Cookie Policy

# Cookie Policy

**Last Updated: July 18, 2025**  
**Effective Date: July 18, 2025**

## 1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Playmakers Edge ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and platform. This policy is part of our Privacy Policy and should be read in conjunction with it.

We are committed to transparency about our use of cookies and providing you with control over your data. We comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ePrivacy Directive, and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

## 2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit our website. They help us:
- Remember your preferences
- Understand how you use our platform
- Improve your experience
- Provide relevant content

### Types of Technologies We Use

- **Cookies**: Small text files stored on your device
- **Local Storage**: Similar to cookies but with larger capacity
- **Session Storage**: Temporary storage cleared when you close your browser
- **Pixels/Web Beacons**: Invisible images that track user behavior
- **Device Fingerprinting**: Techniques to identify unique devices

## 3. Cookie Categories

We use the following categories of cookies:

### 3.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

**Purpose**: Required for the website to function properly  
**Consent**: Not required (but we still inform you)  
**Duration**: Session or up to 12 months  

| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|------------|----------|---------|----------|
| session_id | Playmakers Edge | Maintains user session | Session |
| csrf_token | Playmakers Edge | Security - prevents CSRF attacks | Session |
| auth_token | Playmakers Edge | Authentication after login | 7 days |
| cookie_consent | Playmakers Edge | Stores your cookie preferences | 12 months |
| load_balancer | Playmakers Edge | Distributes traffic across servers | Session |

### 3.2 Functional Cookies (Preferences)

**Purpose**: Remember your choices and provide enhanced features  
**Consent**: Required  
**Duration**: Up to 12 months  

| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|------------|----------|---------|----------|
| language | Playmakers Edge | Stores language preference | 12 months |
| timezone | Playmakers Edge | Stores timezone setting | 12 months |
| theme | Playmakers Edge | Dark/light mode preference | 12 months |
| player_view | Playmakers Edge | Preferred player stats view | 6 months |
| team_favorites | Playmakers Edge | Your favorite teams | 12 months |

### 3.3 Analytics Cookies (Performance)

**Purpose**: Help us understand how visitors use our website  
**Consent**: Required  
**Duration**: Up to 24 months  

| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|------------|----------|---------|----------|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 months |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
| _gcl_au | Google Analytics | Conversion tracking | 90 days |
| plausible_* | Plausible Analytics | Privacy-focused analytics | 24 hours |

### 3.4 Marketing Cookies (Advertising)

**Purpose**: Track activity across websites to show relevant ads  
**Consent**: Required  
**Duration**: Up to 12 months  

| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|------------|----------|---------|----------|
| _fbp | Facebook | Facebook Pixel tracking | 90 days |
| fr | Facebook | Ad delivery and measurement | 90 days |
| IDE | Google/DoubleClick | Ad targeting | 12 months |
| NID | Google | Ad personalization | 6 months |
| test_cookie | DoubleClick | Check if cookies can be set | 15 minutes |

## 4. Third-Party Cookies

We work with trusted third parties who may set cookies:

### Analytics Partners
- **Google Analytics**: Website usage analysis
- **Plausible Analytics**: Privacy-focused analytics
- **Mixpanel**: Product analytics (if enabled)

### Payment Services
- **Stripe**: Payment processing (essential for purchases)

### Authentication
- **Google OAuth**: Social login functionality

### Marketing Partners (if consented)
- **Google Ads**: Remarketing and conversion tracking
- **Facebook Pixel**: Social media advertising
- **Twitter Analytics**: Social media insights

## 5. Your Cookie Choices

### 5.1 Cookie Consent

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner allowing you to:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject non-essential cookies
- Customize your preferences by category

**Important**: We do NOT set any non-essential cookies until you provide consent.

### 5.2 Managing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time:
1. Click the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer
2. Access your account settings under "Privacy"
3. Use our cookie preference center

### 5.3 Browser Controls

Most browsers allow you to:
- View, delete, and block cookies
- Set preferences for specific websites
- Use private/incognito mode

Browser cookie settings:
- Chrome: chrome://settings/cookies
- Firefox: about:preferences#privacy
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy
- Edge: edge://settings/privacy

### 5.4 Opt-Out Tools

- Google Analytics: [tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout](https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout)
- Facebook: [facebook.com/help/568137493302217](https://facebook.com/help/568137493302217)
- NAI Opt-Out: [optout.networkadvertising.org](https://optout.networkadvertising.org)
- DAA Opt-Out: [optout.aboutads.info](https://optout.aboutads.info)

## 6. Cookie Details by Page/Feature

### 6.1 Homepage and Public Pages
- Essential cookies only (no consent required)
- Analytics cookies (with consent)

### 6.2 User Dashboard
- Essential cookies for authentication
- Functional cookies for preferences
- Analytics cookies (with consent)

### 6.3 Simulation Tools
- Essential cookies for session management
- Functional cookies for saved settings
- Performance cookies to optimize simulations

### 6.4 Payment Pages
- Essential cookies for security
- Stripe payment cookies (essential)
- Fraud prevention cookies (essential)

## 7. Data Retention

Cookie data is retained according to the durations listed above. When cookies expire:
- They are automatically deleted by your browser
- Associated data on our servers is purged within 30 days
- Aggregated analytics data may be retained longer in anonymized form

## 8. Cross-Border Data Transfer

Cookies may result in data being transferred to:
- United States (our primary servers)
- Countries where our service providers operate

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

## 9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
- Changes in our cookie usage
- New legal requirements
- New features or services

We'll notify you of material changes via:
- Email notification
- Platform notification
- Updated cookie banner

## 10. Impact of Refusing Cookies

If you refuse non-essential cookies:
- The website will still function normally
- You can access all core features
- Some personalization may be limited
- Analytics will be less detailed
- You won't see targeted advertising

We will NEVER:
- Block access for refusing cookies
- Degrade core functionality
- Charge different prices
- Provide inferior service

## 11. Cookie-Free Alternatives

We're committed to privacy-first approaches:
- Server-side analytics where possible
- First-party data collection
- Privacy-preserving technologies
- Minimal data collection principles

## 12. Children and Cookies

Our service is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly:
- Set marketing cookies for minors
- Track children's behavior
- Collect data from users under 18

## 13. Contact Us

For questions about our use of cookies:

**Email**: privacy@playmakersedge.com  
**Data Protection Officer**: dpo@playmakersedge.com  
**Cookie-Specific Inquiries**: cookies@playmakersedge.com

## 14. Technical Implementation

For developers and technical users:

### 14.1 Cookie Attributes
We set appropriate security attributes:
- `Secure`: Cookies only sent over HTTPS
- `HttpOnly`: Prevents JavaScript access (where appropriate)
- `SameSite`: Prevents CSRF attacks
- `Domain`: Restricted to our domain

### 14.2 Consent Management
We use a Consent Management Platform (CMP) that:
- Blocks scripts until consent is given
- Records consent choices
- Provides granular control
- Syncs across devices (when logged in)

### 14.3 Do Not Track
We respect Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals:
- No marketing cookies if DNT is enabled
- Limited analytics (essential only)
- Full functionality maintained

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This Cookie Policy is effective as of the date stated above and will remain in effect except with respect to any changes in its provisions in the future, which will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page.