Cookie Policy
PADICHAT COOKIE POLICY
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently and to provide information to website owners. Cookies do not contain viruses or malware and cannot access other files on your device.
Similar technologies we use include:
- Local storage — stores data in your browser
- Session storage — stores data temporarily during your browser session
- Pixel tags / web beacons — small images that track page visits and email opens
- Device fingerprinting — collects device characteristics for fraud prevention
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep you logged in to your Padichat account
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how you use our platform
- Improve platform performance and user experience
- Serve relevant advertising through Google AdSense
- Enable push notification functionality through OneSignal
- Detect and prevent fraud and security threats
- Comply with legal obligations
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the platform to function and cannot be disabled. Without them, core features such as logging in, accessing your account, and making purchases would not work.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| wordpress_logged_in_[hash] | WordPress | Keeps you logged in to your account | Session / persistent |
| wordpress_sec_[hash] | WordPress | Security authentication | Session |
| woocommerce_cart_hash | WooCommerce | Maintains your shopping cart | Session |
| woocommerce_items_in_cart | WooCommerce | Tracks items in your cart | Session |
| wp-settings-[user_id] | WordPress | Stores your WordPress preferences | 1 year |
| PHPSESSID | PHP | Maintains your session | Session |
3.2 Preference / Functional Cookies
These cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience. They are not strictly necessary but enhance functionality.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| wpforo_[hash] | wpForo | Remembers forum preferences and login state | 30 days |
| padichat_cookie_consent | Padichat | Stores your cookie consent preference | 1 year |
| padichat_language | Padichat | Remembers your language preference | 1 year |
3.3 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our platform. All data is aggregated and anonymised.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| ga[ID] | Google Analytics | Maintains session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users (24-hour window) | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
| gac[ID] | Google Analytics | Stores campaign information | 90 days |
Google Analytics data is processed in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy. We have enabled IP anonymisation in our Google Analytics configuration, meaning your full IP address is never stored by Google.
3.4 Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)
These cookies are used to serve relevant advertisements on our platform. They help us and our advertising partners deliver ads that may be relevant to you based on your interests.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| __gads | Google AdSense | Measures ad performance and prevents showing the same ad too frequently | 2 years |
| __gpi | Google AdSense | Stores user preferences for ads | 2 years |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick | Used for ad targeting and measurement | 2 years |
| DSID | Identifies signed-in Google users for ad personalisation | 2 weeks | |
| NID | Stores preferences and other information for Google services | 6 months |
You can opt out of personalised Google advertising at adssettings.google.com.
3.5 Push Notification Cookies (OneSignal)
These technologies enable us to send you push notifications when you have opted in.
| Technology | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| OneSignal device token | OneSignal | Identifies your device for push notification delivery | Until you opt out |
| onesignal-session | OneSignal | Manages notification session | Session |
You can opt out of push notifications at any time through your browser or device notification settings, or by contacting us at [email protected].
Some cookies on our platform are set by third parties. We do not control how these third parties use cookies. Please refer to their respective privacy policies:
- Google Analytics — policies.google.com/privacy
- Google AdSense — policies.google.com/privacy
- OneSignal — onesignal.com/privacy_policy
- WordPress / WooCommerce — automattic.com/privacy
- Printful — printful.com/policies/privacy
5.1 Cookie consent tool
When you first visit Padichat, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customise your preferences. You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in our footer.
5.2 Browser settings
You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Please note that blocking certain cookies may affect the functionality of our platform. Here are links to cookie management instructions for common browsers:
- Chrome: support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
- Firefox: support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies
- Safari: support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies
- Edge: support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies
5.3 Opt-out links
- Google Analytics opt-out: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Google ad personalisation: adssettings.google.com
- Network Advertising Initiative opt-out: optout.networkadvertising.org
- Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out: optout.aboutads.info
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom, our use of non-essential cookies (analytics, advertising) is based on your consent, which you provide through our cookie consent tool. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Strictly necessary cookies do not require your consent as they are essential for the operation of our platform.
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in applicable law, or other operational reasons. We will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this policy and, where changes are material, notify you through the platform or by email.
For any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy:
Email: [email protected] Website: padichat.com/contact