This Cookie Policy explains how Skymod Technology, Inc. ("Skymod Technology," "we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at skymud.org (the "Website"). It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them.
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides additional detail about how we collect, use, and protect personal information, and our Terms of Service, which govern your use of the Website.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used by website operators to make websites function more efficiently, to provide a better user experience, and to collect information about how visitors interact with the website.
Cookies are set by the website you visit (known as "first-party cookies") or by other organizations whose content appears on the page you're visiting (known as "third-party cookies"). Cookies can be "session cookies," which expire when you close your browser, or "persistent cookies," which remain on your device for a specified period or until you manually delete them.
In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies including:
- Web Beacons: Small graphic images (sometimes called "pixels" or "clear GIFs") embedded in web pages or emails that help us analyze how you use our Website and whether you open or act on our emails.
- Local Storage: A feature of modern web browsers that allows websites to store data locally on your device. We use local storage (specifically
localStorage) to remember your cookie consent preference. - Session Storage: Similar to local storage but cleared when you close your browser session. Used for maintaining session state during your visit.
- JavaScript Tags: Small pieces of code embedded in our web pages that enable analytics and functional tracking capabilities.
2. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:
- To make our Website work properly: Certain cookies are essential for the basic functioning of our Website. Without these cookies, some features and services would not work.
- To remember your preferences: We use cookies to remember choices you make, such as your cookie consent preference, so you don't have to re-enter them on each visit.
- To understand how you use our Website: We use analytics cookies to learn which pages are most popular, how visitors find us, and how they navigate through the site. This helps us improve our Website and content.
- To improve your experience: We use cookies to personalize your visit, such as displaying content relevant to your interests or your location.
- To measure the effectiveness of our communications: Cookies help us understand whether visitors who came to our Website from an email campaign or advertisement took the actions we hoped they would.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions you take on the Website, such as setting your privacy preferences or filling in forms. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| cookieConsent | Stores your cookie consent preference (accepted/declined) | Persistent (localStorage) |
| session_id | Maintains session state during your visit | Session |
| csrf_token | Security token to prevent cross-site request forgery | Session |
3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies
These cookies collect information about how visitors use our Website, including which pages they visit most often, how long they stay, and whether they encounter error messages. All information collected by these cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous. These cookies help us improve the way our Website works.
| Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics (_ga, _gid, _gat) | Measures traffic patterns, user behavior, and session analytics | _ga: 2 years; _gid: 24 hours; _gat: 1 minute |
| Hotjar (_hjSessionUser, _hjSession) | Records session data for UX analysis and heatmapping | Persistent / Session |
Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information about your use of the Website in a form that does not directly identify you. For more information about how Google processes this data, visit Google's Privacy Policy. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
3.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our Website. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all of these services may not function properly.
| Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| HubSpot (hubspotutk) | Identifies returning visitors for CRM and contact form functionality | 13 months |
| Intercom (intercom-session, intercom-id) | Powers chat and customer support widget functionality | 7 days / 9 months |
3.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our Website by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. They work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device.
| Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Insight Tag | Conversion tracking and retargeting for LinkedIn ads | 30 days – 2 years |
| Google Ads (_gcl_au) | Conversion measurement for Google Ads campaigns | 90 days |
| Meta Pixel (_fbp) | Conversion tracking and retargeting for Meta/Facebook ads | 90 days |
We do not currently use marketing cookies unless you have provided consent through our cookie consent banner. You can withdraw consent at any time using the controls described in Section 4.
4. How to Control Cookies
4.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our Website, we display a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept all cookies or manage your preferences. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our Website, which will cause the banner to reappear.
We store your consent preference using localStorage in your browser with the key cookieConsent. If you clear your browser's local storage or cookies, you will be asked for your preference again on your next visit.
4.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. You can typically set your browser to:
- Notify you before a cookie is placed
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete existing cookies when you close your browser
- View and delete specific cookies
Please be aware that blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of our Website and prevent features from working properly. Instructions for controlling cookies in popular browsers:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Apple Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
4.3 Opt-Out Tools for Analytics
In addition to browser settings, you can opt out of specific analytics services:
- Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Hotjar: Use the Hotjar Do Not Track option
- LinkedIn: Manage preferences through your LinkedIn account settings
- Meta/Facebook: Manage preferences through your Facebook account settings or the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out tool
4.4 Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers transmit "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals to websites. We currently do not respond to DNT signals because there is no consistent industry standard for how to respond to them. We continue to monitor industry developments and may update our approach in the future.
5. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our Website are placed by third parties whose services we use. These third parties may use cookies to collect information about your online activities across different websites over time. This information may be used to provide interest-based advertising or analytics services. We do not control these third parties' tracking technologies, and their use of information is governed by their own privacy policies rather than this Cookie Policy.
Key third-party services that may set cookies on our Website:
- Google: Analytics, advertising, and content personalization
- HubSpot: CRM and marketing automation
- Intercom: Customer communication and support
- Hotjar: Website analytics and user experience research
- LinkedIn: Professional network advertising and analytics
- Meta (Facebook): Advertising and conversion measurement
6. Cookies and Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding cookies and the personal data collected through them under applicable privacy laws including:
- Right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw consent to non-essential cookies at any time using the controls described in Section 4
- Right to access: You can request information about personal data collected through cookies
- Right to deletion: You can request deletion of personal data collected through cookies
- Right to object: You can object to processing of your personal data for marketing purposes
To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@skymud.org or refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.
7. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time as we change the technologies we use or in response to changes in applicable law. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. If we make significant changes to how we use cookies or similar technologies, we will provide more prominent notice.
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
- Email: privacy@skymud.org
- Mail: Skymod Technology, Inc., Privacy Office, Dallas, TX, United States
- Website: Contact Page