Cookie Policy

Version: v2026.10.1Effective: October 8, 2026Updated: October 8, 2026

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 What are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit them. They help websites function properly, remember your preferences, and provide information to the site owners.

1.2 About This Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Automate America, Inc. ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website at automateamerica.com (the "Platform").

By using our Platform, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. You choose which non-essential cookies we may use with the cookie control described in Section 6, and you can also manage cookies in your browser (Section 5.2).

1.3 Legal Basis
This policy is designed to comply with:

  • GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) - EU
  • CCPA/CPRA (California Consumer Privacy Act) - California, USA
  • ePrivacy Directive - EU
  • UK GDPR - United Kingdom

2. TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE

We use the following categories of cookies on our Platform:

2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)
These cookies are required for the Platform to function and cannot be disabled. They include:

  • Authentication tokens to keep you logged in
  • Security tokens to protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF)
  • Session management cookies

2.2 Performance Cookies (Analytics)
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Platform:

  • Page views and navigation patterns
  • Time spent on pages
  • Error messages encountered
  • Platform performance metrics

2.3 Functionality Cookies (Preferences)
We do not set functionality cookies. The few things the site remembers for you, such as your cookie choice, are kept in your browser's storage (Section 3).

2.4 Marketing Cookies (Advertising)
We do not set marketing cookies, and we do not run other companies' advertising tags on our Platform.

You can enable or disable non-essential cookies at any time with the cookie control (Section 6).

3. SPECIFIC COOKIES WE USE

Below are the cookies our Platform sets, by name. Each entry gives who sets it, what it is for, how long it lasts, and whether it is first-party or third-party.

Essential Cookies (Always Active)

  • csrf_token (Automate America): Protects your forms and account actions against cross-site request forgery. Duration: 24 hours. Type: first-party.
  • auth_token (Automate America, only when you sign in): Keeps you signed in; scripts on the page cannot read it. Duration: 30 days, or until you sign out. Type: first-party.
  • has_session (Automate America, only when you sign in): Tells the page that you are signed in; it carries no sign-in details of its own. Duration: the same as auth_token. Type: first-party.
  • feed-user-id (Automate America, only when you sign in): Tells our pages which account is signed in; scripts on the page cannot read it. Duration: 30 days, or until you sign out. Type: first-party.
  • refresh_token (Automate America, only when you sign in): Renews your sign-in; it is sent only to our sign-in service and scripts on the page cannot read it. Duration: 30 days, or until you sign out. Type: first-party.
  • aa_device (Automate America, after you sign in): Recognises a device you have signed in on, so we ask for a verification code only on a new device; scripts on the page cannot read it. Duration: about 180 days. Type: first-party.

Analytics Cookies

  • _ga and ga followed by our analytics ID (Google Analytics): Distinguish visitors and visits so we can see how the Platform is used. Duration: as Google sets them. Type: third-party (set on our site by Google's script).

We do not set functionality or marketing cookies.

Stored in your browser, not as a cookie:

  • cookie_consent: Your cookie choice. We ask again after 12 months or when our cookie practices change.
  • While you use the Platform, other items that keep you signed in and remember unfinished work, such as an unsent draft of a posting.

Note: This list is updated when the cookies we set change. You can also use your browser's settings to see the cookies set by our Platform.

4. THIRD-PARTY COOKIES

We work with the following third-party service providers who may set cookies on your device:

Google Analytics

Stripe

  • Purpose: Payment processing
  • Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy
  • Note: Essential for payment functionality; cannot be disabled if making payments

YouTube (Google)

  • Purpose: Plays the videos on our pages — our explainer videos, and videos members link from YouTube.
  • Our explainer videos: Before you press play, a page loads only the video's picture, from YouTube's image server (i.ytimg.com); no YouTube player or script loads, and the picture sets no cookie. When you press play, the player loads from YouTube's privacy-enhanced address (youtube-nocookie.com) and the video plays; from then on YouTube may store cookies or similar items on your device and receives information about what you watch.
  • Videos members link: They play in YouTube's own player, from youtube.com or youtube-nocookie.com, and YouTube may store cookies or similar items on your device when that player loads. Their pictures load from YouTube's image server (i.ytimg.com) wherever they are shown.
  • Your cookie choice: The cookie control in Section 6 does not switch YouTube on or off. To avoid YouTube's cookies, do not play a video.
  • Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

We encourage you to review these third parties' privacy policies to understand their data practices.

5. MANAGING YOUR COOKIES

5.1 The Cookie Control on Our Platform
On a computer, a small cookie button sits in the bottom-right corner of every page until you make a choice; it opens the cookie choices. On a phone, the cookie choices are under "Cookie preferences" in the menu (☰), or in your account menu on dashboard pages. On the sign-in page, which has no menu, the small cookie button is shown on phones as well. The choices let you allow or refuse non-essential cookies.

5.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

  • View what cookies are stored
  • Delete specific cookies or all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies
  • Block all cookies
  • Set preferences for specific websites

Browser-Specific Instructions:

5.3 Industry Opt-Out Tools
You can opt out of targeted advertising through these industry tools:

6. CONSENT

6.1 How We Obtain Consent
When you first visit, we do not cover the page with a banner. On a computer, the small cookie button in the corner opens the choices — Accept All, Reject Non-Essential, or Customize — with a link to this Cookie Policy. On a phone, open the menu and choose "Cookie preferences".

6.2 Essential Cookies
Essential cookies do not require your consent as they are strictly necessary for the Platform to function. These cookies are set automatically when you use our Platform.

6.3 Non-Essential Cookies
Google Analytics, which measures how the site is used, starts when a page loads. If you choose Reject Non-Essential, or turn analytics off under Customize, it stops collecting on that device from then on. We do not use functionality or marketing cookies. YouTube, which plays the videos on our pages, is not controlled by these choices; Section 4 says what it loads and when. In the cookie control you can:

  • Accept all non-essential cookies
  • Reject all non-essential cookies
  • Customize which categories you allow

6.4 Withdrawing Consent
You can withdraw your consent at any time:

  • On a phone: open the menu → Cookie preferences, and change your choice
  • On a computer: once you have chosen, the corner button no longer shows; to choose again, clear this site's data in your browser and reload the page, or block cookies in your browser settings (Section 5.2)
  • Using the opt-out links provided in this policy

Please note that withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal.

6.5 Consent Renewal
We may ask for your consent again:

  • After 12 months from your last consent
  • If we make significant changes to our cookie practices
  • If you clear your cookies or use a new device

7. UPDATES TO THIS POLICY

7.1 How We Notify You
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in our cookie practices
  • New legal requirements
  • Updates to third-party services we use
  • Platform improvements

7.2 Notification Methods
When we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you by:

  • Posting the updated policy on this page
  • Giving it a new version and effective date
  • Requesting renewed consent if required

7.3 Effective Date
Changes become effective immediately upon posting unless otherwise stated. For significant changes affecting how we use your data, we will provide reasonable advance notice.

7.4 Your Responsibility
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our cookie practices. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

8. YOUR GDPR RIGHTS (EU/EEA/UK USERS)

If you are located in the European Union, European Economic Area, or United Kingdom, you have specific rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR regarding cookies and tracking technologies.

8.1 Legal Basis for Cookies
Our use of cookies is based on:

  • Strictly Necessary Cookies: Legitimate interest and contractual necessity (no consent required)
  • All Other Cookies: Your consent (given through the cookie control in Section 6; Google Analytics starts before a choice — Section 6.3; YouTube's player stores its own items when it loads, which for our explainer videos is only after you press play — Section 4)

8.2 Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding cookies:

  • Right to Information: Receive clear information about what cookies we use and why
  • Right to Access: Request information about what cookie data we have collected
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your cookie data by clearing cookies in your browser
  • Right to Object: Object to processing of your data via non-essential cookies
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your cookie consent at any time through the cookie control (Section 6.4)
  • Right to Complain: Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

8.3 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise these rights:

  • Use the cookie control (Section 6)
  • Adjust your browser settings to delete or block cookies
  • Email us at info@automateamerica.com

8.4 No Detriment
We will not discriminate against you for exercising your cookie preferences. However, some Platform features may not function correctly without essential cookies.

9. YOUR CCPA RIGHTS (CALIFORNIA USERS)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) regarding cookies and tracking technologies.

9.1 Your Rights Under CCPA/CPRA

  • Right to Know: You have the right to know what personal information is collected via cookies, including the categories of information and purposes of collection.
  • Right to Delete: You have the right to request deletion of personal information collected via cookies (subject to certain exceptions).
  • Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt-out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information.
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

9.2 Do We "Sell" or "Share" Personal Information?
Automate America does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. If our practices ever change, we will update this Policy and, as required by law, provide the applicable opt-out mechanism. In the meantime, you can still manage cookie-based tracking by:

  • Choosing Reject Non-Essential, or turning analytics off under Customize, in the cookie control (Section 6)

9.3 Cookie Categories and CCPA Compliance

  • Essential Cookies: Strictly necessary; not subject to opt-out
  • Analytics Cookies: Internet activity information; not sold/shared
  • Functionality and Marketing Cookies: none are used

9.4 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise your CCPA rights:

  • Online: the cookie control (Section 6)
  • Email: info@automateamerica.com
  • Phone: 586-770-8083
  • Mail: Automate America, Inc., PO Box 1638, Greer, SC 29652

We will respond to verifiable requests within 45 days.

10. CONTACT US

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

Automate America, Inc.
PO Box 1638
Greer, SC 29652

General Inquiries:

Privacy-Related Inquiries:

Response Times:

  • Privacy requests: Within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA)

Related Policies:

  • Site User Agreement (Section 12 is our Privacy Notice): /legal/user-agreement
  • Acceptable Use Policy: /legal/acceptable-use-policy

Acknowledgment

By using the Automate America Platform, you acknowledge that:

  • You have read and understood this Cookie Policy
  • You consent to the use of essential cookies (required for Platform operation)
  • You have the option to accept or reject non-essential cookies
  • You can manage your cookie preferences at any time with the cookie control in Section 6
  • You understand that blocking certain cookies may affect Platform functionality