Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

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

ShopKatalog uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience, provide our services, analyze usage, and deliver personalized content.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

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

• Authentication Cookies: Keep you logged in as you navigate the platform
• Security Cookies: Detect authentication abuses and protect your account
• Session Cookies: Remember your preferences during your visit
• CSRF Tokens: Protect against cross-site request forgery attacks

These cookies do not require consent under GDPR/NDPR as they are essential for service delivery.

2.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization:

• Preference Cookies: Remember your language, currency, and theme preferences
• UI State Cookies: Remember dashboard layouts and customizations
• Shopping Cart: Remember items in your cart (for Shop customers)

2.3 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how you use our platform:

• Usage Analytics: Track pages visited, features used, and navigation patterns
• Performance Monitoring: Measure page load times and identify errors
• A/B Testing: Test different features and improvements

We use first-party analytics to respect your privacy. Data is anonymized and aggregated.

2.4 Marketing Cookies

These cookies track your activity to deliver relevant advertisements:

• Campaign Tracking: Measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns
• Retargeting: Show relevant ads on other platforms
• Social Media Pixels: Track conversions from social media ads

Marketing cookies require your explicit consent. You can opt-out at any time.

3. Specific Cookies Used by ShopKatalog

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some features use third-party services that may set their own cookies:

4.1 Payment Processors

• Paystack: Payment processing and fraud detection
• Flutterwave: Payment processing and transaction security

4.2 Social Media Platforms

When you use social login or share features:

• Google: OAuth authentication
• Facebook: OAuth authentication and social features
• Twitter: OAuth authentication
• TikTok: OAuth authentication

4.3 Content Delivery & Storage

• AWS S3/CloudFront: Image delivery and caching

We do not control third-party cookies. Please review their privacy policies for more information.

5. How to Manage Cookies

5.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit ShopKatalog, you'll see a cookie consent banner where you can:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences

5.2 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

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

5.3 Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable cookies, you may experience:

• Inability to log in or stay logged in
• Loss of preferences and settings
• Reduced functionality and user experience
• Need to re-enter information frequently

6. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

We respect "Do Not Track" browser settings. When DNT is enabled, we:

• Disable non-essential analytics cookies
• Do not track your browsing across other websites
• Maintain only essential cookies for service functionality

7. Mobile Device Identifiers

When you access ShopKatalog via mobile devices, we may use:

• Device IDs: Unique identifiers for your device
• Mobile Analytics: App performance and usage data
• Push Notifications: Device tokens for notifications (with permission)

You can manage these in your device settings (iOS Settings → Privacy, Android Settings → Privacy).

8. Cookie Data Retention

Cookie data is retained for varying periods:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Deleted after expiration (7 days to 2 years)
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized after 26 months

9. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

Under GDPR and NDPR, our legal basis for using cookies is:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for contract performance (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR)
• Functional Cookies: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR)
• Analytics Cookies: Legitimate interests with opt-out option
• Marketing Cookies: Explicit consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR)

10. Children's Privacy

ShopKatalog is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from children via cookies. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or our practices. We will notify you of significant changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Displaying a notification on our website
• Requesting renewed consent for new cookie types

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about our cookie practices, please contact us:

13. Additional Resources

Learn more about cookies and online privacy:

• All About Cookies
• UK ICO Cookie Guidance
• GDPR Cookie Compliance