Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit our website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide a better user experience.

Cookies contain information about your visit to our website, such as your preferences, the pages you've viewed, and how you interact with our content. This information helps us improve our website and provide you with a more personalized experience.

Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies including:

• Web Beacons: Small transparent images that track user behavior
• Local Storage: Browser storage for temporary or persistent data
• Session Storage: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser
• Pixels: Tiny images that help track email opens and website visits

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several purposes to enhance your experience on our website:

Website Functionality

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Keep you logged in to your account during your visit
• Enable website features like contact forms and navigation
• Provide consistent user experience across different pages
• Support security measures and prevent fraud

Performance and Analytics

• Understand how visitors use our website
• Analyze traffic patterns and popular content
• Identify technical issues and improve website performance
• Track conversion rates and user engagement
• Test new features and improvements

Personalization

• Remember your communication preferences
• Show relevant content based on your interests
• Customize the website experience for return visitors
• Display appropriate language and regional content
• Save your progress through multi-page forms

Marketing and Communications

• Track the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
• Show relevant advertisements on other websites
• Measure email campaign performance
• Understand which services interest our visitors most
• Prevent duplicate marketing messages

3. Types of Cookies

We categorize cookies based on their purpose and duration:

By Duration

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them

By Origin

• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by our website (gudgecubet.com)
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (analytics, marketing tools)

By Purpose

We classify cookies into four main categories based on their functionality:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for basic website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand website usage and performance
• Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced features and personalization
• Marketing Cookies: Support advertising and marketing activities

4. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable basic features and cannot be disabled without affecting the website's functionality.

Important: Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are required for the website to function. However, you can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, though this may cause some parts of the website to not work properly.

5. Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, allowing us to improve user experience and content.

Data Privacy

Our analytics cookies are configured to:

• Anonymize IP addresses to protect user privacy
• Exclude personally identifiable information
• Aggregate data to understand general patterns
• Comply with privacy regulations and best practices

6. Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enable enhanced features and provide a more personalized experience based on your preferences and previous visits.

Benefits of Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance your experience by:

• Eliminating the need to re-enter preferences on each visit
• Providing a consistent, personalized experience
• Saving time when completing forms or inquiries
• Showing content most relevant to your interests
• Improving overall website usability and convenience

7. Marketing Cookies

Marketing cookies help us deliver relevant advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. These cookies require your explicit consent.

Marketing Cookie Benefits

When you consent to marketing cookies, they help us:

• Show you more relevant advertisements across the internet
• Avoid showing you the same advertisement repeatedly
• Measure how effective our advertising is
• Understand which services interest you most
• Improve our marketing messages and targeting

Opt-out: You can opt out of marketing cookies at any time through our cookie consent tool or by adjusting your browser settings.

8. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that we use to enhance functionality and analyze performance.

Third-Party Services

Third-Party Cookie Control

We carefully select third-party services that:

• Comply with privacy regulations and industry standards
• Provide clear opt-out mechanisms
• Offer transparent privacy policies
• Allow us to control data collection and use
• Support our commitment to user privacy

10. Cookie Consent and Compliance

We are committed to obtaining proper consent for cookie usage and complying with applicable privacy laws.

Consent Requirements

• Essential Cookies: No consent required (necessary for website function)
• Analytics Cookies: Implied consent based on continued website use
• Functional Cookies: Implied consent with clear opt-out options
• Marketing Cookies: Explicit consent required before activation

How We Obtain Consent

• Clear, prominent cookie banner when you first visit
• Detailed information about each cookie category
• Easy-to-use consent management tools
• Ability to withdraw consent at any time
• Regular reminders and re-consent opportunities

Compliance Standards

Our cookie practices comply with:

• Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• Australian Consumer Law
• Industry best practices and standards
• International privacy framework guidelines

Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information or use cookies to track children. If you believe a child has provided information through our cookies, please contact us immediately.

11. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable laws.

When We Update

We may revise this policy when we:

• Add new cookies or tracking technologies
• Change how we use existing cookies
• Update third-party services or providers
• Need to comply with new legal requirements
• Improve our privacy practices or transparency

How We Notify You

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
• Display a notice on our website
• Send email notifications to active users
• Request new consent where required by law
• Provide clear information about the changes

Your Continued Consent

By continuing to use our website after we post changes to this Cookie Policy, you accept the updated terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you can update your cookie preferences or stop using our website.

12. Contact Us About Cookies

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please don't hesitate to contact us.

What to Include in Your Inquiry

When contacting us about cookies, please include:

• Your specific question or concern about cookies
• The browser and device you're using
• Any error messages or technical issues
• Your preferred method of response

Response Time

We aim to respond to all cookie-related inquiries within 5 business days. For urgent privacy concerns, please mark your communication as "Urgent" and we will prioritize our response.

Privacy Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle cookies or your privacy, you can:

1. Contact us directly using the information above
2. Lodge a complaint with the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au
3. Seek advice from consumer protection agencies