Cookie Policy

Version

1.0

Effective Date

April 14, 2026

Last Updated

April 15, 2026

Note: When updated, the new version and effective date will be shown at the top of this page. The version in effect at the time you last accessed or used the Platform governs your use.

This Cookie Policy explains how HotDealsNearby.com LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and platform ("Platform"). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for a complete understanding of how we collect, use, and protect your information.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us recognize you, remember your preferences, improve security, and understand how the Platform is used. There are two main types:

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required for basic Platform functionality, security, and account management. These are set automatically and cannot be disabled. The Platform cannot function properly without them.

Functional Cookies

Remember your preferences (language, theme, location) to improve your experience. These require your consent.

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors use the Platform so we can improve performance and user experience. We use Google Analytics for this purpose. These require your consent.

Security / Fraud Prevention Cookies

Set by Stripe when business owners interact with paid advertising features. Used for payment security and fraud prevention only. These are set only when you access paid features.

We do not use advertising cookies or cookies for cross-context behavioral advertising. We do not sell or share personal information for advertising purposes.

Specific Cookies We Set

This table lists the cookies currently in use. We will update this table as our services evolve. For the most current information, contact us at support@hotdealsnearby.com.

Essential Cookies (First-Party — Set Automatically)

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
session_id/PHPSESSID Session management & authentication Session
csrf_token Security: prevents CSRF attacks Session
user_auth Persistent login token 30 days

Functional Cookies (First-Party — Require Consent)

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
user_preferences Stores language, theme, display 1 year
location_preference Remembers selected city/ZIP 90 days
tutorial_dismissed Tracks first-time tutorial dismissal 1 year

Analytics Cookies (Third-Party — Require Consent)

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Duration
_ga Google Analytics Unique user identifier 2 years
_gid Google Analytics Session-specific identifier 24 hours

Security / Fraud Prevention Cookies (Third-Party — Set Only During Paid Feature Access)

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Duration
__stripe_mid Stripe Fraud prevention and security 1 year
__stripe_sid Stripe Fraud prevention and security 30 minutes

Third-Party Cookies

The following third-party services may set their own cookies when you use the Platform. We encourage you to review their published privacy policies before using their services.

Google Analytics

Tracks Platform performance, user behavior, and engagement.

Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Cookie Usage: here

Stripe

Handles payment processing for business advertising features. Stripe cookies are set only when you access paid features, solely for security and fraud prevention.

Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy

Google OAuth

May set cookies during the account authentication process.

Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Apple OAuth

May set cookies during the account authentication process.

Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. Clicking through to their privacy policies before using their services is recommended.

Cookie Consent & Management

On your first visit to the Platform, you will see a cookie consent banner. Non-essential cookies (functional and analytics) are not set until you provide affirmative consent. You may:

If you decline non-essential cookies, the Platform will continue to function normally. Only essential cookies will be set.

You can update your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie preferences link in the website footer or by clearing cookies in your browser settings.

Essential cookies are set automatically and cannot be disabled as they are required for the Platform to operate.

California and EU/EEA Residents: We display the consent banner to all users regardless of location. If we ever use cookies for cross-context behavioral advertising or sharing of personal information, we will update this policy and provide a "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" option as required by California law (CPRA) before any such change takes effect.

Managing Cookies in Your Browser:

Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect Platform functionality.

Analytics Opt-Out:

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking at any time using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Extension or through Google's Privacy Settings.

Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Our Platform does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals. Industry standards for DNT implementation are not yet uniform. We honor your tracking preferences through our cookie consent banner instead. If our practice changes, we will update this policy accordingly.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy at any time. For material changes, we will notify registered users via email to the address on file before changes take effect. Non-material updates may take effect immediately. Continued use of the Platform after any update constitutes your acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.

It is your sole responsibility to maintain a valid, deliverable email address on your account. Failure to receive notice due to an invalid or undeliverable email address does not invalidate updated policies or provide grounds for objection.

Contact Us

For questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, contact us at:

Email (Primary Contact Method):
support@hotdealsnearby.com

Subject line: "Cookie Policy Question"

Response Time: We aim to respond within 5 business days.

For official or legal address inquiries, email us at support@hotdealsnearby.com with subject line "Official Address Request" and we will provide our current mailing address promptly.

Related Policies

This Cookie Policy should be read together with:

Governing Law

This Cookie Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Kentucky, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Disputes arising from this policy are subject to the dispute resolution provisions in our Terms of Service. For disputes arising from paid service data practices, the Business Services Terms & Conditions govern.

Your Privacy Rights Summary

We do not sell or share your personal information as defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). We do not use cookies for cross-context behavioral advertising.