COOKIE POLICY

This Cookie Policy explains how The Elder Spores Online LLC ("we," "our," "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at theeldersporesonline.com (the "Platform").

1. WHAT ARE COOKIES?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. Cookies help websites recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as preferences, login status, and browsing behavior.

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• First-Party Cookies: Set by us (The Elder Spores Online)
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (Discord, Stripe, Google, etc.)

2. WHY WE USE COOKIES

We use cookies for the following purposes:

2.1 Essential/Required Cookies

• Maintain your login session after Discord authentication
• Remember your authentication state
• Enable security features and fraud prevention
• Load balance traffic across servers
• Store temporary data during your session

2.2 Functional Cookies

• Remember your language preferences
• Store display settings (theme, layout)
• Remember your subscription tier
• Save your content preferences

2.3 Analytics/Performance Cookies

• Track page views and navigation patterns
• Measure time spent on pages
• Identify popular features and content
• Detect errors and performance issues
• Provide anonymized usage statistics

• Google Analytics

2.4 Advertising Cookies (Free-Tier Users Only)

• Track browsing behavior for ad targeting
• Measure ad performance
• Display personalized advertisements
• Prevent repeated display of the same ads

• Google AdSense

3. COOKIES WE USE

3.1 Our Cookies (First-Party)

| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration | |-------------|------|---------|----------| | `session_id` | Essential | Maintains your login session | Session | | `auth_token` | Essential | Authenticates your identity | 30 days | | `user_prefs` | Functional | Stores your preferences | 1 year | | `consent` | Essential | Records your cookie consent choice | 1 year |

3.2 Third-Party Cookies

• Purpose: Authentication and identity verification
• Cookies: Various session and tracking cookies
• Privacy Policy: https://discord.com/privacy

• Purpose: Payment processing and fraud prevention
• Cookies: Various session and security cookies
• Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy

• Purpose: Website analytics and usage tracking
• Cookies: `_ga`, `_gid`, `_gat`
• Duration: 2 years (varies by cookie)
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

• Purpose: Display and measure advertisements
• Cookies: `NID`, `IDE`, and various advertising cookies
• Duration: Up to 2 years (varies by cookie)
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Ad Settings: https://adssettings.google.com

4. OTHER TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies:

4.1 Web Beacons (Pixels)

Small transparent images embedded in web pages or emails to track user behavior and measure performance.

4.2 Local Storage

Browser-based storage that allows us to store larger amounts of data locally on your device for performance and functionality.

4.3 Log Files

Automatically collected information about your visit, including IP address, browser type, pages viewed, and timestamps.

5. MANAGING COOKIES

You have several options to control or limit cookies:

5.1 Browser Settings

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete cookies after each session
• Set exceptions for specific websites

1. Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
2. Choose your preferred cookie settings
Mozilla Firefox:
3. Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
4. Choose your preferred cookie settings
Safari:
5. Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
6. Choose your preferred cookie settings
Microsoft Edge:
7. Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions
8. Choose your preferred cookie settings

5.2 Opt-Out of Analytics

Google Analytics:
• Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

5.3 Opt-Out of Advertising

Google AdSense:
• Adjust your ad settings: https://adssettings.google.com
• Opt-out of personalized advertising
NAI (Network Advertising Initiative):
• Opt-out of member networks: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/
DAA (Digital Advertising Alliance):
• Opt-out of participating companies: http://www.aboutads.info/choices/

5.4 Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers support Do Not Track (DNT) signals. When we detect a DNT signal:

• We will not use analytics or advertising cookies
• Essential and functional cookies may still be used

5.5 Effect of Disabling Cookies

• ✅ You can still browse public content
• ❌ You cannot log in or use account features
• ❌ Preferences will not be saved
• ❌ Some features may not work properly

6. COOKIE CONSENT

When you first visit our Platform, we display a cookie consent banner explaining our use of cookies.

• Accept All: Allow all cookies, including analytics and advertising
• Essential Only: Only allow essential cookies required for the Platform to function
• Customize: Choose which categories of cookies to allow

• Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer
• Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the Platform
• Emailing us at reishi@theeldersporesonline.com

7. COOKIES AND PERSONAL DATA

Some cookies may collect or be linked to personal data.

• Cookie data is subject to our Privacy Policy
• We implement security measures to protect cookie data
• We do not sell cookie data to third parties
• Third-party services have their own privacy practices

8. INTERNATIONAL USERS

8.1 EU Cookie Law (ePrivacy Directive)

If you are in the European Union, we comply with the EU Cookie Law by:

• Obtaining your consent before setting non-essential cookies
• Providing clear information about cookies
• Allowing you to withdraw consent at any time

8.2 GDPR Compliance

For EU users, cookie data that constitutes personal data is processed in accordance with GDPR. You have rights including:

• Right to access your data
• Right to erasure
• Right to object to processing
• Right to data portability

See our Privacy Policy for more information about your GDPR rights.

9. UPDATES TO THIS COOKIE POLICY

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

• Changes in our cookie practices
• New technologies
• Changes in applicable law

• We will post the revised Cookie Policy on this page
• We will update the "Last Updated" date
• Material changes will be communicated via email or Platform notification

10. THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites. This Cookie Policy does not apply to third-party websites. Please review the cookie policies of any external sites you visit.

11. CONTACT US

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:

Email: reishi@theeldersporesonline.com Website: https://theeldersporesonline.com

12. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• All About Cookies: https://www.allaboutcookies.org
• EU Cookie Law: https://ec.europa.eu/ipg/basics/legal/cookies/index_en.htm

• Google Analytics Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Google Ad Settings: https://adssettings.google.com
• NAI Opt-out: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/
• DAA Opt-out: http://www.aboutads.info/choices/