Cookie Policy
Last updated: April 20, 2026
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to website owners.
Cookies typically contain:
- The name of the website that set the cookie
- A unique identifier (a string of letters and numbers)
- An expiration date (how long the cookie will remain on your device)
- Information the website wants to remember about you (e.g., language preference, login status)
2. Types of Cookies We Use
Matcha Alert Club uses different categories of cookies for various purposes. Under GDPR and ePrivacy law, we are required to obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies. Essential cookies do not require consent as they are necessary for the Service to function.
2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are essential for the Service to function properly and cannot be disabled in our systems. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as logging in, filling out forms, or setting privacy preferences. You can set your browser to block these cookies, but some parts of the Service may not work.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
mac_auth_token | Session authentication - keeps you logged in | 7 days (persistent) or session | First-party |
mac_refresh_token | Allows re-authentication without re-entering password | 30 days | First-party |
mac_cookie_consent | Remembers your cookie consent preferences | 1 year | First-party |
XSRF-TOKEN | Security measure to prevent cross-site request forgery attacks | Session | First-party |
2.2 Functional Cookies (Requires Consent)
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we use on our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
mac_theme | Remembers your dark/light mode preference | 1 year | First-party |
mac_lang | Stores your language preference | 1 year | First-party |
mac_alerts_view | Remembers your alert display preferences (list vs. grid view) | 30 days | First-party |
2.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies (Requires Consent)
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Service by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the Service and fix technical issues.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number | 2 years |
_ga_* | Google Analytics | Collects data on page visits and session duration | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics | Stores and counts page views | 24 hours |
_gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate to limit data collection on high-traffic sites | 1 minute |
IP Anonymization: We have enabled IP anonymization in Google Analytics, which means your full IP address is never stored or processed by Google.
2.4 Advertising and Targeting Cookies (Requires Consent)
These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_gcl_au | Google Ads | Stores and tracks conversions (e.g., registrations, alert creations) | 90 days |
_gcl_aw | Google Ads | Tracks ad clicks and conversions | 90 days |
test_cookie | Google Ads | Tests whether the browser supports cookies | 15 minutes |
3. How to Manage and Delete Cookies
You have several options to control or delete cookies:
3.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit the Service, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can:
- Accept All: Consent to all cookie categories
- Reject All: Only essential cookies will be set
- Customize: Choose which categories of cookies to allow (functional, analytics, advertising)
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in the footer or by visiting this page again and clearing your mac_cookie_consent cookie.
3.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:
- Chrome: Manage cookies in Chrome
- Firefox: Manage cookies in Firefox
- Safari: Manage cookies in Safari
- Edge: Manage cookies in Edge
Note: If you disable all cookies, some features of the Service may not work properly, and you may need to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit.
3.3 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics Opt-Out: Download the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on
- Google Ads Settings: Manage your Google Ads preferences
- Digital Advertising Alliance: Opt out of interest-based advertising
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on the Service are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control the use of these cookies and cannot access them. These third-party services have their own privacy policies:
- Google Analytics: Google Privacy Policy | How Google uses data
- Google Ads: How Google uses cookies in advertising
- Stripe (if payments enabled): Stripe Privacy Policy
5. Session Storage and Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we use Session Storage and Local Storage, which are similar technologies that store data locally in your browser:
- Session Storage: Temporary data that is cleared when you close your browser tab (e.g., form data to prevent loss if the page refreshes)
- Local Storage: Persistent data that remains until you manually clear it (e.g., user preferences like theme, alert filters, or cached product data)
You can clear Session Storage and Local Storage through your browser's developer tools or by clearing your browsing data.
6. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal that requests websites not to track your browsing activity. Currently, there is no universally accepted standard for how to respond to DNT signals.
Our Service does not respond to DNT signals at this time. However, you can control cookies through our consent banner and your browser settings.
7. Cookies and Mobile Devices
If you access the Service via a mobile device, cookies work the same way as on desktop browsers. You can manage cookies in your mobile browser settings:
- iOS Safari: Settings > Safari > Block All Cookies
- Android Chrome: Chrome menu > Settings > Site settings > Cookies
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. If we make material changes, we will notify you by:
- Posting the updated Policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
- Displaying a notice on the Service
We recommend checking this page periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.
9. Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please contact us:
- Email: legal@matchaalertclub.com
- Privacy Policy: View our Privacy Policy