Cookie policy

1. What Are Cookies?

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

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the CiteWorth platform, improve your experience, and understand how our Service is used.

2. How We Use Cookies

CiteWorth uses cookies for the following purposes:

2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the Service to function properly. They enable core functionality such as:

• Authentication and session management
• Security and fraud prevention
• Remembering your login status
• Maintaining secure sessions

Legal Basis: These cookies are necessary for the performance of our contract with you and do not require consent under UK law.

2.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation:

• Remembering your preferences (theme, language)
• Storing your dashboard layout preferences
• Remembering which sites you've selected

You can disable these cookies through your browser settings, but some features may not work properly.

2.3 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Service:

• Usage patterns and feature adoption
• Error tracking and debugging
• Performance monitoring
• Service improvement insights

We collect this data in aggregate form and do not use it to identify individual users.

3. Third-Party Cookies

Some features of our Service use cookies set by third parties:

3.1 Stripe (Payment Processing)

When you make a payment or manage your subscription, Stripe sets cookies to:

• Process secure payments
• Detect and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal requirements

For more information, see Stripe's Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

4. Local Storage and Session Storage

In addition to cookies, we use browser local storage and session storage to:

• Store your theme preference (light/dark mode)
• Cache data for faster page loading
• Temporarily store form data to prevent data loss
• Remember your UI preferences (e.g., dashboard layouts)

Unlike cookies, this data is stored only on your device and is not transmitted to our servers unless you take an action that requires it (such as saving your preferences).

5. How to Manage Cookies

5.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
• Block third-party cookies
• Block all cookies from specific sites
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser
• Delete all cookies currently stored

For guidance on managing cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari
• Microsoft Edge

5.2 Impact of Disabling Cookies

Please note that if you disable strictly necessary cookies, you will not be able to use the CiteWorth Service as authentication and session management require these cookies. Disabling functional or analytics cookies may impact your experience but will not prevent you from using the core Service.

6. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers incorporate a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our Service does not currently respond to DNT signals because there is no industry-wide standard for how to interpret them. We collect minimal analytics data and do not use third-party advertising cookies.

7. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our business practices. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

8. Contact Us

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