Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit our website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies contain information that is transferred to your device's hard drive and allow us to recognise you when you return to our website, helping us provide you with a better experience.

2. How We Use Cookies

Glowspire Institute uses cookies for several purposes:

• Essential functionality: To enable basic website features and navigation
• Performance: To analyse how visitors use our website and improve its performance
• Personalisation: To remember your preferences and settings
• Security: To protect against fraudulent activity and enhance website security
• Analytics: To understand visitor behaviour and improve our content

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable basic functionality such as page navigation, secure login, and form submissions. Without these cookies, certain parts of our website would not work.

• Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Security cookies: Protect against cross-site request forgery and other security threats
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences and settings

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous information about page visits, traffic sources, and user behaviour.

• Google Analytics: Tracks website usage statistics
• Performance cookies: Monitor website speed and functionality
• Error tracking: Help us identify and fix technical issues

3.3 Preference Cookies

These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, personalised features.

• Language preferences: Remember your preferred language
• Display settings: Store your preferred layout or theme
• Form data: Remember information you've entered in forms

4. Third-Party Cookies

Our website may include content or services from third parties that may set their own cookies. We do not control these third-party cookies and recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these third parties.

Common Third-Party Services:

• Google Analytics: Web analytics service
• Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram
• Email Marketing: Newsletter subscription services
• Payment Processors: For workshop and event payments

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

5.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

• Accept All: Allow all cookies for full website functionality
• Necessary Only: Only allow essential cookies required for basic functionality
• Customise: Choose which categories of cookies to accept

5.2 Browser Settings

You can also manage cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete existing cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies (may affect website functionality)
• Receive notifications when cookies are set

5.3 Opt-Out Links

For specific third-party services, you can opt-out directly:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Facebook: Facebook Cookie Settings
• Network Advertising Initiative: Opt-out of Interest-Based Advertising

6. Cookie Retention Periods

Different cookies have different retention periods:

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Essential cookies: Typically expire after 1-12 months
• Analytics cookies: Usually expire after 2 years
• Preference cookies: May persist for 1-2 years

7. Mobile Devices and Apps

If you access our website through a mobile device, cookies work similarly to desktop browsers. You can manage cookies through your mobile browser settings. We may also use similar technologies like local storage and device identifiers.

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you can browse our website with cookies disabled, some functionality may be limited:

• Contact forms may not work properly
• Your preferences won't be remembered between visits
• Some interactive features may not function
• We won't be able to provide personalised content
• Analytics data won't be collected to improve our services

9. Updates to Cookie Usage

We may occasionally update our cookie usage to improve our services or comply with legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update this Cookie Policy with the new information
• Display a notification on our website
• Request new consent if required by law
• Send notifications to newsletter subscribers if changes are material

10. Your Rights

Under Australian privacy law and international regulations, you have rights regarding cookies and tracking technologies:

• Right to information: Know what cookies are used and why
• Right to consent: Choose which cookies to accept
• Right to withdraw consent: Change your cookie preferences at any time
• Right to deletion: Request deletion of data collected through cookies

11. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect information collected through cookies:

• Cookies are transmitted securely using HTTPS encryption
• We regularly review and update our cookie practices
• Access to cookie data is restricted to authorised personnel
• We follow industry best practices for data protection
• Third-party services are required to maintain appropriate security standards

12. International Data Transfers

Some cookies and analytics services may transfer data to countries outside Australia, including the United States and European Union. We ensure that all such transfers comply with Australian privacy law and include appropriate safeguards.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions about our use of cookies or would like to update your cookie preferences, please contact us:

14. Cookie Management Tools