We use cookies for several important purposes: • Authentication: Keep you logged in to your Alton Studio account. • Security: Protect against fraud and unauthorized access. • Preferences: Remember your settings like theme (dark/light mode) and language. • Performance: Understand how you use the platform to fix bugs and improve features. • Analytics: Measure traffic patterns and popular content to make better product decisions. • Functionality: Enable features like shopping carts, content recommendations, and saved items.
We use different categories of cookies: **Strictly Necessary Cookies** These are essential for the website to function. They enable core functionality like security, authentication, and account access. You cannot opt out of these cookies. Examples: Session tokens, CSRF protection, load balancing **Functional Cookies** These remember your preferences and choices to provide enhanced, personalized features. Examples: Theme preference, language selection, recently viewed items **Analytics Cookies** These help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Examples: Google Analytics, usage statistics, page view tracking **Performance Cookies** These help us improve website speed and performance by understanding which pages are most popular and how users navigate the site. Examples: Load time tracking, error monitoring, A/B testing
In addition to our own cookies, we use cookies from trusted third-party services: • **Analytics Providers** (e.g., Google Analytics): Help us understand user behavior and improve the platform. • **Payment Processors** (e.g., Stripe): Enable secure payment transactions. • **Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)**: Deliver content faster by caching resources. • **Authentication Services**: Support social login options and account security. These third parties have their own privacy policies and cookie practices. We recommend reviewing their policies for more information on how they use cookies.
You can control and manage cookies in several ways: **Browser Settings** Most browsers allow you to: • View and delete cookies • Block third-party cookies • Block cookies from specific websites • Block all cookies (note: this may break website functionality) • Delete all cookies when you close your browser **Browser-Specific Instructions:** • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies • Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies • Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data • Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions **Opt-Out Tools** For analytics cookies, you can use: • Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on • Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page • Your device's advertising ID settings
When you first visit Alton Studio, we display a cookie banner that explains our use of cookies. You can choose to: • Accept all cookies • Reject non-essential cookies • Customize your preferences by cookie category You can change your cookie preferences at any time through the cookie settings link in the footer of our website. Your choices are stored in a cookie (ironically) so we can remember your preferences for future visits.
Cookie retention periods vary based on their type: **Session Cookies**: Deleted when you close your browser **Authentication Cookies**: Typically 30-90 days (or until you log out) **Preference Cookies**: Up to 1 year **Analytics Cookies**: Up to 2 years **Marketing Cookies**: Up to 1 year You can delete cookies manually at any time through your browser settings. Some cookies will be recreated on your next visit if they're necessary for the site to function properly.
Some browsers offer "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals that request websites not to track your browsing. While we respect user privacy, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Currently, we do not alter our data collection practices in response to DNT signals. However, you can still control cookies through your browser settings and our cookie preference center. We are monitoring the development of DNT standards and may update our approach as industry standards evolve.
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices. When we make significant changes, we will: • Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page • Notify you through a banner on our website • Send an email notification (for major changes) • Ask for renewed consent if required by law We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.