Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember your preferences, authenticate sessions, and improve user experience.

This Website also uses other browser storage technologies including LocalStorage, SessionStorage, and IndexedDB for similar purposes.

2. How We Use Cookies and Storage

We use cookies and browser storage for the following purposes:

2.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These are necessary for the Website to function and cannot be disabled:

• Authentication: Firebase session tokens for admin login
• Security: CSRF protection, rate limiting counters
• Session Management: Chat session IDs, visitor tracking
• Device Fingerprinting: UUID-sync for visitor identification

2.2 Functional Cookies

These enhance functionality and personalization:

• Theme Preferences: Dark mode settings
• Chat History: LocalStorage for anonymous chat messages
• Form Data: Temporary storage of draft messages
• Scroll Position: Remembering page positions

2.3 Analytics Cookies

These help us understand how visitors use the Website:

• Visitor Analytics: Page views, session duration, bounce rate
• Performance Monitoring: Vercel Analytics for Web Vitals
• Error Tracking: Crash reports stored in IndexedDB
• Usage Patterns: Feature adoption, click tracking

2.4 Security Cookies

These protect against abuse and security threats:

• Ban Detection: Real-time visitor ban status verification
• Spam Prevention: Multi-tier rate limit counters (20 msg/min, 3 forms/hour)
• Bot Detection: Cloudflare Turnstile + behavioral analysis
• Request Deduplication: Prevents duplicate submissions
• Maintenance Mode: Bypass tokens for authorized users
• Cache Invalidation: Ensures data consistency across sessions

2.5 Performance Cookies

These optimize website performance:

• 3-Layer Cache: Memory → Redis → Firebase for fast responses
• Stale-While-Revalidate: Serves cached content while refreshing
• Smart Polling: Adaptive intervals based on user activity
• Event Batching: Groups analytics events for efficiency

3. Browser Storage Technologies

3.1 LocalStorage

We use LocalStorage to store:

• Device fingerprint and visitor UUID
• Chat session data
• User preferences (theme, settings)
• Analytics event queue (for offline support)

3.2 SessionStorage

Temporary storage cleared when you close your browser:

• Temporary form data
• Navigation state
• Current session information

3.3 IndexedDB

Large structured data storage for:

• Crash reports and error logs
• Offline data synchronization
• Performance metrics
• Analytics event batching

4. Third-Party Cookies

We use services that may set their own cookies:

4.1 Firebase (Google)

• Authentication cookies for login sessions
• Firestore connection tokens
• Privacy Policy: Firebase Privacy

4.2 Vercel

• Deployment and hosting cookies
• Analytics and performance monitoring
• Privacy Policy: Vercel Privacy

4.3 Cloudflare Turnstile

• Bot detection and verification
• Spam prevention cookies
• Privacy Policy: Cloudflare Privacy

5. Cookie Duration

Different cookies have different lifespans:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain for a set period (e.g., 30 days for chat sessions)
• Authentication Tokens: Valid until logout or expiration
• Analytics Data: Retained as per our Privacy Policy

6. Managing Cookies

6.1 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies
• Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies
• Edge: Settings → Privacy → Cookies

6.2 Clear Storage

To clear all stored data:

• Open browser DevTools (F12)
• Go to Application/Storage tab
• Clear LocalStorage, SessionStorage, IndexedDB
• Clear cookies for www.gauravpatil.online

6.3 Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable cookies:

• Chat functionality may not work properly
• Admin login will not function
• Preferences will not be saved
• Some security features may be limited
• Analytics will not track your visit

7. Do Not Track (DNT)

We respect Do Not Track signals. When DNT is enabled in your browser, we will not use non-essential tracking technologies. However, essential cookies required for Website functionality will still be used.

8. Updates to Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Please review this policy periodically.

9. Contact Us

For questions about our use of cookies:

• Website: www.gauravpatil.online
• Contact Form: www.gauravpatil.online/contact
• Privacy Policy: View Privacy Policy

10. Data Protection

We protect cookie and storage data through:

• Encryption: Sensitive tokens encrypted before storage
• HttpOnly Flags: Critical cookies inaccessible to JavaScript
• Secure Flags: Cookies only transmitted over HTTPS
• SameSite Policy: Protection against CSRF attacks
• Auto-Expiration: Cookies automatically expire after set periods