Cookie Policy

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, understand how you use the site, and improve your experience. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, and browser fingerprinting.

2. How we use cookies

FavPik uses the following types of cookies and similar technologies:

2.1 Essential cookies (strictly necessary)

These cookies are required for the Platform to function and cannot be disabled. They include: session cookies (favpik_session) to maintain your login state, CSRF protection tokens to prevent cross-site request forgery, and load balancing cookies for optimal server performance. Duration: session cookies expire after 30 days of inactivity. Legal basis: legitimate interest (essential for service delivery).

2.2 Functional cookies

These cookies remember your preferences and choices to provide a personalised experience. They include: voting state (stored in localStorage) to remember which polls you have voted on and prevent duplicate voting, and theme or display preferences. Duration: persistent until cleared. Legal basis: legitimate interest.

2.3 Analytics and performance cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use the Platform, which pages are most popular, and where errors occur. We use aggregated and anonymised data from these cookies. We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any third-party tracking cookies that follow you across the web. Legal basis: legitimate interest.

2.4 Security cookies

Google reCAPTCHA v3 uses cookies and collects data to distinguish human users from bots. This is essential for preventing spam and fraudulent voting. reCAPTCHA is subject to Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Legal basis: legitimate interest (security).

3. Browser fingerprinting

We use the open-source FingerprintJS library to generate a browser fingerprint hash. This is used solely to prevent duplicate voting on polls. The fingerprint is a one-way hash — it cannot be reversed to identify you personally. It is based on publicly available browser characteristics such as screen resolution, installed fonts, and browser plugins. We do not share fingerprint data with third parties.

4. Third-party cookies

We minimise the use of third-party cookies. The only third-party that may set cookies on the Platform is Google (through reCAPTCHA v3). We do not use social media tracking pixels, advertising cookies, or retargeting cookies. We do not sell cookie data or allow third parties to use our Platform for tracking purposes.

5. Managing cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to: view what cookies are stored, delete individual or all cookies, block cookies from specific or all sites, and set preferences for first-party vs. third-party cookies.

Please note that disabling essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of the Platform, such as logging in or creating polls. Clearing localStorage will reset your voting history, which means the Platform may not remember which polls you have already voted on.

6. Cookie retention

Session cookie (favpik_session): 30 days. Voting records in localStorage: persistent until manually cleared. reCAPTCHA cookies: as per Google's policies (typically session-based).

7. Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance.