Cookie Policy

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. They allow the site to recognise your browser on subsequent visits or pages. "Similar technologies" include localStorage (HTML5), sessionStorage, IndexedDB, and tracking pixels.

This policy covers all such technologies, not just classic cookies.

2. What we use on Buyvotescontest.com

We classify our use into four categories, in line with EU ePrivacy and the IAB TCF v2.2 taxonomy.

2.1 Strictly necessary (no consent required)

These are required for the site to function. Cannot be switched off.

• localStorage bvc-cookie-ack — Origin: this site. Purpose: remembers your cookie-banner choice (accepted / rejected / timestamp). Retention: until you clear browser storage. Not transmitted to our servers.
• localStorage bvc-currency — Origin: this site. Purpose: remembers your selected display currency. Retention: until you clear storage.
• Cloudflare cf_clearance — Origin: Cloudflare. Purpose: confirms your browser passed a security challenge (DDoS / bot filter). Retention: 30 days. Functional necessity for site security.
• Cloudflare __cf_bm — Origin: Cloudflare. Purpose: bot management. Retention: 30 minutes. Functional necessity.

2.2 Functional (loaded only with your Accept)

These enhance usability but are not strictly required.

• JivoChat live-chat widget cookies — Origin: jivosite.com. Purpose: maintains your live-chat session, recognises returning visitors so chat history is preserved, basic geolocation for routing to nearest support time zone. Retention: 1 year. Set only after you click Accept on our banner. Manage in your browser or via the JivoChat privacy policy.
• Telegram WebApp cookies (if you embed our Telegram chat) — Origin: telegram.org. Purpose: maintain your Telegram session. Retention: per Telegram policy.

2.3 Analytics (currently disabled)

We have not enabled any analytics cookies as of the last-updated date above. If we add Cloudflare Web Analytics (privacy-first, no client-side cookie set) in the future, no consent will be needed because no personal data is stored client-side. If we ever add a different analytics service that requires cookies, it will be opt-in via the consent banner and disclosed here.

2.4 Marketing / advertising (none)

We do not use:

• Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag
• Remarketing or retargeting cookies
• Conversion tracking pixels from advertising platforms
• Cross-site identifiers or fingerprinting libraries

Our marketing is content-driven (blog, pillars, AI search visibility) — no third-party advertising platforms.

3. How to control cookies

3.1 Via our consent banner

On your first visit you see a banner at the bottom of the screen with two equal-weight buttons:

• Accept — enables functional cookies (JivoChat).
• Reject — only strictly-necessary cookies will be set. JivoChat will not load.

You can revisit this choice anytime by clearing localStorage.bvc-cookie-ack in your browser developer tools (Application → Storage tab), or by clearing all site data via your browser settings.

3.2 Via your browser

Most browsers let you control cookies via 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 → Manage and delete cookies and site data
• Mobile: in iOS Settings → Safari, or Android Chrome → Settings → Site Settings → Cookies

You can also use private/incognito browsing mode, which discards all cookies when you close the window.

3.3 Global Privacy Control (GPC)

We respect the Global Privacy Control signal. If your browser sends GPC, we treat it as an explicit "Do Not Sell or Share" request and an automatic reject for non-essential cookies.

4. Cookie lifetimes summary

5. Children

We do not knowingly set non-essential cookies on devices belonging to children under 16 without parental consent.

6. Changes to this policy

If we add a new cookie or change the purpose of an existing one, we update this page and re-prompt you for consent where required. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the latest revision.

7. Questions

Cookie or tracking questions: [email protected] (subject "Cookie question"). For broader privacy questions see our Privacy Policy.

Related: Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · DMCA · Service Rules