Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies allow a website to recognize your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions. They help websites remember information about your visit, like your preferred language and other settings, which can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

We also use similar technologies such as:

• Local Storage: Data stored locally in your browser (used for game data and FS points)
• Session Storage: Temporary data stored during your browser session
• Web Beacons: Small invisible images that may be used to track website usage
• Pixel Tags: Similar to web beacons, used to track user behavior

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

• Essential Functionality: To enable core website functionality and features
• Game Data Storage: To store your game progress, FS points, and statistics using localStorage
• Analytics: To understand how visitors interact with our website (if analytics services are enabled)
• Preferences: To remember your preferences and settings
• Security: To help protect against fraud and maintain website security
• Advertising: To display relevant advertisements (if advertising services are enabled)

3. Types of Cookies We Use

4. Third-Party Cookies

In addition to our own cookies, we may also use various third-party cookies to report usage statistics of the Service and deliver advertisements. These third parties may set their own cookies on your device.

4.1 Google Services

We may use the following Google services that set cookies:

4.1.1 Detailed Cookie Information

Google Analytics Cookies (if enabled):

• _ga: Used to distinguish users. Expires after 2 years.
• _gid: Used to distinguish users. Expires after 24 hours.
• _gat: Used to throttle request rate. Expires after 1 minute.
• _ga_*: Used to persist session state. Expires after 2 years.
• _gac_*: Contains campaign-related information. Expires after 90 days.

Google AdSense Cookies (if advertisements are displayed):

• Various cookies used for ad personalization, frequency capping, and ad measurement
• Cookies may include identifiers for ad targeting and conversion tracking
• Duration varies but typically ranges from 30 days to 1 year

For more information about how Google uses cookies and data when you use our website, visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

4.2 Other Third-Party Services

We may integrate other third-party services that use cookies. Each third-party service has its own cookie policy, which we encourage you to review.

5. Local Storage and Session Storage

In addition to cookies, Animal Games Platform uses browser storage technologies:

5.1 Local Storage

We use localStorage to store your game data locally on your device, including:

• FS (Fantasy Score) points
• Game statistics and progress
• Game preferences and settings
• Recent activity

Important: Local storage data remains on your device until you manually clear it. Clearing your browser's cache or local storage will permanently delete your game data.

5.2 Session Storage

We may use session storage to temporarily store information during your browser session. This data is automatically deleted when you close your browser.

6. Cookie Consent (UK/EU Requirements)

Under UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), we are required to obtain your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device.

6.1 Your Consent

By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. However, you have the right to:

• Accept or reject non-essential cookies
• Withdraw your consent at any time
• Delete cookies that have already been set

6.2 Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can manage your cookie preferences through:

• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or accept cookies. You can also delete cookies that have already been set.
• Cookie Consent Banner: If we display a cookie consent banner, you can manage your preferences there.
• Third-Party Opt-Out Tools: Use opt-out tools provided by third-party services (e.g., Google Analytics Opt-out, Google Ad Settings).

7. How to Manage Cookies

You have several options to manage or disable cookies:

7.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. Here are links to instructions for popular browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Note: Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website, and you may not be able to access certain features or save your game progress.

7.2 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Google AdSense: Google Ad Settings
• Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Opt-Out Page
• European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: Your Online Choices

7.3 Mobile Device Settings

If you access our website on a mobile device, you can manage cookies through your device's browser settings, similar to desktop browsers.

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that:

• Essential Functionality: Disabling strictly necessary cookies may prevent the website from functioning properly
• Game Progress: Disabling localStorage may prevent your game progress and FS points from being saved
• Preferences: Your preferences and settings may not be remembered
• User Experience: Some features may not work as intended or may be unavailable

We recommend allowing essential cookies to ensure the best experience on our website.

9. Cookie Duration

Cookies can be either "persistent" or "session" cookies:

• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. They are activated each time you visit the website.
• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser.

9.1 Cookie Lifespan by Category

The duration of cookies we use varies by category:

• Essential Cookies: May persist for up to 1 year or until you delete them. These are necessary for the website to function.
• Performance/Analytics Cookies: Typically persist for up to 2 years. Used to track website usage and performance.
• Functionality Cookies: May persist for up to 1 year. Used to remember your preferences.
• Advertising Cookies: May persist for up to 1 year. Used for ad targeting and measurement.
• Local Storage: Persists until you manually clear it. Used for game data and preferences.
• Session Storage: Deleted when you close your browser. Used for temporary session data.

9.2 Cookie Refresh and Renewal

Some cookies may be refreshed or renewed:

• When you visit our website, persistent cookies may be refreshed with a new expiration date
• Session cookies are created fresh each time you visit
• Third-party cookies follow their own refresh policies as determined by the third-party service

9.3 Cookie Expiration Details

Specific expiration times for common cookies:

• Game Progress Cookies: Typically 1 year or until manually deleted
• Preference Cookies: Typically 1 year or until manually deleted
• Analytics Cookies: 24 hours to 2 years depending on the specific cookie
• Advertising Cookies: 30 days to 1 year depending on the specific cookie

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons.

We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the new Cookie Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Cookie Policy
• Displaying a notice on our website (if significant changes are made)

You are advised to review this Cookie Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Cookie Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

11. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR and data protection laws, you have the right to:

• Be Informed: Know what cookies are being used and why
• Give Consent: Choose whether to accept or reject non-essential cookies
• Withdraw Consent: Change your cookie preferences at any time
• Access: Request information about cookies used on our website
• Delete: Delete cookies that have been set on your device

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below, or manage your preferences through your browser settings.

12. Children's Privacy

We are committed to protecting children's privacy online. If you are a parent or guardian:

• You can manage cookies on your child's device through browser settings
• You can clear local storage to remove your child's game data
• You can contact us if you have concerns about cookies used on our website

For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

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

• Data Controller: Animal Games Platform
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: About Page
• Address: United Kingdom

For data protection inquiries, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK:

• ICO Website: https://ico.org.uk
• ICO Helpline: 0303 123 1113

14. Additional Resources

For more information about cookies and how to manage them, you may find these resources helpful:

• All About Cookies - General information about cookies
• ICO Guide to Cookies - UK Information Commissioner's Office guide
• Google's Cookie Policy - Information about Google's use of cookies
• Your Online Choices - European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance
• Network Advertising Initiative - Understanding online advertising and cookies

15. Cookie List and Details

Below is a detailed list of cookies that may be used on our website:

15.1 First-Party Cookies

15.2 Third-Party Cookies (Google Analytics - if enabled)

15.3 Third-Party Cookies (Google AdSense - if advertisements displayed)

Google AdSense uses various cookies for advertising purposes. These cookies are managed by Google and may include:

• Cookies for ad personalization and targeting
• Cookies for frequency capping (limiting how often you see ads)
• Cookies for conversion tracking
• Cookies for ad measurement and analytics

For a complete list of Google AdSense cookies, please refer to Google's Cookie Policy.

16. Cookie Consent Mechanisms

16.1 Consent Methods

We obtain your consent for cookies through:

• Cookie Banner: A banner that appears when you first visit our website (if implemented)
• Browser Settings: Your browser settings may indicate your cookie preferences
• Continued Use: By continuing to use our website after being informed about cookies, you consent to their use

16.2 Withdrawing Consent

You can withdraw your consent at any time by:

• Adjusting your browser settings to reject cookies
• Using browser extensions that block cookies
• Clearing existing cookies from your browser
• Using opt-out tools provided by third-party services

16.3 Impact of Withdrawing Consent

If you withdraw consent for non-essential cookies:

• Essential functionality will continue to work
• Some features may be limited or unavailable
• Your preferences may not be remembered
• Analytics and personalization features may be disabled

17. Cookie Policy Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• Changes in the cookies we use
• Changes in third-party services
• Changes in legal requirements
• Improvements to our cookie management practices

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify users through a notice on our website (if significant changes)
• Provide information about the changes

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.