Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 2025
Last Updated: January 2025

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of This Policy

Welcome to the Cookie Policy of 7t1.studio. This document explains how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website (https://7t1.studio) and in the digital marketing services we provide to our clients. As a digital marketing agency, we have a dual responsibility: managing cookies for our own website and helping clients implement compliant cookie strategies for their digital properties.

This policy has been created to provide clear, transparent information about our cookie practices in compliance with:

• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• The ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law)
• Other applicable data protection regulations worldwide

1.2 What Are Cookies?

Definition: Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit websites. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide enhanced functionality, and deliver relevant information to website operators and marketers.

How Cookies Work:

1. When you visit a website, it sends a cookie to your browser
2. Your browser stores the cookie on your device
3. On subsequent visits, your browser sends the cookie back to the website
4. The website recognizes the cookie and can remember information about your visit

Similar Technologies: We also use other tracking technologies that function similarly to cookies:

• Web Beacons/Pixels: Tiny transparent images that track user activity
• Local Storage: Data stored in your browser beyond a single session
• Session Storage: Temporary data storage during a single browser session
• IndexedDB: Browser-based database for storing larger amounts of data
• ETags: Entity tags used for browser cache validation

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Classification by Purpose

Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

Examples & Purposes:

• Session management and user authentication
• Security features and fraud prevention
• Load balancing and website performance
• Shopping cart functionality for e-commerce
• Consent management cookie storage

Duration: Typically session-only or short-term (24-48 hours)

Performance & Analytics Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.

Examples & Purposes:

• Google Analytics tracking and analysis
• Heat mapping and user behavior recording
• A/B testing and conversion rate optimization
• Error tracking and performance monitoring
• Website speed and performance measurement

Duration: 30 minutes to 2 years

Functionality Cookies

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.

Examples & Purposes:

• Language preference storage
• Region and location-based customization
• Font size and accessibility preferences
• Chat widget functionality and session tracking
• Form auto-completion and saved preferences

Duration: Up to 1 year

Marketing & Targeting Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other sites.

Examples & Purposes:

• Retargeting and remarketing campaigns
• Interest-based advertising
• Social media campaign tracking
• Conversion tracking for advertising campaigns
• Lookalike audience building and targeting

Duration: Up to 2 years

2.2 Classification by Source

First-Party Cookies

Set directly by 7t1.studio on our website for our own purposes.

Purposes:

• Website functionality and user experience
• Performance measurement and analytics
• Preference storage and personalization
• Security and authentication

Third-Party Cookies

Set by domains other than 7t1.studio, typically by our technology partners and service providers.

Common Third-Party Cookies:

Analytics Providers:

• Google Analytics: **utma, **utmb, **utmc, **utmz
• Hotjar: _hjIncludedInSessionSample, _hjAbsoluteSessionInProgress
• Microsoft Clarity: _clck, _clsk

Advertising Platforms:

• Google Ads: _gcl_au, _gid
• Facebook Pixel: _fbp, fr
• LinkedIn Insight Tag: lang, lidc
• Twitter Pixel: personalization_id

Marketing Tools:

• HubSpot: **hssc, **hssrc, __hstc
• Mailchimp: _AVESTA_ENVIRONMENT
• Intercom: intercom-id-[app_id]

Social Media:

• YouTube: VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, YSC
• Vimeo: player, vuid
• Facebook: datr, sb

3. Specific Cookie Usage on 7t1.studio

3.1 Our Website Cookies

Essential Cookies:

Analytics Cookies:

Marketing Cookies:

3.2 Cookie Usage in Client Services

As a digital marketing agency, we help clients implement and manage cookies for:

Analytics Implementation:

• Google Analytics 4 setup and configuration
• Event tracking and conversion measurement
• Custom dimension and metric implementation
• Cross-domain tracking setup
• Enhanced e-commerce tracking

Advertising Campaigns:

• Conversion tracking pixel implementation
• Retargeting audience building
• Lookalike audience creation
• Attribution modeling and tracking
• Cross-device tracking (where compliant)

Marketing Automation:

• Lead tracking and scoring cookies
• Behavior tracking for lead nurturing
• Personalization engine cookies
• Chat bot and messenger tracking

4. Cookie Management & Control

4.1 Initial Consent Mechanism

Cookie Banner: When you first visit our website, you'll see a clear cookie consent banner that:

• Informs you about our use of cookies
• Provides easy access to this detailed Cookie Policy
• Offers granular control over cookie categories
• Includes clear accept/reject buttons
• Remembers your preferences for future visits

Granular Controls: You can choose to accept or reject:

• Essential cookies (cannot be rejected - required for site function)
• Performance and analytics cookies
• Functionality cookies
• Marketing and targeting cookies

4.2 Browser-Based Controls

Managing Cookies in Your Browser:

Google Chrome:

1. Click the three dots in the top right corner
2. Select "Settings" > "Privacy and security"
3. Click "Cookies and other site data"
4. Adjust settings as preferred

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the menu button and select "Options"
2. Select "Privacy & Security"
3. Under "Cookies and Site Data," adjust settings

Safari:

1. Choose Safari > Preferences
2. Click Privacy
3. Under "Cookies and website data," choose your preferences

Microsoft Edge:

1. Select Settings and more > Settings
2. Select "Cookies and site permissions"
3. Click "Cookies and data stored"

Mobile Browsers: Similar controls are available in mobile browser settings, though options may be more limited.

4.3 Opt-Out Mechanisms

Advertising Opt-Outs:

Digital Advertising Alliance:

• Visit https://optout.aboutads.info/
• Use the "Your Ad Choices" tool
• Opt out of interest-based advertising

Network Advertising Initiative:

• Visit https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Manage preferences across multiple ad networks

Platform-Specific Opt-Outs:

• Google: https://adssettings.google.com
• Facebook: Settings & Privacy > Settings > Ads
• LinkedIn: Account > Settings & Privacy > Ads
• Twitter: Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety > Ads Preferences

Analytics Opt-Outs:

• Google Analytics: Install the browser opt-out add-on
• Hotjar: Disable via browser settings or contact us
• Microsoft Clarity: Use the opt-out mechanism on their site

4.4 "Do Not Track" Signals

Our Response to DNT: While some browsers offer "Do Not Track" (DNT) features, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to these signals. Currently, we do not respond to DNT signals, but we respect all cookie preferences set through our consent mechanism and browser settings.

5. Data Collected via Cookies

5.1 Types of Data Collected

Technical Information:

• IP address (anonymized where possible)
• Browser type and version
• Operating system and device type
• Screen resolution and color depth
• Language and timezone settings
• Network and ISP information

Usage Data:

• Pages visited and time spent
• Click patterns and navigation paths
• Scroll depth and engagement metrics
• Form interactions and conversions
• Download and video play activities

Location Data:

• Country and region (city-level, not precise)
• Based on IP address, not GPS data
• Used for language and content personalization

Preference Data:

• Cookie consent preferences
• Language and regional preferences
• Accessibility settings
• Personalization preferences

5.2 Data Usage Purposes

Website Operation:

• Ensuring proper website functionality
• Maintaining user sessions and security
• Load balancing and performance optimization
• Error detection and troubleshooting

Analytics & Improvement:

• Understanding user behavior and preferences
• Improving website content and structure
• Testing new features and designs
• Measuring marketing campaign effectiveness

Personalization:

• Remembering user preferences and settings
• Delivering region-specific content
• Providing personalized recommendations
• Optimizing user experience based on behavior

Marketing & Advertising:

• Measuring advertising campaign performance
• Retargeting website visitors
• Building audience segments
• Personalizing advertising content

6. Data Protection & Security

6.1 Data Security Measures

Technical Safeguards:

• Secure transmission via HTTPS/TLS
• Regular security updates and patches
• Access controls and authentication
• Encryption of sensitive cookie data
• Regular security audits and testing

Data Minimization:

• Collection of only necessary data
• Anonymization of IP addresses
• Short retention periods where possible
• Regular data cleanup and removal

Vendor Management:

• Due diligence on third-party providers
• Data processing agreements with vendors
• Regular review of vendor security practices
• Monitoring of vendor compliance

6.2 Data Retention Periods

Cookie-Specific Retention:

• Session cookies: Deleted when browser closes
• Persistent cookies: 24 hours to 2 years maximum
• Analytics data: Up to 26 months in aggregated form
• Advertising data: Up to 180 days for active campaigns

Data Deletion:

• Automatic expiration based on cookie settings
• Manual deletion through browser controls
• Regular cleanup of outdated data
• Compliance with data subject deletion requests

7. Third-Party Cookie Policies

7.1 Key Third-Party Providers

Google Services:

• Google Analytics: https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies
• Google Ads: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads
• YouTube: https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies

Social Media Platforms:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy
• Twitter: https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/twitter-cookies

Marketing Tools:

• HubSpot: https://legal.hubspot.com/cookie-policy
• Hotjar: https://help.hotjar.com/hc/en-us/articles/115011789248-Hotjar-Cookie-Information
• Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com/legal/cookies/

7.2 Embedded Content

Our website may include embedded content from:

• Social media posts and feeds
• Video platforms (YouTube, Vimeo)
• Maps (Google Maps)
• Forms and surveys
• Live chat widgets

These embedded elements may set their own cookies. We recommend reviewing the respective privacy policies of these services.

8. International Data Transfers

8.1 Cross-Border Data Flows

As cookies may involve data transfer to third countries, we ensure:

• Adequacy decisions where applicable
• Standard contractual clauses for international transfers
• Additional safeguards for data protection
• Transparency about data processing locations

8.2 Primary Processing Locations

• United States (primary for many third-party services)
• European Union (for EU-specific data processing)
• Other locations as specified by service providers

9. Client Cookie Policy Assistance

9.1 Services for Clients

As a digital marketing agency, we help clients with:

Cookie Policy Development:

• Custom cookie policy creation
• Compliance gap analysis
• Implementation guidance
• Ongoing compliance monitoring

Technical Implementation:

• Cookie consent management tool setup
• Tag management system configuration
• Cookie scanning and classification
• Compliance testing and auditing

Training & Support:

• Staff training on cookie compliance
• Regular compliance updates
• Audit support and documentation
• Regulatory change adaptation

9.2 Best Practices for Clients

Cookie Compliance Checklist:

• Conduct regular cookie audits
• Implement robust consent management
• Maintain accurate cookie inventories
• Provide clear user information and controls
• Document compliance efforts
• Review and update policies regularly

10. Policy Updates & Changes

10.1 Update Procedures

We regularly review and update this Cookie Policy to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and industry best practices. Significant changes will be:

• Communicated via website notice
• Reflected in updated policy version
• Documented with change logs
• Implemented with appropriate notice periods

10.2 Version Control

Current Version: 2.0 (January 2025)
Previous Updates:

• Version 1.0 (July 2023): Initial policy creation
• Version 1.1 (October 2023): Added third-party cookie details
• Version 2.0 (January 2025): Comprehensive update for new regulations

11. Contact & Support

11.1 Questions About Cookies

For questions about our cookie practices or to exercise your rights:

Data Protection Officer:

• Email: support@7t1.studio
• Phone: [Contact Number]
• Address: [7t1.studio Business Address]

Cookie-Specific Inquiries:

• Technical cookie questions: tech@7t1.studio
• Consent management: consent@7t1.studio
• Client cookie support: clients@7t1.studio

11.2 Regulatory Authority Contact

You have the right to lodge complaints with your local data protection authority if you believe we have not complied with applicable cookie regulations.

12. Additional Resources

12.1 Educational Materials

Understanding Cookies:

• Interactive cookie explanation tool
• Video tutorials on cookie management
• FAQ section for common questions
• Glossary of cookie-related terms

Compliance Resources:

• Regulatory guidance documents
• Industry best practice guides
• Compliance checklist templates
• Regular webinar updates

12.2 Related Policies

This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Client Service Agreements

This Cookie Policy provides comprehensive information about our use of cookies. By continuing to use our website after being informed about our cookie practices, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy.