Cookie Policy
Last Updated: 02\05\2025
1. Introduction
1.1. Purpose of the Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy ("Policy") explains how TrekGuider Inc. ("Marketplace" or "Platform") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies, such as web beacons, pixels, and local storage, to collect, store, and process data when you visit or interact with our website and services. By using our Marketplace, you consent to our use of cookies and these technologies as described herein. This Policy forms an integral part of our Terms and Conditions and is closely linked to our Privacy Policy.
1.2. Scope and Applicability
This Policy applies to all users of the TrekGuider Marketplace, including buyers, sellers, and visitors, and covers all websites, pages, features, and content operated by TrekGuider Inc. where cookies are in use.
2. What Are Cookies?
2.1. Definition of Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They enable the site to recognize your device and store certain information about your visit, which may be used to enhance your browsing experience, analyze traffic, and enable various website functionalities.
2.2. Types of Cookies
Cookies are categorized based on their duration and the entity that sets them:
· Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are erased when you close your browser. For example, these cookies help you stay logged in during your browsing session. They support functionalities such as secure logins and session management.
· Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device until they expire or you manually delete them, used to remember preferences across sessions. For example, persistent cookies can remember your language preference for future visits to our site.
· First-Party Cookies: Cookies set directly by TrekGuider Inc. when you visit our website. These cookies are essential for the basic functioning of our platform.
· Third-Party Cookies: Cookies set by external entities (e.g., advertising networks or analytics services) that may be used on our site. For example, advertising networks may use third-party cookies to track your browsing habits and show you personalized ads.
3. Categories of Cookies Used
3.1 Essential/Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are critical for the basic operation of the website. They include cookies used for:
- Authenticating users and enabling secure logins. For example, cookies that verify your login credentials when you access your account.
- Managing user sessions and maintaining security features. For example, cookies that help ensure secure navigation and protect against fraudulent activity.
- Functionality like shopping carts. For example, cookies that allow you to add items to your cart and proceed to checkout.
- Ensuring website security. For example, cookies that help protect our website from malicious attacks.
3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information on how users interact with the Marketplace to help us improve functionality and overall performance. They are used for:
- Tracking website traffic and user interactions. For example, counting the number of visitors to our website and which pages they visit.
- Collecting data on page views, user behavior, and error messages. For example, tracking which pages are most popular, how users navigate through the site, and if they encounter any error messages.
- Analyzing trends to optimize the user experience. For example, using data to understand user navigation patterns and improve website design and content.
- Measuring website performance. For example, tracking page load times and identifying areas for performance improvement.
3.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance user experience by remembering choices you make, such as:
- Language preferences. For example, remembering your selected language so you don't have to choose it again on each visit.
- Login details. For example, offering to remember your username so you can log in faster on subsequent visits.
- Other personalized settings. For example, remembering your preferred font size or display settings.
- Saving items in your wishlist. For example, cookies that remember products you've added to your wishlist for future reference.
3.4 Advertising and Marketing Cookies
These cookies deliver targeted advertisements based on your browsing behavior and interests, both on the Marketplace and across third-party websites. They help us:
- Display relevant ads and promotions. For example, showing you ads for products you've previously viewed or similar items that might interest you.
- Measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. For example, tracking how many users click on our ads and whether those ads lead to purchases.
- Retargeting and behavioral advertising. For example, showing you ads for our Marketplace on other websites you visit after you've shown interest in our services.
3.5 Third-Party Cookies
We permit trusted third-party service providers to set cookies on our site for the following purposes:
- Google Analytics: For performance and analytics, helping us understand website traffic and user behavior.
- Google AdSense: For advertising, enabling us to display personalized ads and monetize our content.
- Social Media Platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, WhatsApp, Telegram, Email): For social sharing and integration, allowing you to share content on social media platforms using integrated icons. These platforms may set cookies to enable content sharing functionality and to track user interactions with sharing features. Please refer to the respective privacy policies of these social media platforms for information on their cookie usage.
4. How We Use Cookies
4.1. Personalization
Cookies are used to tailor your experience on the Marketplace, such as remembering your preferred language, login credentials, and settings.
4.2. Analytics and Performance
We use cookies to gather data about user interactions on the Marketplace. This information enables us to improve site functionality, monitor trends, and enhance overall user experience.
4.3. Advertising
Cookies help us display advertisements relevant to your interests based on your browsing history and interactions with the Marketplace.
5. Managing and Controlling Cookies
5.1. Cookie Consent and User Preference Management
· Consent Banner for Cookie Preferences: Upon initial access to the TrekGuider Marketplace, users are presented with a cookie consent banner. This banner serves to inform users about the Marketplace's use of cookies and to facilitate legally valid consent for non-essential cookie categories.
· Consent Options: The banner provides users with the following explicit choices:
o "Accept All" Option: Affirmative selection of the "Accept All" button constitutes freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent to the Marketplace's use of all cookie categories, including both essential and non-essential cookies, as detailed within this Cookie Policy. This action signifies the user's agreement to the full scope of cookie usage as described herein.
o "Manage Cookies" Option: Selection of the "Manage Cookies" button redirects the user to a dedicated "Cookie Preference Management" interface. This interface enables users to exercise granular control over their cookie preferences by category, providing the option to selectively enable or disable non-essential cookies, while essential cookies remain active for core website functionality.
· Essential Cookies - Always Active: Essential cookies, which are strictly necessary for the operation of the Marketplace and the provision of core services, are implemented on the legal basis of legitimate interest and are therefore set as "Always On." Continued use of the Marketplace after being informed of the use of essential cookies constitutes implied consent to their deployment. Users are informed that these cookies are indispensable for website security, account authentication, secure transaction processing, and the maintenance of user-defined privacy settings. Due to their essential nature, these cookies cannot be disabled by the user. Continued use of the Marketplace constitutes implied consent to the deployment of essential cookies.
· Implied Rejection of Non-Essential Cookies on Banner Closure: Closure of the initial cookie consent banner, without explicit affirmative action through "Accept All" or "Manage Cookies," is interpreted as a non-affirmative response and signifies the user's implied rejection of non-essential cookies. In such instances, the Marketplace will deploy only strictly necessary essential cookies, and non-essential cookie categories will remain disabled.
· Persistent User Preference Setting: User-defined cookie preferences, whether established through "Accept All" or the "Manage Cookies" interface, are persistently stored for a duration of six (6) months. Users retain the ongoing right to access and modify their cookie preferences at any time via the "Cookie Settings" link located in the website footer, ensuring continuous control over their cookie settings.
· Legal Basis for Processing: The Marketplace processes personal data collected via cookies in accordance with the legal bases outlined in the Privacy Policy. Consent serves as the legal basis for the processing of data collected through non-essential cookies, while legitimate interest serves as the legal basis for essential cookies.
5.2. Managing Cookie Preferences
You can modify your cookie settings at any time via:
· Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to block, delete, or be notified about cookies. Please be aware that disabling certain categories of cookies, particularly strictly necessary cookies, may negatively impact your user experience and may prevent you from fully utilizing all features of the Marketplace. Refer to your browser's help documentation for specific instructions. Refer to your browser's help documentation for specific instructions.
· Persistent Access to Cookie Preference Management: Users maintain continuous and readily available access to their cookie preferences through the "Cookie Settings" link consistently positioned in the website footer. Selecting this link re-initiates the "Cookie Preference Management" interface, enabling users to review, modify, and reaffirm their cookie settings at any juncture during their engagement with the Marketplace.
5.3. Browser Settings and Help
For detailed guidance on managing cookies, please refer to the official support pages for popular browsers:
Additionally, for regulatory guidance on cookies and online privacy, please review the ePrivacy Directive.
6. Data Retention
Cookies remain on your device for the duration specified by the cookie type. Here are examples of typical cookie durations:
· Session Cookies: Automatically deleted when you close your browser session.
· Persistent Cookies: Remain until they expire or are manually deleted. For example:
o Google Analytics cookies (e.g., _ga, _gid): typically expire after 2 years.
o Cookies for remembering language preferences: typically expire after 1 year.
o Advertising cookies: expiration periods vary, often ranging from a few days to several months, depending on the advertising provider.
7. Third-Party Cookies and Data Transfers
7.1. Third-Party Cookie Providers
Our platform may allow third-party providers to set cookies for purposes such as analytics and advertising. These include providers like Google Analytics, Google AdSense, and social media networks.
7.2. Data Transfers
Certain cookies may result in the transfer of personal data to third parties, including international transfers outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Such transfers are conducted in compliance with applicable data protection laws, employing Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) as approved by the European Commission, or other appropriate safeguards recognized under applicable law. You can find more information about Standard Contractual Clauses on the European Commission's website: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection/standard-contractual-clauses-scc_en.
8. Changes to This Cookie Policy
8.1. Amendments and Updates
· Marketplace Right to Amend: TrekGuider Inc. explicitly reserves the unilateral right to amend, revise, modify, or update this Policy, in whole or in part, at any time, for any reason, and at its sole and absolute discretion. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to add, remove, or modify provisions, clauses, sections, or subsections of this Policy, and to introduce new policies, guidelines, or procedures at any time.
· Immediate Effectiveness and Posting of Updated Policy: Any and all amendments, revisions, modifications, or updates to this Policy shall become effective immediately upon their posting on the TrekGuider Marketplace website, unless a specific future effective date is explicitly designated by the Marketplace in the updated Policy. The most current and controlling version of this Policy will always be the version posted on the Marketplace website.
· User Notification of Significant Changes: While the Marketplace reserves the right to amend this Policy without prior notice, for substantive, material, or significant changes that, in the Marketplace’s sole discretion, may materially affect users' rights or obligations under this Policy, the Marketplace will endeavor to provide reasonable advance notification to users. Such notification may be provided via prominent posting of a notice on the Marketplace website, email communication to registered users, in-platform notifications, or other commercially reasonable means of communication, at the Marketplace’s sole discretion. However, the Marketplace provides no guarantee that users will receive actual or timely notice of all Policy amendments, and users remain solely responsible for periodically reviewing the Policy for updates.
8.2. Policy Review and Periodic Updates Schedule
To ensure the enduring currency, continued operational effectiveness, and unwavering legal compliance of this Policy, and to proactively reflect the dynamic evolution of applicable legal and regulatory mandates, as well as ongoing adaptations in the TrekGuider Marketplace's business operations, technological infrastructure, and prevailing industry best practices, this Policy shall be subject to a formalized, meticulously structured, and consistently implemented program of periodic review and updates, conducted according to the following comprehensive schedule and rigorously defined process:
· Pre-Defined Triggers for Mandatory Policy Review: This Policy shall be automatically triggered for mandatory review and potential update on a pre-defined, recurring basis, and also on an ad-hoc, event-driven basis, specifically and immediately upon the occurrence of any of the following triggering events:
o Material Amendments to Governing Laws and Regulations: Any substantive amendments, significant revisions, comprehensive overhauls, or superseding enactments of controlling international, federal, state, or local laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, administrative rules, or legally binding judicial precedents, decrees, or governmental directives that may, in any demonstrable manner, materially impact the substantive content, legal interpretation, practical enforcement, or overall legal defensibility of this Policy, or that may impose new, modified, or expanded legal or regulatory obligations, liabilities, or compliance requirements upon the TrekGuider Marketplace, shall automatically trigger an immediate, prioritized, and comprehensive review of this Policy to ensure continued, unimpeachable legal compliance and alignment with the most current legal and regulatory landscape.
o Substantial and Strategic Modifications to Core Business Model or Operational Practices: Any fundamental, strategic, or transformative changes, significant alterations, material expansions, or substantial evolutions in the TrekGuider Marketplace’s core business model, fundamental operational practices, primary service offerings, core technological infrastructure, principal data processing activities, key strategic partnerships, or other demonstrably material aspects of the Marketplace’s overarching operations, strategic direction, or business focus that may, in any reasonably foreseeable manner, necessitate substantive revisions, critical updates, or comprehensive re-evaluations of this Policy to ensure its continued accuracy, ongoing relevance, sustained operational effectiveness, and demonstrable alignment with the Marketplace’s current business practices, strategic imperatives, and evolving operational realities, shall automatically trigger a timely, thorough, and meticulously documented review of this Policy to guarantee its continued fitness for purpose and sustained practical applicability in the context of the Marketplace’s dynamically evolving operational environment.
· Rigorous and Multi-Party Policy Review and Update Process: The comprehensive review and any subsequent updates, revisions, or amendments to this Policy shall be conducted through a formalized, multi-party, and demonstrably rigorous process, collaboratively led and jointly executed by the TrekGuider Inc. Founder, serving as the ultimate business and operational authority for the Marketplace platform, and qualified, experienced, and duly authorized legal counsel, possessing specialized expertise in internet law, e-commerce regulation, data privacy compliance, and online marketplace legal frameworks, thereby ensuring a demonstrably comprehensive, demonstrably legally informed, and demonstrably operationally pragmatic assessment of the Policy’s continued adequacy, sustained legal defensibility, and ongoing practical effectiveness. This meticulously structured and rigorously implemented Policy review and update process shall systematically encompass, without limitation, the following essential procedural components and substantive analytical elements:
o Exhaustive Legal Compliance Review: Duly authorized and qualified legal counsel shall conduct a demonstrably exhaustive, meticulously documented, and demonstrably legally rigorous review of the entirety of this Policy, systematically assessing each and every provision, clause, and section of the Policy against the most current and comprehensively updated corpus of applicable international, federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, administrative rules, and legally binding judicial precedents, decrees, and governmental directives, meticulously identifying any and all areas, aspects, or provisions of the Policy that may, in counsel’s expert legal judgment, require substantive updates, revisions, or amendments to ensure the Policy’s continued, unimpeachable, and demonstrably robust legal compliance, sustained legal defensibility, and ongoing alignment with prevailing legal standards, regulatory expectations, and jurisprudential best practices.
o Comprehensive Operational and Business Alignment Review: The TrekGuider Inc. Founder, possessing ultimate operational authority and comprehensive strategic oversight for the Marketplace platform, shall conduct a demonstrably comprehensive, meticulously documented, and demonstrably operationally focused review of the entirety of this Policy, systematically evaluating each and every provision, clause, and section of the Policy against the Marketplace’s most current and strategically updated core business model, fundamental operational practices, primary service offerings, core technological infrastructure, principal data processing activities, key strategic partnerships, and other demonstrably material aspects of the Marketplace’s overarching operations, strategic direction, and business focus, meticulously identifying any and all areas, aspects, or provisions of the Policy that may, in the Founder’s expert operational and strategic judgment, require substantive updates, revisions, or amendments to ensure the Policy’s continued accuracy, ongoing relevance, sustained operational effectiveness, and demonstrable practical applicability in the dynamically evolving context of the Marketplace’s day-to-day operations, strategic imperatives, and evolving business realities.
o Meticulous Documentation and Version Control of Policy Amendments: Any and all substantive amendments, material revisions, comprehensive updates, or minor grammatical or stylistic edits to this Policy, resulting from the aforementioned rigorous and multi-party review process, shall be meticulously documented, comprehensively recorded, clearly version-controlled, and formally incorporated into the official, master Policy document, ensuring a complete, transparent, and readily auditable historical record of all modifications, revisions, and updates implemented over time. Each updated, revised, or amended iteration of the Policy shall prominently display a revised “Last Updated” date, conspicuously reflecting the precise date of the most recent substantive changes, thereby providing users with a readily accessible and easily verifiable mechanism for ascertaining the currentness and effective date of the governing Policy document.
9. Contact Information
For any questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights regarding this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
Email: legal@trekguider.com
Website Contact Form: https://trekguider.com/contact/
By continuing to use the TrekGuider Marketplace, you agree to the use of cookies as outlined in this Cookie Policy.