Cookie Policy
Last Updated: November 30, 2025
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, enable functionality, and provide analytics data to improve services.
This Cookie Policy explains how Dudes That Code uses cookies and similar technologies (collectively referred to as "cookies") on our platform.
2. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Authenticate users and maintain secure sessions
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Provide core platform functionality
- Analyze how users interact with our services
- Improve platform performance and user experience
- Detect and prevent fraud and security threats
- Deliver relevant content and features
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Essential Cookies (Required)
These cookies are necessary for the platform to function and cannot be disabled without severely impacting your experience:
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Auth Token | Authentication and session management | 1 hour (auto-renewed) |
| Session ID | Maintain user session across pages | Session (until browser closed) |
| CSRF Token | Security - prevent cross-site request forgery | Session |
| Load Balancer | Route requests to appropriate servers | Session |
3.2 Preference Cookies (Functional)
These cookies remember your choices and preferences to enhance your experience:
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| theme | Remember dark/light mode preference | 1 year |
| sidebar_collapsed | Remember sidebar expanded/collapsed state | Persistent |
| language | Language preference | 1 year |
| notification_prefs | Notification display preferences | 6 months |
3.3 Analytics Cookies (Performance)
These cookies help us understand how users interact with our platform:
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics - distinguish users | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics - distinguish users | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics - throttle request rate | 1 minute |
| Firebase Analytics | Track app usage, errors, and performance | 2 years |
| Firebase Performance | Monitor page load times and API latency | Session |
Analytics cookies collect anonymized data. No personally identifiable information is shared with analytics providers without your consent.
3.4 Third-Party Cookies
Third-party services we use may set their own cookies:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Payment processing and fraud detection | stripe.com/privacy |
| Google Firebase | Authentication, database, analytics, messaging | firebase.google.com/support/privacy |
| Google Analytics | Website analytics and usage tracking | policies.google.com/privacy |
4. Cookie Duration
4.1 Session Cookies
Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. Used for session management and security.
4.2 Persistent Cookies
Cookies that remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted. Used for preferences and analytics.
4.3 Cookie Expiration
- Session cookies: Expire when browser closes
- Authentication cookies: 1 hour (auto-renewed while active)
- Preference cookies: 6 months to 1 year
- Analytics cookies: Up to 2 years
5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
5.1 Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings:
- Block all cookies: Prevent all websites from setting cookies
- Block third-party cookies: Allow only cookies from visited sites
- Clear cookies: Delete all or selected cookies
- Accept on a case-by-case basis: Choose which cookies to accept
5.2 Browser-Specific Instructions
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
For detailed instructions, visit your browser's help documentation.
5.3 Platform-Specific Controls
Within your account settings, you can control:
- Preference cookies (theme, sidebar, notifications)
- Analytics and performance tracking
- Third-party integration preferences
5.4 Opt-Out of Analytics
- Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Firebase Analytics: Disable in your account privacy settings
6. Impact of Disabling Cookies
6.1 Essential Cookies
Disabling essential cookies will prevent you from:
- Logging into your account
- Maintaining an authenticated session
- Accessing secure areas of the platform
- Using core functionality
6.2 Preference Cookies
Disabling preference cookies means:
- Theme reverts to default each visit
- Sidebar settings not saved
- Language resets to default
- Need to reconfigure preferences each session
6.3 Analytics Cookies
Disabling analytics cookies:
- Does not affect platform functionality
- Prevents us from understanding usage patterns
- May result in less optimized user experience over time
7. Local Storage and Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we use:
7.1 Local Storage
HTML5 local storage stores data in your browser without expiration. We use it for:
- Caching application data for faster performance
- Storing draft content (unsent messages, forms)
- Maintaining UI state across sessions
7.2 Session Storage
Temporary storage cleared when the browser tab is closed. Used for:
- Single-session data (form progress, temporary filters)
- Navigation state within a session
7.3 IndexedDB
Browser database for larger data storage. Used by Firebase for:
- Offline data synchronization
- Cached queries and results
- Service worker functionality
7.4 Managing Local Storage
You can clear local storage through your browser's developer tools or by clearing browsing data. This may log you out and reset preferences.
8. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you don't want to be tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals. Our platform does not currently respond to DNT browser signals.
However, you can control tracking through the methods described in this policy (browser settings, opt-out tools, account preferences).
9. Cookie Security and Privacy
9.1 Security Measures
- HttpOnly flag: Prevents client-side scripts from accessing sensitive cookies
- Secure flag: Cookies only transmitted over HTTPS
- SameSite attribute: Protects against cross-site request forgery
- Encryption: Sensitive data in cookies is encrypted
9.2 Privacy Protection
- We do not store sensitive information (passwords, payment details) in cookies
- Authentication tokens expire and must be renewed
- Analytics data is anonymized and aggregated
- We do not sell or share cookie data with third parties for marketing
10. Legal Compliance
10.1 GDPR (European Users)
For users in the EU/EEA:
- We obtain consent before setting non-essential cookies
- You can withdraw consent at any time
- Cookie consent is granular (accept all, reject all, customize)
- Essential cookies are used based on legitimate interest
10.2 CCPA (California Residents)
California residents can request information about cookies and tracking technologies, and opt out of certain tracking. We do not sell personal information collected through cookies.
10.3 ePrivacy Directive
We comply with the EU ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law) by:
- Providing clear information about cookies
- Obtaining consent before setting non-essential cookies
- Offering easy opt-out mechanisms
- Maintaining records of consent
11. Children's Privacy
Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect or store cookies from children. If you believe a child has accessed our services, please contact us at admin@dudesthatcode.com.
12. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices. Changes will be communicated by:
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Displaying a notice on the platform
- Sending email notification for significant changes
Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy:
Dudes That Code
Administrative Inquiries: admin@dudesthatcode.com
General Support: support@dudesthatcode.com
14. Additional Resources
- Privacy Policy - How we handle your personal information
- Terms of Service - Platform usage terms and conditions
- AllAboutCookies.org - Independent information about cookies
- Your Online Choices - EU cookie preference management