Cookie Policy

Last updated: 2025-05-30

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences and actions, which can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels, and local storage, which serve similar purposes to cookies.

How BiteToBalance Uses Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:

  • Essential Site Functionality: To ensure our website works properly and securely
  • User Experience: To remember your preferences and settings
  • Analytics and Performance: To understand how visitors use our site and improve our services
  • Quiz Functionality: To temporarily store your quiz responses during completion

Important: We deploy cookies and tracking technologies through Google Tag Manager (GTM), which allows us to manage various tracking tools, including Google Analytics, efficiently and securely.

Types of Cookies We Use

Session vs. Persistent Cookies:

  • Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
  • Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them

First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies:

  • First-Party Cookies: Set directly by BiteToBalance for our website functionality
  • Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use, such as Google Analytics through Google Tag Manager

Detailed Cookie Information

CategoryCookie/ServiceProviderPurposeDuration
Strictly NecessaryCookie ConsentBiteToBalanceRemember your cookie preferences1 year
Strictly NecessarySession StorageBiteToBalanceStore quiz responses temporarily during completionSession
Performance/Analytics_gaGoogle LLCDistinguish unique users for analytics2 years
Performance/Analytics_gidGoogle LLCDistinguish users for analytics (short-term)1 day
Performance/Analytics_gatGoogle LLCThrottle request rate to Google Analytics1 minute
FunctionalUser PreferencesBiteToBalanceRemember language, theme, and accessibility settings6 months

Note: Future marketing cookies may be added if we implement retargeting or advertising features. Users will be notified and consent will be obtained before deployment.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

Cookie Consent Banner:

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

  • Accept all cookies
  • Reject non-essential cookies
  • Customize your preferences by cookie category
  • Learn more about each type of cookie we use

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer or by clearing your browser's cookies and revisiting our site.

Browser Settings:

You can also control cookies through your browser settings:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
  • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality, including the ability to complete our symptom checker quiz.

Third-Party Opt-Out Tools:

For analytics and tracking services, you can use these opt-out tools:

Third-Party Cookies and Services

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that we use to enhance your experience:

  • Google Analytics: Provides website usage statistics and helps us understand how visitors interact with our site. View Google's Privacy Policy.
  • Google Tag Manager: Manages the deployment of tracking codes and analytics tools. This service itself doesn't collect personal data but facilitates other tools that may.

These third-party services have their own privacy policies and cookie practices, which we encourage you to review.

Cookie Categories Explained

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Essential for the website to function properly. These cannot be disabled without breaking core functionality. They don't collect personal information and are exempt from consent requirements.

Performance/Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors use our website by collecting anonymous information about pages visited, time spent, and user interactions. This data helps us improve our services.

Functional Cookies

Remember your preferences and settings to provide a more personalized experience, such as language preferences or accessibility settings.

Marketing Cookies (Future)

When implemented, these would track your activity across websites to show relevant advertisements. We will obtain explicit consent before using marketing cookies.

Impact of Rejecting Cookies

If you choose to reject non-essential cookies:

  • Website functionality will remain intact - All core features, including the symptom checker quiz, will work normally
  • Analytics data will not be collected - We won't be able to track your usage to improve our services
  • Preferences may not be remembered - You may need to reset preferences on each visit
  • Personalization may be limited - The experience may be less tailored to your preferences

Data Protection and Privacy

Our use of cookies is governed by our Privacy Policy and complies with applicable data protection regulations, including:

  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU/UK users
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents
  • ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law) requirements

We are committed to transparency about our data practices and your rights regarding cookie usage.

Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in our cookie usage or tracking technologies
  • New features or services that require additional cookies
  • Changes in legal requirements or industry standards
  • Updates to third-party services we use

When we make significant changes, we will notify users through our website and update the "Last Updated" date. We recommend reviewing this policy periodically.

Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please:

We're committed to being transparent about our data practices and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Question? please Contact Us.