Cookies Policy

aithic.org - Privacy-First Cookie Practices

Last Updated: September 2025

Our Cookie Promise:

We use minimal essential cookies for login functionality only. No analytics, tracking, or advertising cookies. Complete transparency about our cookie practices with full GDPR compliance.

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device to remember information about your visit. They help websites function properly and can enhance user experience.

This policy explains how aithic.org uses cookies and similar technologies on our website. We believe in complete transparency about our data practices and minimal cookie usage.

2. Our Minimal Cookie Approach

Cookies We Do NOT Use

Unlike many websites, aithic.org deliberately avoids tracking and analytics cookies:

  • Analytics cookies (e.g., Google Analytics)
  • Advertising or marketing cookies
  • Social media tracking cookies
  • Behavioral tracking cookies
  • Cross-site tracking technologies
  • User profiling or personalization cookies
  • Performance monitoring cookies
  • Third-party advertising networks

The Only Cookie We Use

We use a single essential cookie for basic website functionality:

  • Session authentication cookie (when you log in)

Legal Basis: Strictly necessary for service provision (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b) - contract performance)

3. Session Cookie Details

Login Session Cookie

When you log into your aithic.org account, we set a unique session cookie to maintain your login state. This cookie is essential for providing you with secure access to your account and our AI ethics tools.

Attribute Details
Cookie Name PHPSESSID
Purpose Maintain user login session and authentication state
Type Strictly necessary / Essential
Duration Session-only
Domain aithic.org
Third-Party Access None - exclusively used by aithic.org
Security Secure, HttpOnly, SameSite=Strict
Content Encrypted unique session identifier (no personal data)

Security Features: Our session cookie includes multiple security protections to prevent unauthorized access and protect your account security.

4. Cookie Categories

Understanding different types of cookies and how aithic.org uses (or doesn't use) them:

✓ Strictly Necessary

We Use: Login session cookie only

Required for basic website functionality. Cannot be disabled without breaking core features.

✗ Performance/Analytics

We Do NOT Use

No Google Analytics, page views tracking, or performance monitoring cookies.

✗ Functional

We Do NOT Use

No preference storage, language settings, or personalization cookies.

✗ Targeting/Advertising

We Do NOT Use

No advertising, remarketing, or behavioral targeting cookies.

5. Cookie Consent and Your Choices

No Cookie Banner Required

Since we only use a strictly necessary session cookie for login functionality, we do not require cookie consent banners or pop-ups under GDPR Article 6(1)(b) (contract performance) and ePrivacy Directive exemptions for essential cookies.

Your Cookie Controls

Browser Settings

Configure cookie preferences in your browser settings

Clear Data

Browser's "Clear Browsing Data" removes all cookies

Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable cookies in your browser settings:

  • You will not be able to log into your account
  • You can still browse public areas of the website

6. How to Manage Cookies in Your Browser

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

Chrome

Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data

Firefox

Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

Safari

Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data

Edge

Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

7. Third-Party Services and Cookies

Third-Party Cookie Policy

We do NOT embed or integrate any third-party services that set cookies on our website:

  • No Google Analytics or similar analytics platforms
  • No social media plugins (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn widgets)
  • No advertising networks or marketing pixels
  • No customer support chat widgets that use tracking
  • No content delivery networks that track users
  • No embedded maps or video players with tracking

External AI Processing

While domain names are processed through Google Gemini AI for analysis, this integration:

  • Does not set any cookies on your browser
  • Does not track your browsing behavior
  • Only processes domain names you submit for analysis
  • Does not create user profiles or persistent identifiers

8. GDPR Cookie Compliance

GDPR Cookie Rights and Compliance

Our cookie practices fully comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive requirements:

Consent Requirements

Session cookies are exempt from consent requirements as strictly necessary cookies (ePrivacy Art. 5(3))

Data Minimization

We collect only essential cookie data required for login functionality (GDPR Art. 5(1)(c))

Transparency

Complete disclosure of cookie usage practices in this policy (GDPR Art. 12)

User Control

Full browser-level control and automatic session expiration

Legal Basis for Session Cookies: Our session cookie is considered "strictly necessary" under GDPR and ePrivacy Directive, as it's essential for providing the login service you've specifically requested. No additional consent is required for this functionality.

9. Cookie Security

We implement industry-standard security measures for our session cookie:

Technical Security

  • HttpOnly: Prevents JavaScript access
  • Secure Flag: HTTPS transmission only
  • SameSite=Strict: Prevents CSRF attacks
  • Encryption: Session data is encrypted
  • Random Generation: Cryptographically secure session IDs

Privacy Protection

  • No Personal Data: Cookie contains no identifiable information
  • Session-Only: Automatically expires with browser session
  • Single Domain: Only accessible to aithic.org
  • No Third-Party Access: Never shared with external services
  • No Cross-Site Tracking: Cannot track across websites

10. Data Collection Through Cookies

What Our Cookies Collect vs. What They Don't

Session Cookie Collects:

Encrypted session identifier only - no personal information

We Do NOT Collect:

Browsing history, user behavior, demographics, interests, or tracking data

Data Retention:

Session expires when browser closes - no persistent storage

Third-Party Sharing:

Zero cookie data shared with any external parties

11. Questions About Our Cookie Policy

If you have questions about our cookie practices or this policy:

General Inquiries:
privacy@aithic.org

Data Protection Officer:
dpo@aithic.org

Technical Questions:
contact@aithic.org

Website: aithic.org

Response Time: We respond to cookie-related inquiries within 48 hours.

12. Related Policies

For comprehensive information about your privacy rights and our data practices:

Privacy Policy

View our Privacy Policy

Complete data protection practices, GDPR & CCPA rights, and account data handling

Terms of Use

View our Terms of Use

Service terms, user responsibilities, and legal agreements

13. Summary

aithic.org Cookie Practices Summary

Total Cookies:

1 essential session cookie only

Tracking Cookies:

Zero - We don't track users

Cookie Duration:

Session-only (browser close = automatic deletion)

Third-Party Cookies:

None - No external cookie integration

Consent Required:

No - Strictly necessary cookies exempt

User Control:

Full browser control + logout removes cookie

This cookies policy reflects our commitment to privacy-first web practices and minimal data collection.