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 and to provide information to website owners about user behavior and preferences.
Cookies can be "persistent" (remaining on your device until they expire or are deleted) or "session" cookies (deleted when you close your browser).
2. How We Use Cookies
VisaCore Canada uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to:
- Ensure our website functions properly
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
- Improve user experience and website performance
- Provide personalized content and advertisements
- Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
- Prevent fraud and enhance security
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for our website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They include:
- Session Management: Maintaining your session while navigating the site
- Security: Protecting against security threats and fraud
- Cookie Consent: Remembering your cookie preferences
- Load Balancing: Distributing website traffic efficiently
3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website:
- Google Analytics: Website traffic and user behavior analysis
- Page Performance: Loading times and technical performance
- Error Tracking: Identifying and fixing website issues
- A/B Testing: Testing different versions of web pages
3.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance website functionality and personalization:
- Language Preferences: Remembering your language choice
- Form Data: Saving partially completed forms
- User Preferences: Customized settings and display options
- Chat Support: Live chat functionality
3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies
These cookies are used for marketing purposes:
- Social Media: Social media sharing and integration
- Remarketing: Showing relevant ads on other websites
- Campaign Tracking: Measuring marketing campaign effectiveness
- Third-party Advertising: Personalized advertisements
4. Third-Party Cookies
Our website may contain cookies from third-party services:
4.1 Analytics Services
- Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis
- Hotjar: User behavior tracking and heatmaps
4.2 Social Media Platforms
- Facebook: Social sharing and Facebook Pixel
- LinkedIn: Professional networking integration
- Twitter: Social media sharing
- YouTube: Video embedding and analytics
4.3 Marketing and Advertising
- Google Ads: Advertising campaign management
- Facebook Ads: Social media advertising
- LinkedIn Ads: Professional platform advertising
5. Cookie Consent and Management
5.1 Your Consent
When you first visit our website, we will ask for your consent to use cookies through our cookie banner. You can choose to:
- Accept All: Allow all cookies
- Necessary Only: Allow only essential cookies
- Customize: Choose specific cookie categories
5.2 Changing Your Preferences
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:
- Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer
- Modifying your browser settings
- Using browser extensions for cookie management
- Opting out of specific third-party services
6. Browser Cookie Controls
6.1 Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and Site Permissions
6.2 Mobile Browsers
Mobile browsers also provide cookie control options:
- iOS Safari: Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security
- Android Chrome: Settings > Site Settings > Cookies
7. Opting Out of Third-Party Services
7.1 Google Services
7.2 Social Media Platforms
7.3 Industry Opt-Out Tools
8. Cookie Retention Periods
Different cookies have different retention periods:
Cookie Retention Schedule
- Session Cookies: Deleted when browser is closed
- Essential Cookies: 1 year maximum
- Analytics Cookies: 2 years maximum
- Marketing Cookies: 1-2 years maximum
- Social Media Cookies: Varies by platform (typically 1-2 years)
9. Local Storage and Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use other storage technologies:
- Local Storage: HTML5 local storage for enhanced functionality
- Session Storage: Temporary storage during browser sessions
- Web Beacons: Small tracking pixels in emails and web pages
- Flash Cookies: Adobe Flash-based storage (rarely used)
10. Impact of Disabling Cookies
Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality:
10.1 Essential Cookies
Disabling essential cookies may result in:
- Inability to use certain website features
- Loss of security protections
- Repeated cookie consent requests
- Login and session management issues
10.2 Analytics and Marketing Cookies
Disabling these cookies may result in:
- Less personalized experience
- Less relevant advertisements
- Inability to measure website effectiveness
- Repeated display of dismissed messages
11. Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through cookies or other means. If we become aware of such collection, we will take steps to delete the information promptly.
12. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in:
- Our use of cookies and tracking technologies
- Legal requirements and regulations
- Industry best practices
- Third-party service integrations
We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Last updated" date and may provide additional notice through our website or email.
13. Contact Information
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
14. Related Policies
This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with our: