Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide information to website owners.

Cookies set by the website you're visiting are called first-party cookies. Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called third-party cookies. Third-party cookies may apply when you use payment checkout, connect Google or Facebook, or when vendors we rely on set their own cookies, as described below.

In addition to cookies, we may also use similar technologies such as web beacons (small transparent image files), pixel tags, and local storage. This policy covers all such technologies collectively.

2. Cookies We Use

The KudosStream Next.js web application does not currently set first-party HTTP cookies for sign-in, preferences, analytics, or marketing. After you log in or register, we store your API authentication token in the browser's localStorage under the key token. That behaves like essential session storage for the dashboard: it persists until you sign out or clear site data for this origin.

The table below lists that first-party storage. If we introduce HTTP cookies or additional storage keys, we will update this policy.

Clearing site data or blocking storage for this website will remove or prevent this token and you will not stay signed in. Third-party cookies from checkout, OAuth, or analytics tools are covered in Section 4.

3. Cookie Categories Explained

Essential Cookies

For the current web app, essential session functionality is provided by the token entry in localStorage (Section 2), not by HTTP cookies. Without it, you cannot use authenticated parts of the Service.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow a site to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features. We do not currently use first-party HTTP cookies or localStorage for functional personalization (for example, sidebar state is kept in memory for the page session only). If we add persistent functional storage, we will list it in Section 2.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help operators understand how visitors use a product. We do not currently set first-party analytics cookies or analytics keys in localStorage in this application. Third-party analytics may still set cookies as described in Section 4.

Marketing Cookies

Marketing cookies measure advertising effectiveness. We do not currently set first-party marketing cookies in this application.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on the KudosStream platform are set by trusted third-party services we use to operate and improve the Service. These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies, which we encourage you to review.

Analytics Providers

We use third-party analytics tools to help us understand usage patterns. These tools may set their own cookies on your device. Data collected is used in aggregate to improve our Service and is not sold or shared for advertising purposes.

Stripe (payment processing)

When you enter payment information through Stripe Checkout or the Stripe Customer Portal, Stripe, Inc. may set cookies on Stripe's domains necessary to process the transaction securely. Those cookies are essential to billing and cannot be disabled during checkout on Stripe-hosted pages.

Google and Facebook (Connected Accounts Only)

If you connect your Google Business Profile or Facebook Page to KudosStream, those platforms may set cookies as part of the OAuth authentication flow. These cookies are governed by Google's Privacy Policy (policies.google.com/privacy) and Meta's Privacy Policy (privacycenter.fb.com/policy) respectively. KudosStream does not control these cookies.

Showcase Widgets

If you embed a KudosStream review widget on your own website, the widget may set analytics cookies on your website visitors' devices to track widget interactions. You are responsible for disclosing this to your website visitors in your own privacy or cookie policy.

5. Managing and Disabling Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies. Instructions for the most common browsers:

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies

Important: Clearing site data or blocking storage for this site will remove the token value and prevent you from staying logged in to the KudosStream dashboard. Use browser controls appropriate to cookies and local/site storage.

Opt-Out of Analytics

To opt out of analytics tracking specifically, you can install a browser-level opt-out add-on, or contact us at privacy@kudosstream.com to request that your account be excluded from aggregate analytics reporting.

6. Do Not Track

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting that sends a signal to websites requesting that your browsing activity not be tracked. There is currently no industry-wide standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

At this time, KudosStream does not alter its data collection practices in response to DNT signals. If a standard is adopted in the future, we will update this policy accordingly.

7. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for legal, technical, or operational reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page.

We encourage you to periodically review this page to stay informed about our use of cookies. Your continued use of the Service after any updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please contact us:

KudosStream
Email: privacy@kudosstream.com
Website: www.kudosstream.com

See also our Privacy Policy.