Cookie Policy

1. What are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website owners in order to make their websites work, or to work more efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information.

Cookies set by the website owner (in this case, EcoVanguard) are called "first-party cookies". Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called "third-party cookies". Third-party cookies enable third-party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website (e.g., advertising, interactive content, and analytics). The parties that set these third-party cookies can recognize your computer both when it visits the website in question and also when it visits certain other websites.

2. Why Do We Use Cookies?

We use first-party and third-party cookies for several reasons. Some cookies are required for technical reasons in order for our Website to operate, and we refer to these as "essential" or "strictly necessary" cookies. Other cookies also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our Website. Third parties serve cookies through our Website for analytics and other purposes.

The specific types of first and third-party cookies served through our Website and the purposes they perform are described below:

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our Website and to use some of its features, such as access to secure areas. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the Website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our Website functions.

• Cookie Name: auth_session
• Purpose: Authentication and security
• Duration: Session

• Cookie Name: csrf_token
• Purpose: Security, prevents cross-site request forgery
• Duration: Session

3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Website. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the Website. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.

• Cookie Name: _ga
• Purpose: Distinguishes unique users for Google Analytics
• Duration: 2 years

• Cookie Name: _gid
• Purpose: Stores and updates a unique value for each page visited for Google Analytics
• Duration: 24 hours

• Cookie Name: _gat
• Purpose: Used to throttle request rate for Google Analytics
• Duration: 1 minute

3.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies enable the Website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all of these services may not function properly.

• Cookie Name: user_preferences
• Purpose: Stores user preferences for website customization
• Duration: 1 year

3.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies

These cookies may be set through our Website by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. They do not directly store personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device.

• Cookie Name: _fbp
• Purpose: Used by Facebook to deliver advertisements
• Duration: 3 months

4. How Can You Control Cookies?

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie preferences by clicking on the appropriate opt-out links provided in the cookie banner or by using our cookie management tool accessible via the Cookie Settings button displayed on our Website.

You can also set or amend your web browser controls to accept or refuse cookies. If you choose to reject cookies, you may still use our Website though your access to some functionality and areas may be restricted. As the means by which you can refuse cookies through your web browser controls vary from browser to browser, you should visit your browser's help menu for more information.

In addition, most advertising networks offer you a way to opt out of targeted advertising. If you would like to find out more information, please visit http://www.aboutads.info/choices/ or http://www.youronlinechoices.com.

5. How Often Will We Update This Cookie Policy?

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please therefore re-visit this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.

The date at the top of this Cookie Policy indicates when it was last updated.

6. Cookies and South African Law

In South Africa, the use of cookies is subject to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which regulates how personal information may be processed. We comply with POPIA requirements regarding the collection and processing of personal information, including information collected through cookies.

Under POPIA, you have the right to be informed about the collection and use of your personal information, including through cookies, and to have control over such information. This Cookie Policy, along with our Privacy Policy, aims to fulfill our obligations under POPIA by providing you with transparent information about our use of cookies and similar technologies.

7. Where Can You Get More Information?

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please contact us at:

EcoVanguard
59 Victoria St
George Central
George, 6530
South Africa

Phone: +27 44 873 4530
Email: [email protected]