Cookies Policy

Understanding How We Use Cookies and Similar Technologies

Last updated: January 25, 2026

This Cookies Policy explains what cookies are, how LearnConnect ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and mobile application, and the choices you have regarding these technologies. By using LearnConnect, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.

This Cookies Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which provides additional information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.

1. What Are Cookies?

1.1 Definition: Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other 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 about how their site is being used.

1.2 How Cookies Work: When you visit LearnConnect, our server sends a cookie to your device. Your browser stores the cookie in a file located in your web browser directory. The cookie allows us to recognize your device when you return to our site. Cookies typically contain information such as a unique identifier, site name, some digits and numbers, and may contain information about your preferences or actions on the site.

1.3 Cookie Lifespan: Cookies can be either "session cookies" or "persistent cookies":

  • Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser or leave the website. They are used to maintain your session and remember information as you navigate between pages.
  • Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until you manually delete them. They are used to remember your preferences and provide a more personalized experience on return visits.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

LearnConnect uses several different types of cookies for various purposes. Here's a detailed breakdown:

2.1 Essential/Strictly Necessary Cookies

Purpose: These cookies are absolutely necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as logging in, filling out forms, or setting your privacy preferences.

What They Do:

  • Enable core functionality such as user authentication and account management
  • Remember your login session so you don't have to log in on every page
  • Maintain your shopping cart in our marketplace
  • Ensure secure navigation and prevent security risks
  • Remember form data as you navigate between pages
  • Balance load across our servers to ensure site stability

Duration: Session-based (deleted when you close your browser)

2.2 Functional Cookies

Purpose: 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.

What They Do:

  • Remember your preferences such as language, region, or theme (dark/light mode)
  • Store your academic information (year, branch, semester) for personalized content
  • Remember items you've viewed in the marketplace
  • Provide social media features and enable content sharing
  • Customize the user interface based on your preferences
  • Remember your competition participation history

Duration: Persistent (typically 30 days to 1 year)

2.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies

Purpose: These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve our service and user experience.

What They Do:

  • Count visits and traffic sources to measure and improve site performance
  • Understand which pages are most and least popular
  • Track how users navigate through our site
  • Identify technical issues or errors users encounter
  • Measure the effectiveness of our study materials and features
  • Help us understand marketplace usage patterns
  • Monitor competition engagement and participation rates

Technologies Used: Google Analytics, custom analytics

Duration: Persistent (typically 6 months to 2 years)

2.4 Advertising and Marketing Cookies (If Applicable)

Purpose: These cookies may be used to deliver advertisements more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

What They Do:

  • Remember websites you have visited and share this information with advertisers
  • Provide more relevant ads based on your interests
  • Prevent the same ad from being shown too many times
  • Measure advertising campaign effectiveness

Note: LearnConnect is primarily an educational platform with minimal advertising. If we implement advertising in the future, we will provide prominent notice and update this policy accordingly.

3. Third-Party Cookies

3.1 What Are Third-Party Cookies? In addition to our own cookies, we may use various third-party cookies to provide enhanced functionality, analytics, and services on our website. These cookies are set by domains other than LearnConnect.

3.2 Third-Party Services We Use:

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our website. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information about your use of our site, which is then used to compile reports and help us improve our services.

Learn more: Google Privacy Policy

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Supabase (Backend Services)

Our platform uses Supabase for backend services, authentication, and database management. Supabase may use cookies for session management and security purposes.

Learn more: Supabase Privacy Policy

Social Media Integration

If you interact with social media features on our site (such as sharing content), those social media companies may set cookies on your device. We do not control these cookies.

Review the privacy policies of these services: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

3.3 No Control Over Third-Party Cookies: We do not have access to or control over cookies used by third parties. These cookies are subject to the respective privacy policies of the external services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services.

4. How to Manage and Control Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie preferences in several ways:

4.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

  • Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
  • Mozilla Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
  • Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions

⚠️ Warning: Blocking all cookies may prevent you from using certain features of our website, including logging in, accessing study materials, and using our marketplace.

4.2 Cookie Preference Center

When you first visit LearnConnect, you may see a cookie consent banner allowing you to choose which types of cookies to accept. You can update your preferences at any time through our Cookie Settings (usually found in the website footer or privacy settings).

4.3 Mobile Device Settings

If you access LearnConnect through a mobile device, you can manage cookies and tracking through your device settings:

  • iOS: Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
  • Android: Settings → Privacy → Advanced → Site Settings

4.4 Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals. LearnConnect does not currently respond to DNT signals, but we respect your privacy choices and provide other ways to control tracking as described in this policy.

5. Impact of Disabling Cookies

5.1 Functional Limitations: If you choose to disable cookies, some features of LearnConnect may not function properly. Specifically, you may experience:

  • Difficulty or inability to log into your account
  • Loss of personalized settings and preferences
  • Inability to participate in certain features like saving favorite study materials
  • Problems with marketplace functionality
  • Need to re-enter information on every page visit
  • Less relevant content recommendations

5.2 Essential Cookies: Please note that certain cookies are essential for the basic functioning of our website. Disabling these cookies may make it impossible to use key features of LearnConnect, including user authentication and secure transactions in our marketplace.

5.3 Recommendation: We recommend allowing at least essential and functional cookies to ensure the best experience on LearnConnect while respecting your privacy preferences for analytics and marketing cookies.

6. Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other similar technologies to enhance your experience:

6.1 Local Storage: HTML5 local storage is used to store data locally in your browser, similar to cookies but with larger storage capacity. We may use local storage to cache study materials for offline access and store user preferences.

6.2 Session Storage: Temporary storage that is cleared when you close your browser tab. Used for maintaining state during your browsing session.

6.3 Web Beacons and Pixels: Small graphic images (also known as "pixel tags" or "clear GIFs") that may be included in our web pages and emails. These help us understand user behavior, such as whether an email was opened or how users interact with specific content.

6.4 Device Fingerprinting: We may collect information about your device (browser type, operating system, screen resolution, etc.) to help prevent fraud and enhance security, particularly in our marketplace and competition features.

7. Updates to This Cookies Policy

7.1 Policy Changes: We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.

7.2 Notification of Changes: For significant changes to how we use cookies, we will provide prominent notice on our website or send you an email notification if you have an account with us. We encourage you to review this Cookies Policy periodically.

7.3 Continued Use: Your continued use of LearnConnect after any changes to this Cookies Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. If you do not agree with any changes, you should adjust your cookie settings or discontinue using our services.

8. Your Privacy Rights

8.1 Right to Information: You have the right to know what cookies are being used and why. This Cookies Policy aims to provide you with that information transparently.

8.2 Right to Control: You have the right to control which cookies are placed on your device and can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie settings or browser preferences.

8.3 Right to Access: You can request information about the data collected through cookies by contacting us at the email addresses provided below.

8.4 Data Subject Rights: For information about other privacy rights, including data access, correction, and deletion, please review our Privacy Policy.

Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding our use of cookies or this Cookies Policy, please contact us:

Privacy Team: privacy@learnconnect.com

General Support: support@learnconnect.com

We will respond to your cookie-related inquiries within 48 hours.

Summary and Consent

By clicking "Accept" on our cookie banner or by continuing to use LearnConnect after being presented with cookie information, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. You can change your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings or our Cookie Preference Center.

We are committed to transparency and respect for your privacy. This Cookies Policy, together with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions, forms the complete framework of how we handle your data and ensure your privacy on LearnConnect.