1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide analytics data. Cookies cannot run programs, deliver viruses, or access personal files on your computer. They are simply data storage mechanisms.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
2.1 Essential (Strictly Necessary) Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the Site to function properly and cannot be disabled through our settings. They are used for:
- User authentication and login sessions
- Security and fraud prevention
- Load balancing across our servers
- Basic Site functionality (form submission, navigation)
- Preserving your privacy choices
Examples: Session tokens, CSRF protection, SSL certificate verification.
2.2 Preference (Functionality) Cookies
These cookies remember your settings and preferences to personalise your experience:
- Language and region preferences
- Zoom level and font size settings
- Content preferences and saved filters
- Theme selections (light/dark mode if available)
If you disable these cookies, some Site features may not work as intended.
2.3 Performance (Analytics) Cookies
These cookies help us understand how you use the Site to optimise performance and content:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Clickthrough paths and user behaviour patterns
- Error reporting and performance metrics
- Traffic sources and referral data
These cookies are anonymous and do not personally identify you. We use Google Analytics and similar services to collect this data.
2.4 Marketing (Targeting) Cookies
These cookies track your activity to deliver targeted content, advertisements, and measure campaign effectiveness:
- Advertising preferences and segment data
- Retargeting and remarketing pixels
- Social media integration and tracking
- Campaign performance metrics
These cookies require your explicit consent. We will not use marketing cookies until you accept them through our cookie consent banner.
3. Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, third-party services embedded on our Site may also set cookies:
- Google Analytics: Tracks Site usage and user behaviour
- Payment Processors: Facilitate secure payment transactions
- Hosting and CDN Providers: Optimise content delivery and Site performance
- Social Media Widgets: Enable sharing and embedding of content
- Email Service Providers: Track email campaign engagement (if you subscribe)
These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies, which we encourage you to review.
4. How We Use Cookie Data
We use cookie data for the following purposes:
- Site Functionality: Maintaining security, user sessions, and core features
- User Experience: Remembering your preferences and personalising content
- Analytics: Understanding traffic patterns, user demographics, and content performance
- Marketing: Delivering targeted content and measuring campaign ROI
- Fraud Prevention: Detecting suspicious activity and protecting against attacks
- Service Improvement: Identifying and fixing technical issues
5. Cookie Duration
Cookies have different lifespans:
- Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser (typically a few hours)
- Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for weeks, months, or years depending on the purpose
- First-Party Cookies: Set by ScanScope directly (typically 1-2 years)
- Third-Party Cookies: Vary by provider (typically 6 months to 2 years)
6. Your Cookie Preferences
6.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit the Site, a cookie consent banner appears allowing you to:
- Accept All: Accept all cookie types including marketing cookies
- Accept Essential: Accept only essential cookies required for Site functionality
- Manage Preferences: Customise which cookie categories you accept
Your consent preference is saved in a cookie and respected across all pages of our Site for 12 months.
6.2 Changing Your Preferences
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:
- Clicking the cookie banner icon in the footer (if visible)
- Accessing cookie settings in your account preferences
- Contacting us at [email protected]
6.3 Browser Cookie Controls
You can control cookies through your browser settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data
Note: Disabling all cookies may prevent the Site from functioning properly. We recommend keeping essential cookies enabled.
6.4 Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. Currently, there is no industry standard for recognising DNT signals. We continue to monitor developments in this area.
7. Tracking Technologies Beyond Cookies
In addition to cookies, we may use:
- Web Beacons: Small transparent images embedded in pages to track visitor activity
- Local Storage: Browser-based storage that persists data like cookies but with more capacity
- Pixels: Tracking tags used for analytics and marketing attribution
- Server Logs: IP address, browser type, and access times recorded by our servers
8. Data Retention and Deletion
ScanScope retains cookie and tracking data as follows:
- Essential Cookies: Duration of your session plus 1 year for security auditing
- Analytics Cookies: 12-25 months (standard retention by Google Analytics and similar services)
- Marketing Cookies: 24 months or until you revoke consent, whichever is earlier
- Preference Cookies: Up to 2 years or until you clear your browser cache
You can delete cookies manually through your browser settings at any time. However, you may lose saved preferences and need to re-authenticate.
9. International Considerations
ScanScope is based in Canada and operates under Canadian and international data protection laws. If you are visiting from the European Union, the UK, or another jurisdiction with similar privacy regulations, additional rights apply (see "Your Rights" section in our Privacy Policy).
10. Cookies and Children
Our Site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly use cookies to collect information from children under 13. Parents or guardians concerned about a child's data should contact us immediately.
11. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our cookie practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date on this page and, if necessary, by posting a notice on the Site or sending an email notification.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about our cookie practices or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +1-416-555-0147
- Address: 100 King St W, Toronto, ON M5X 1A9, Canada