Cookie Policy 🍪
Everything you need to know about cookies on Great North Social
The Cookie Scoop: We use cookies to remember your preferences and make your gaming experience smoother. Think of them as helpful little notes that make your visits more personalized!
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device (computer, phone, tablet) when you visit them. They're like digital sticky notes that help websites remember things about you for next time.
Don't worry—cookies can't access your personal files, install software, or harm your device. They're just simple text files that make websites work better.
Fun Fact:
Cookies got their name from "magic cookies," a programming term from the 1970s. Nothing to do with the delicious kind, but just as helpful in their own way!
2. Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
What they do: Keep the site working properly
Examples:
- Remember that you're logged in
- Keep your game session active
- Maintain security settings
- Remember your language preference
Can you disable them? Not really—the site won't work properly without them.
Preference Cookies
What they do: Remember your choices and settings
Examples:
- Your favorite games list
- Theme and display preferences
- Game settings and controls
- Community notification preferences
Can you disable them? Yes, but you'll need to reset your preferences each visit.
Analytics Cookies
What they do: Help us understand how the site is used
Examples:
- Which games are most popular
- How long people play
- Which features are used most
- Where people encounter problems
Can you disable them? Yes, and we'll still be friends! (But it helps us improve the site.)
Marketing Cookies
What they do: Show you relevant content and measure campaigns
Examples:
- Remember what games you're interested in
- Show relevant game recommendations
- Measure how effective our content is
Can you disable them? Absolutely! You might see less relevant content, but no worries.
3. How Long Do Cookies Last?
Session Cookies
Lifespan: Until you close your browser
Purpose: Keep you logged in during your visit
Example: Your current game session
Persistent Cookies
Lifespan: 30 days to 2 years (varies by purpose)
Purpose: Remember you between visits
Example: Your preferences and favorites
We regularly clean up old cookies and don't keep them longer than necessary. Most preference cookies last about a year, while analytics cookies typically expire after 30 days.
4. Third-Party Cookies
Sometimes we use services from other companies that might set their own cookies. Here's what you might encounter:
🎮 Game Providers
Some of our games are hosted by partner companies who may use cookies to provide the best gaming experience.
📊 Analytics Services
We use analytics tools to understand how people use our site, which helps us make it better for everyone.
🔗 Social Media
If you share content on social media or sign in with social accounts, those platforms may set cookies.
Important: These third-party cookies are governed by their respective companies' privacy policies, not ours. We choose our partners carefully and only work with reputable companies.
5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings:
🌐 Chrome
Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies
🦊 Firefox
Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies
🧭 Safari
Preferences → Privacy → Cookies
📱 Mobile
Check your browser's settings menu
Our Cookie Settings
We also provide our own cookie preference center where you can choose which types of cookies to allow. Look for the cookie settings link in our website footer or the consent banner.
What happens if you disable cookies?
- Essential cookies disabled: The site might not work properly
- Preference cookies disabled: You'll need to set preferences each visit
- Analytics cookies disabled: No impact on your experience
- Marketing cookies disabled: Less personalized content
6. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We might update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. When we do:
- We'll update the "last modified" date at the top
- Significant changes will be highlighted in our consent banner
- You'll have the opportunity to review and adjust your preferences
7. Questions About Cookies?
Still have questions about how we use cookies? Want to know more about a specific cookie? Need help managing your preferences? We're here to help!
Get in Touch:
📧 Email: cookies@greatnorthsocial.com
💬 Community Support: Available in-platform
📖 More Info: Check our Privacy Policy for broader data practices
Cookie Summary: We use cookies to make your Great North Social experience better, not to be sneaky or invasive. You're always in control, and we're always happy to explain what's happening behind the scenes! 🍪✨