🍪Cookie Policy
How we use cookies and similar technologies
🎯 Quick Summary - Our Cookie Usage
We use very few cookies
No advertising or tracking cookies
Mostly for login and security
Manage preferences anytime
Respects EU privacy laws
Never sold to third parties
🍪1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit websites. They help websites remember information about your visit, making your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.
How Cookies Work
- You visit Chat 13
- Our website sends a cookie to your browser
- Your browser stores the cookie on your device
- When you return, your browser sends the cookie back to our server
- We recognize you and can provide a personalized experience
Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies:
- Local Storage: HTML5 storage for larger data amounts
- Session Storage: Temporary storage cleared when you close your browser
- Web Beacons: Small graphics that track page views (we use very limited)
🎯2. Why We Use Cookies
At Chat 13, we believe in minimal data collection. We only use cookies that are essential for the Service to function or that enhance your experience with your consent.
Security
Keep your account secure and prevent fraud
Authentication
Remember that you're logged in
Preferences
Remember your settings and language
Performance
Understand how our service is used (anonymous)
✅ What We DON'T Use Cookies For
- ❌ Targeted advertising
- ❌ Tracking you across other websites
- ❌ Selling your data to third parties
- ❌ Behavioral profiling for marketing
- ❌ Social media tracking
📋3. Types of Cookies We Use
We categorize cookies based on their purpose and duration:
By Duration
⏱️ Session Cookies
Duration: Deleted when you close your browser
Purpose: Essential for using Chat 13 (login, security)
Can be disabled? No - required for the service to function
📅 Persistent Cookies
Duration: Remain on your device for a set period (up to 1 year)
Purpose: Remember your preferences, keep you logged in
Can be disabled? Yes - but you'll need to re-enter preferences each visit
By Purpose
✅ Essential Cookies REQUIRED
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| chat13_session | Maintains your login session | Session |
| chat13_auth | Authentication token | 30 days |
| chat13_security | Security and fraud prevention | Session |
| chat13_csrf | Cross-Site Request Forgery protection | Session |
⚙️ Functional Cookies OPTIONAL
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| chat13_lang | Remembers your language preference | 1 year |
| chat13_theme | Remembers dark/light mode preference | 1 year |
| chat13_prefs | Stores your notification and privacy settings | 1 year |
📊 Analytics Cookies OPTIONAL
These help us understand how users interact with Chat 13. All data is anonymous and aggregated.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| chat13_analytics | Anonymous usage statistics (self-hosted) | 1 year |
| chat13_pageview | Counts page views anonymously | Session |
Important: We use privacy-friendly analytics (self-hosted or privacy-focused services like Plausible/Matomo). Your IP address is anonymized, and data is not shared with third parties.
🚫 Cookies We DON'T Use
- Advertising Cookies: We never use cookies for targeted advertising
- Third-Party Tracking: No Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or similar trackers
- Social Media Cookies: No cookies from social networks
- Cross-Site Tracking: We don't track you across other websites
🔗4. Third-Party Cookies
✅ Good News!
Chat 13 does NOT use third-party advertising or tracking cookies.
We do not allow advertisers, analytics companies, or social networks to set cookies on your device through our Service.
Limited Third-Party Services
We may use very limited third-party services that set cookies only for essential functionality:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| CDN (Content Delivery Network) | Faster loading times | Technical only, no tracking |
| Payment Processor | Process payments (if applicable) | Only during checkout |
These third parties are contractually obligated to:
- Use cookies only for the specified purpose
- Not share data with other parties
- Delete data after the purpose is fulfilled
- Comply with GDPR and other privacy regulations
🎛️5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have full control over which cookies you accept. Here's how to manage your preferences:
Option 1: Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit Chat 13, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can:
- Accept all cookies
- Accept only essential cookies
- Customize your preferences
You can change your preferences anytime by clicking "Cookie Settings" in the footer.
Option 2: Account Settings
If you have a Chat 13 account, you can manage cookies in:
Settings → Privacy → Cookie Preferences
Option 3: Browser Settings
All modern browsers allow you to control cookies:
Google Chrome
Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies
Firefox
Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies
Safari
Preferences → Privacy → Cookies
Edge
Settings → Privacy → Cookies
Browser-Specific Instructions
| Browser | How to Block Cookies |
|---|---|
| Chrome | Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → Block third-party cookies |
| Firefox | Options → Privacy & Security → Enhanced Tracking Protection → Strict |
| Safari | Preferences → Privacy → Block all cookies (or "Prevent cross-site tracking") |
| Edge | Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Tracking prevention → Strict |
⚠️ Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you disable essential cookies:
- You won't be able to log in to Chat 13
- Security features may not function properly
- Some features of the Service may not work
If you disable functional/analytics cookies:
- Your preferences won't be saved
- You'll need to set language/theme each visit
- We won't be able to improve the Service based on usage data
🚫6. Do Not Track (DNT)
✅ We Respect "Do Not Track"
Chat 13 honors Do Not Track (DNT) signals from your browser.
If you have DNT enabled, we will:
- Not set analytics cookies
- Not collect usage statistics
- Only use essential cookies for login and security
How to Enable Do Not Track
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Send a "Do Not Track" request
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Tell websites not to sell or share my data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Prevent cross-site tracking
- Edge: Settings → Privacy → Send "Do Not Track" requests
🇪🇺7. GDPR & Privacy Compliance
Chat 13 is fully compliant with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive.
Your GDPR Rights Regarding Cookies
Right to Information
Know what cookies we use and why
Right to Consent
Give or withdraw consent at any time
Right to Access
Request data stored in cookies
Right to Deletion
Request deletion of cookie data
Consent Management
Under GDPR, we must obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies.
We do this through:
- Clear cookie consent banner on first visit
- Granular cookie categories you can accept/reject
- Easy way to withdraw consent anytime
- Record of your consent choices
Legal Basis for Cookie Use
| Cookie Type | Legal Basis |
|---|---|
| Essential Cookies | Legitimate Interest (service functionality) |
| Functional Cookies | Consent |
| Analytics Cookies | Consent |
📱8. Mobile Apps & Similar Technologies
While mobile apps don't use "cookies" in the traditional sense, they use similar technologies:
Mobile Identifiers
- Device IDs: Unique identifier for your device (can be reset)
- App Storage: Local storage within the app
- Push Tokens: For sending notifications (with your permission)
Privacy in Mobile Apps
Our mobile apps (when available) will:
- Request permission before accessing device features
- Store data locally on your device (encrypted)
- Not share data with third-party analytics or advertisers
- Allow you to control what data is collected
How to Control Mobile Tracking
iOS: Settings → Privacy → Tracking → Disable "Allow Apps to Request to Track"
Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads → Delete advertising ID
🔄9. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices.
How We Notify You
When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Display a notice on our website
- Send an email to registered users (for major changes)
- Request your consent again if required by law
We recommend checking this page periodically to stay informed about our cookie practices.
📧10. Questions About Cookies?
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Privacy Team
Email: privacy@chat13.online
Response: Within 48 hours
Data Protection Officer
Email: dpo@chat13.online
For: GDPR-related cookie questions
📍 Mailing Address
Chat 13 - Privacy Department
[Your Company Legal Address]
[City, State/Country, ZIP]
Need More Information?
Check out our comprehensive privacy documentation
Privacy Policy Terms of Service📝Summary
✅ Key Takeaways
- Minimal Usage: We use very few cookies, only what's necessary
- No Tracking: We don't use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies
- Your Control: You can manage cookie preferences anytime
- GDPR Compliant: We respect your privacy rights under EU law
- Transparent: We clearly explain what each cookie does
- DNT Honored: We respect Do Not Track signals
At Chat 13, your privacy comes first. We use cookies responsibly and transparently.
Chat 13 - Private & Secure Global Messaging
© 2024 Chat 13. All rights reserved.
Version 1.0 | Effective December 21, 2024