordance with this policy.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, to improve the user experience, and to provide information to website owners.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
We use both essential and non-essential cookies to enhance your browsing experience:
3.1. Essential Cookies
- Purpose: These cookies are necessary for the operation of our website. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.
- Examples: Session cookies that remember your selections as you navigate between pages.
- Consent: These cookies are automatically enabled, as they are critical for the website's functionality, and cannot be disabled through our cookie consent mechanism.
3.2. Non-Essential Cookies
Analytical Cookies:
- Purpose: To collect and analyze data on how visitors interact with our website.
- Example: Google Analytics cookies that collect aggregated, anonymized data such as visitor count, pages visited, and duration of visits.
Functionality Cookies:
- Purpose: To remember your preferences and settings (such as language or region) to provide a more personalized experience.
Advertising/Marketing Cookies:
- Purpose: To deliver content that is relevant to your interests and to measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.
4. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes:
- Website Functionality: To ensure our website operates smoothly and efficiently.
- User Experience: To provide a personalized experience by remembering your preferences and settings.
- Analytics: To monitor and analyze website performance and usage trends. For instance, our integration with Google Analytics uses cookies to collect anonymized data, enabling us to improve our content and services.
- Security: To help protect our website against fraudulent activities and to ensure secure sessions.
5. Legal Basis for Using Cookies
Our use of cookies is founded on the following legal bases:
- Essential Cookies: Rely on the necessity for the provision of an online service explicitly requested by you.
- Non-Essential Cookies: We use these cookies only after obtaining your explicit consent, as required by the EU ePrivacy Directive and GDPR.
6. Your Consent and Cookie Management
6.1. Obtaining Consent
- Consent Mechanism: When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie banner or pop-up informing you of the use of cookies.
- Withdrawal of Consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
6.2. Managing Cookies
- Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to manage or disable cookies. Please refer to your browser's help section for instructions.
- Opt-Out Options: For Google Analytics, you can use the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on.
- Impact: Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
7. Third-Party Cookies
Our website may use cookies provided by third parties for analytics, advertising, and other purposes:
Google Analytics:
- Data Handling: Google Analytics uses cookies to collect anonymized data about your interactions with our site.
- Opt-Out: You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using the available opt-out tool or by adjusting your browser settings.
8. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We reserve the right to update or modify this Cookie Policy at any time. Any changes will be communicated by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document, and, where appropriate, by notifying you through our website.
9. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Cookie Policy or our cookie practices, please contact us at:
- Email: info@thesmilemakers.org