Cookie Usage Policy

Cookie Definition: Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) during visits. They contain information about your actions and preferences and help the site "remember" you on subsequent visits. Cookie size typically does not exceed a few kilobytes.

Purpose of Use: Consultora uses cookies to improve our website functionality, personalize your platform interaction experience, analyze visitor behavior to optimize content and services, ensure your session security, and provide relevant information about our consulting services. We use cookies responsibly and transparently, in accordance with the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and GDPR.

Types of Tracking Technologies: In addition to traditional cookies, we may also use web beacons - invisible images on web pages for analytics, browser local storage for saving user settings, pixel tags in email campaigns to track opens and clicks, browser fingerprinting in limited scope for fraud prevention.

Consent for Use: During your first visit to our site, you will see a banner requesting consent for cookie usage. You can accept all cookies, reject optional ones, or configure preferences in detail. Continued use of the site without changing settings implies consent to cookie usage according to this Policy.

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These files are absolutely essential for website operation and cannot be disabled in our systems. They are typically set only in response to your actions: logging in, filling out forms, configuring privacy settings. Examples: session cookies for user authentication, security cookies for CSRF attack protection, load balancing cookies for traffic distribution. These cookies do not require your consent as they are necessary for basic functionality.

Functional Cookies: These files allow the site to remember your choices and preferences to provide enhanced and personalized experience. Examples: interface language and regional settings, saved filters and search parameters, content display preferences, filled form information for return visit convenience. Without these cookies, some or all of these functions may work incorrectly. Storage period: up to 12 months.

Analytical/Performance Cookies: These files help us understand how visitors interact with the site by collecting anonymous statistics. We use Google Analytics and proprietary analytical tools to track visitor numbers and traffic sources, popular pages and time spent on site, navigation paths and exit points, device and browser technical characteristics, page performance metrics. This data helps improve site structure and content. Storage period: up to 24 months.

Marketing/Targeting Cookies: These files are used to display relevant advertising and measure advertising campaign effectiveness. They may be set by our advertising partners through our site. Examples: tracking conversions from advertising channels, visitor retargeting on other platforms, advertising message personalization, marketing channel effectiveness analytics. We work with platforms such as Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Facebook Pixel. Storage period: up to 24 months.

Consultora's Own Cookies:
• consultora_session — session cookie for maintaining your login and navigation (necessary, expires after browser closure)
• cl_user_prefs — stores your interface and language preferences (functional, 12 months)
• cl_cookie_consent — remembers your cookie choices (necessary, 12 months)
• cl_analytics_id — anonymous identifier for internal analytics (analytical, 24 months)

Third-Party Cookies from Partners:
• Google Analytics (_ga, _gid, _gat) — traffic analysis and visitor behavior analytics (analytical, 24 months)
• Google Tag Manager (_gcl_au) — tracking tag management (analytical, 3 months)
• LinkedIn Insights (li_sugr, UserMatchHistory) — B2B audience analytics (marketing, 24 months)
• Facebook Pixel (_fbp, fr) — conversion tracking and retargeting (marketing, 90 days)
• Hotjar (_hjid, _hjSessionUser) — user behavior recording and heat maps (analytical, 12 months)

Data Storage: Cookies can be stored on your device for various periods: session cookies are deleted after browser closure, persistent cookies remain until expiration or deletion by you, super-cookies (evercookie) we do NOT use. You can view all installed cookies through your browser settings in the "Privacy" or "Cookies" section.

Management Through Site Settings: Our site provides a convenient cookie management tool. You can change your preferences at any time through the "Cookie Settings" link in the site footer or through the pop-up banner during first visit. You can enable or disable cookie categories (except strictly necessary ones), view the list of all used cookies with descriptions, export your current settings, completely delete all optional cookies.

Management Through Browser: All modern browsers allow cookie management through settings:
• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and Other Site Data
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and Site Permissions → Manage and Delete Cookies
You can block all cookies, allow only third-party cookies, delete cookies when closing browser, view and delete individual cookies manually.

Incognito/Private Browsing Mode: Using incognito or private browsing mode prevents cookie storage after closing the browser window. However, during the session cookies may still be used to ensure basic website functionality. This mode does not make you anonymous to websites or your internet provider.

Consequences of Disabling Cookies: If you choose to disable or delete cookies, this may affect website functionality: inability to save settings and preferences, need to log in again on each visit, limited access to personalized content, inability to track analytics for site improvement. Strictly necessary cookies will continue to be used to ensure basic security and navigation functions.

Analytics Partners: We use third-party analytics services to understand how visitors use our site. Google Analytics collects anonymized data about visits, traffic sources, audience demographics, site actions. Data is processed according to Google's privacy policy. You can disable Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out browser extension. Hotjar is used for recording user sessions, creating click heat maps, collecting feedback through surveys. Data is anonymized and used exclusively for UX improvement.

Advertising Partners: We may work with advertising platforms that use cookies to display relevant advertisements. Google Ads allows tracking advertising effectiveness and showing relevant ads based on your interests. LinkedIn Ads is used for B2B marketing and targeting professional audiences. Facebook Pixel tracks conversions from social networks. You can opt out of personalized advertising through these platforms' settings or through industry initiatives such as Your Online Choices (youronlinechoices.com) or Network Advertising Initiative (networkadvertising.org).

International Data Transfer: Some of our partners (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn) may process cookie data on servers located outside South Africa, including the USA and European Union. We guarantee that such transfer is conducted with adequate data protection measures in accordance with POPIA and GDPR, including Standard Contractual Clauses and certification mechanisms.

Embedded Content: Our site may contain embedded content from third parties (YouTube videos, LinkedIn posts, Google Maps). These services may set their own cookies when viewing such content. We do not control these cookies and recommend reviewing the privacy policies of the respective platforms.

Cookie Security Measures: Consultora applies strict security measures to protect data collected through cookies. We use Secure and HttpOnly flags for critical cookies, preventing their interception and access through JavaScript. Cookies are transmitted only through secure HTTPS connections with TLS 1.3 encryption. We apply the SameSite attribute for CSRF attack protection. We regularly conduct security audits and update lists of used cookies. We limit cookie validity periods to the minimally necessary timeframe.

Storage and Data Deletion: Data collected through cookies is stored only for the necessary period and automatically deleted upon expiration. Analytical data is anonymized and aggregated. When deleting your account or upon your request, we delete all associated personal data within 30 days. You can request deletion of all your cookie-related data at any time by contacting us.

Cookie Policy Updates: We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in used technologies, legislation, or our practices. We will notify you of substantial changes through a site banner or by email 30 days before changes take effect. The date of last update is always indicated at the beginning of the document. We recommend periodically checking this page for current information.

Your Rights and Complaints: In accordance with POPIA and GDPR, you have the right to know what data is collected through cookies, request access to collected data, demand correction or deletion of data, object to the use of certain cookie types, withdraw consent to processing at any time. If you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Information Regulator South Africa or the relevant supervisory authority of your country.

Contact Information: For all questions related to cookie usage, contact:
Consultora
33 Loop Street, Cape Town, South Africa, 8000
Phone: +27 21 488 1219
Email: [email protected]
Email Subject: "Cookie Policy Inquiry"
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00 SAST
We will respond to your inquiry within 5 business days.