Cookies

Cookie Policy

Last updated: January 1, 2025

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies can be:

  • Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
  • Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
  • First-Party Cookies: Set by the website you're visiting (hiddenweekends.com)
  • Third-Party Cookies: Set by other websites or services we use

2. How We Use Cookies

Hidden Weekends uses cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Ensure our website functions properly
  • Remember your preferences and settings
  • Analyze how visitors use our website
  • Improve our content and user experience
  • Provide personalized content and recommendations
  • Enable social media features
  • Deliver relevant advertisements

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They include:

  • Security Cookies: Protect against security threats and ensure safe browsing
  • Load Balancing Cookies: Distribute website traffic across servers
  • Session Management Cookies: Maintain your session while browsing
  • Cookie Consent Cookies: Remember your cookie preferences

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your preferences:

  • Language Preferences: Remember your preferred language
  • Location Settings: Remember your location for relevant content
  • User Interface Preferences: Remember display settings and layout preferences
  • Form Data: Remember information you've entered in forms

3.3 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website:

  • Google Analytics: Tracks website usage, visitor behavior, and performance metrics
  • Page Views: Counts how many times pages are viewed
  • User Journey: Tracks how users navigate through our website
  • Performance Monitoring: Measures website speed and functionality

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure their effectiveness:

  • Targeting Cookies: Create profiles to show relevant ads
  • Conversion Tracking: Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
  • Retargeting Cookies: Show ads to users who have visited our website
  • Social Media Cookies: Enable social media sharing and interaction

4. Third-Party Cookies

We use several third-party services that may set cookies on your device:

4.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information about how visitors use our website. This information is used to compile reports and help us improve our website.

  • Cookie Names: _ga, _ga_[ID], _gid, _gat, _gcl_au
  • Purpose: Website analytics and performance measurement
  • Duration: Up to 2 years
  • Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

4.2 Amazon Associates

We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. When you click on Amazon links, Amazon may set cookies to track your activity.

4.3 Social Media Platforms

Our website may include social media features (Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest) that may set cookies:

4.4 Advertising Networks

We may work with advertising networks that use cookies to deliver targeted advertisements:

5. Cookie Duration

Different cookies have different lifespans:

5.1 Session Cookies

These cookies are deleted when you close your browser and typically last for:

  • Security and session management: Until browser is closed
  • Load balancing: Until browser is closed
  • Form data: Until browser is closed

5.2 Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a set period:

  • Google Analytics: Up to 2 years
  • Cookie consent: 1 year
  • User preferences: 1 year
  • Marketing cookies: Up to 1 year

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies:

6.1 Browser Settings

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

  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Delete existing cookies
  • Set your browser to ask before accepting cookies

Browser-specific instructions:

  • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
  • Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

6.2 Cookie Consent Management

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can:

  • Accept all cookies
  • Reject non-essential cookies
  • Customize your preferences
  • Change your preferences at any time

6.3 Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of specific tracking services:

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that:

7.1 Essential Functionality

Some features of our website may not work properly if you disable essential cookies:

  • Login and account management
  • Shopping cart functionality
  • Form submissions
  • Security features

7.2 User Experience

Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience:

  • We won't remember your preferences
  • You may see the same content repeatedly
  • Some personalized features may not work
  • We can't improve our website based on usage data

8. Mobile Devices

If you're using a mobile device, you can manage cookies through your browser settings or device settings:

8.1 iOS (Safari)

  • Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security
  • Block All Cookies or Block Third-Party Cookies
  • Clear History and Website Data

8.2 Android (Chrome)

  • Chrome app > Menu > Settings > Site Settings
  • Cookies and site data
  • Block third-party cookies

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on this page
  • Updating the "Last updated" date
  • Displaying a notice on our website
  • Sending you an email notification (if you've provided an email address)

10. Legal Basis for Cookie Use

Our use of cookies is based on the following legal grounds:

10.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the performance of our contract with you and to provide our services.

10.2 Functional and Analytics Cookies

We use these cookies based on our legitimate interests in improving our website and services.

10.3 Marketing Cookies

We use these cookies with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time.

11. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding cookies:

11.1 European Union (GDPR)

If you're in the EU, you have the right to:

  • Give or withdraw consent for non-essential cookies
  • Access information about cookies we use
  • Request deletion of cookie data
  • Object to processing based on legitimate interests

11.2 California (CCPA)

If you're a California resident, you have the right to:

  • Know what personal information is collected through cookies
  • Opt out of the sale of personal information
  • Request deletion of personal information
  • Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

For EU residents, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe we have not handled your cookie data in accordance with applicable law.