Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners about how visitors use their sites.

2. How We Use Cookies

Dazzleshade Institute uses cookies to enhance your experience on our website and platform. We use cookies for various purposes, including:

• Maintaining your login session and security
• Remembering your preferences and settings
• Improving website functionality and performance
• Analyzing website usage and traffic patterns
• Providing personalized content and recommendations

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Necessary Cookies

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

• Session cookies: Maintain your login status and secure connection
• Security cookies: Protect against fraud and unauthorized access
• Load balancing cookies: Ensure optimal website performance
• Cookie consent cookies: Remember your cookie preferences

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance website functionality and remember your preferences:

• Language preferences: Remember your chosen language
• Theme settings: Store your display preferences
• Form data: Remember information you've entered in forms
• Accessibility settings: Store your accessibility preferences

3.3 Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website:

• Analytics cookies: Collect information about website usage
• Traffic measurement: Monitor website performance and traffic
• Error tracking: Identify and fix technical issues
• Speed optimization: Improve page loading times

3.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies

We do not currently use advertising cookies on our website. If this changes in the future, we will update this policy and seek your consent.

4. Third-Party Cookies

We may use third-party services that place cookies on your device. These include:

4.1 Analytics Services

• Google Analytics: Website traffic and user behavior analysis
• Hotjar: User experience and heatmap analysis

4.2 Security Services

• Cloudflare: Website security and performance optimization
• reCAPTCHA: Protection against spam and abuse

4.3 Communication Tools

• Video conferencing platforms: For online consultations
• Customer support chat: For real-time assistance

5. Cookie Duration

Cookies have different lifespans:

5.1 Session Cookies

These are temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. They are used to maintain your session during your visit.

5.2 Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. They are used to remember your preferences between visits.

Cookie Type	Duration	Purpose
Session cookies	Until browser is closed	Login session, security
Preference cookies	1 year	Remember settings
Analytics cookies	2 years	Website improvement
Security cookies	30 days	Fraud prevention

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Cookie Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner that allows you to:

• Accept All: Allow all cookies for optimal experience
• Necessary Only: Only allow essential cookies
• Customize: Choose which types of cookies to accept

6.2 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

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

6.3 Changing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer
• Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site
• Contacting us directly at [email protected]

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on our website:

7.1 Necessary Cookies

Disabling necessary cookies will prevent you from:

• Logging into your account
• Maintaining secure sessions
• Accessing patient portal features
• Completing online forms

7.2 Functional Cookies

Disabling functional cookies means:

• You'll need to reset preferences on each visit
• Form data won't be remembered
• Personalized features won't work
• Accessibility settings won't be saved

7.3 Performance Cookies

Disabling performance cookies:

• Prevents us from improving website performance
• Limits our ability to identify and fix issues
• Reduces our understanding of user needs

8. Mobile Applications

Our mobile applications may use similar technologies to cookies, including:

• Local storage for app preferences
• Analytics SDKs for app performance
• Push notification tokens
• Session management tokens

You can manage these through your device settings or app preferences.

9. Data Protection and Privacy

Cookie data is treated as personal information and is protected under:

• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
• Provincial privacy legislation
• Our Privacy Policy
• Industry security standards

10. International Users

While our services are primarily for Canadian residents, international visitors should be aware that:

• Cookies may be stored on servers located in Canada
• Different privacy laws may apply
• Some features may not be available outside Canada

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• Changes in cookie technologies
• New features or services
• Legal or regulatory changes
• User feedback and requests

We will notify you of significant changes through email or website notifications.

12. Contact Us

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

13. Additional Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy:

• All About Cookies
• Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada