Cookie Policy

Last updated: January 2025

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit the Smart Money Internet LLC website. They help us provide better service, remember your preferences, and improve your browsing experience. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.

How We Use Cookies

• Maintain your browsing session and keep you logged in
• Remember your project inquiry form data
• Remember your language and region preferences
• Analyze website traffic and user behavior
• Improve website performance and user experience
• Provide secure browsing sessions and protect against attacks

Categories of Cookies We Use

Cookie	Purpose	Duration
session_id	Maintain browsing session	Session
csrf_token	Security protection against CSRF attacks	Session
cookie_consent	Remember your cookie preferences	1 year
auth_token	Keep you logged into client portal	7 days

Cookie	Purpose	Duration
language	Remember selected website language	1 year
timezone	Display times in your local timezone	1 year
lead_form_data	Remember consultation form information	7 days

Cookie	Purpose	Duration
_ga	Google Analytics: Distinguish unique users	2 years
_gid	Google Analytics: Distinguish users within 24 hours	24 hours
_gat	Google Analytics: Throttle request rate	1 minute

Cookie	Purpose	Duration
theme_preference	Remember light/dark mode preference	1 year
portfolio_filter	Remember portfolio category preferences	30 days

Data Collected via Cookies

Through cookies, we may collect the following types of information:

• Technical Identifiers: Browser type, operating system, device information
• Session Identifiers: Unique tokens to maintain your browsing session
• Usage Data: Pages visited, services viewed, time spent on site
• Aggregated Analytics Data: Non-personally identifiable patterns and trends
• Preference Data: Your chosen language, timezone, and display settings
• Form Data: Temporarily stored consultation request information

Third-Party Cookies and Cross-Border Data Flows

We use certain third-party services that may set their own cookies. These services may process data in countries outside your jurisdiction, including the United States.

Google Analytics:

• Provider: Google LLC (USA)
• Purpose: Anonymized website analytics and performance monitoring
• Data Transferred: Aggregated usage patterns, anonymized user behavior
• Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
• Opt-Out: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Payment Processors (Stripe, PayPal):

• Provider: Stripe, Inc. & PayPal Holdings, Inc. (USA)
• Purpose: Secure payment processing and fraud detection
• Data Transferred: Payment transaction data, security tokens
• Privacy Policies: stripe.com/privacy & paypal.com/privacy

Legal Basis for Cookie Usage

Under GDPR and other privacy regulations, we use the following legal bases for cookies:

• Consent: We obtain your explicit consent before placing non-essential cookies (functional, analytics, preference cookies) on your device. You can withdraw consent at any time.
• Legitimate Interests: Strictly necessary cookies are placed based on our legitimate interest in providing secure and functional services. These cookies are essential and do not require consent.

Your Cookie Control Rights

You Have the Right To:

• Accept or Reject Cookies: Choose which cookie categories to enable when you first visit
• Withdraw Consent: Change your cookie preferences at any time through our cookie banner
• Disable Cookies: Use browser settings to block or delete cookies
• Opt-Out of Third-Party Cookies: Use provider-specific opt-out mechanisms

Managing Cookies Through Browser Settings

How to Control Cookies in Your Browser:

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Apple Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
• Opera: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies

For more information about managing cookies, visit: www.allaboutcookies.org

Your Consent

When you first visit the Smart Money Internet website:

• We display a cookie banner requesting your consent for optional cookies
• Strictly necessary cookies are placed automatically (as they are essential for website operation)
• You can accept all cookies, reject optional cookies, or customize your preferences
• Your consent choices are stored in the "cookie_consent" cookie
• You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in the footer
• Withdrawing consent will not affect previously collected data but will stop future data collection

Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• New cookies or tracking technologies we implement
• Changes to existing cookies or their purposes
• Changes in legal requirements or regulatory guidance
• Updates to third-party services we use

When we make significant changes, we will notify you through the website or via email. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when changes were last made.

Contact Us About Cookies