Cookie Policy
Effective Date: December 1, 2024
Last Updated: December 1, 2024
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) 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.
PairUp uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, understand how you use our platform, and serve relevant advertisements. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)
These cookies are essential for the operation of PairUp and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality such as:
- Authentication: Keep you logged in to your account securely (Firebase Authentication)
- Security: Protect against fraudulent activity and ensure secure connections
- Session Management: Remember your preferences and settings during your visit
- Load Balancing: Distribute traffic across our servers for optimal performance
Legal Basis: These cookies are necessary to provide the service you've requested and do not require consent under Nigerian law.
2.2 Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics)
We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with PairUp and improve our services. These cookies collect:
- Pages visited and features used
- Time spent on each page
- Browser type and device information
- Geographic location (city/region level)
- Referring websites and search terms
- User flow through the website
Cookies Used:
_ga- Distinguishes unique users (expires after 2 years)_gid- Distinguishes unique users (expires after 24 hours)_gat- Throttles request rate (expires after 1 minute)
Purpose: Helps us understand user behavior to improve features, fix bugs, and enhance user experience.
2.3 Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)
PairUp displays advertisements through Google AdSense to support our free platform. These cookies:
- Show you relevant ads based on your interests and browsing behavior
- Measure ad effectiveness and performance
- Limit the number of times you see the same ad
- Track whether you clicked on an ad
- Prevent fraudulent ad clicks
Cookies Used:
__gads- Registers ad engagement (expires after 13 months)__gac- Contains campaign-related information (expires after 90 days)IDE- Used for ad targeting (expires after 13 months)DSID- Links user activity across devices (expires after 2 weeks)
Third-Party Access: Google and its advertising partners may access and use this information. For more details, see Google's Privacy Policy and Advertising Policies.
2.4 Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your preferences and choices to provide a personalized experience:
- Language preferences
- Display settings and theme choices
- Search filters and sorting preferences
- Saved searches and favorite profiles
- Notification preferences
3. Third-Party Cookies
When you use PairUp, you may receive cookies from third-party services we integrate with:
Google Services
- Firebase (Google Cloud): Authentication and data storage
Privacy Policy: firebase.google.com/support/privacy - Google Analytics: Website usage analytics
Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy - Google AdSense: Advertisement display and targeting
Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/technologies/ads
Important: PairUp does not control these third-party cookies. Please review the privacy policies of these services to understand how they collect and use your information.
4. How to Manage Cookies
4.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- View and delete existing cookies
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Clear cookies when you close your browser
- Receive notifications when cookies are set
How to Manage Cookies in Popular Browsers:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
- Opera: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies
4.2 Opt Out of Personalized Advertising
To opt out of personalized advertising from Google AdSense:
- Visit Google Ads Settings and turn off "Ads Personalization"
- Use the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) opt-out tool
- Visit Your Online Choices (for EU/UK users)
Note: Opting out of personalized ads does not mean you'll see fewer ads. You'll still see advertisements, but they may be less relevant to your interests.
4.3 Opt Out of Google Analytics
You can prevent Google Analytics from tracking your activity by:
- Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Blocking third-party cookies in your browser settings
- Using browser extensions that block analytics trackers
⚠️ Warning: If you disable or block essential cookies, some features of PairUp may not function properly. You may experience issues with login, saving preferences, or accessing certain features.
5. Mobile Devices
On mobile devices, you can manage cookies and tracking through your device settings:
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies
- Settings → Privacy → Tracking → Ask App Not to Track
- Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
Android
- Chrome: Settings → Site settings → Cookies
- Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
- Settings → Privacy → Advanced → Site settings
6. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals websites you visit that you do not want to be tracked. Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.
PairUp does not currently respond to DNT signals. However, you can use the methods described above to opt out of tracking and personalized advertising.
7. Cookie Retention Periods
Different cookies have different retention periods:
| Cookie Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Session Cookies | Deleted when you close your browser |
| Authentication Cookies | Up to 30 days or until logout |
| Google Analytics (_ga) | 2 years |
| Google Analytics (_gid) | 24 hours |
| AdSense Cookies | Up to 13 months |
| Preference Cookies | Up to 1 year |
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes:
- The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy will be revised
- We will notify you via email or in-app notification for significant changes
- Your continued use of PairUp after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
9. Your Rights
Under Nigerian data protection laws, you have the right to:
- Know what cookies are being set on your device
- Choose whether to accept cookies (except essential cookies)
- Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time
- Request information about the data collected through cookies
- Request deletion of data collected through cookies
For more information about your data rights, please see our Privacy Policy.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
By using PairUp, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy and consent to the use of cookies as described (except where your consent is specifically required).