Cookie Policy

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 or automateamerica.com (the "Platform").

By using our Platform, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through our Cookie Preference Center or your browser settings.

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

Last Updated: February 4, 2026
Effective Date: February 4, 2026

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
• Cookie consent preference storage

2.2 Performance Cookies (Analytics)

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Platform by collecting anonymous information:

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

2.3 Functionality Cookies (Preferences)

These cookies remember your choices and preferences:

• Language preferences
• Display settings (theme, layout)
• Recent searches
• Notification preferences

2.4 Marketing Cookies (Advertising)

These cookies track your activity across websites to deliver relevant advertisements:

• Ad targeting and retargeting
• Conversion tracking
• Social media integration
• Campaign effectiveness measurement

You can enable or disable non-essential cookies at any time through our cookie settings.

Below is a comprehensive list of all cookies deployed on our Platform, organized by category. Each entry includes the cookie name, provider, purpose, duration, and whether it is a first-party or third-party cookie.

Essential Cookies (Always Active)

• feed_session (Automate America): Maintains user login session and authentication state. Duration: 24 hours. Type: first-party.
• auth_token (Automate America): Keeps you logged in across browser sessions. Duration: 30 days. Type: first-party.
• csrf_token (Automate America): Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks. Duration: Session. Type: first-party.
• cookie_consent (Automate America): Stores your cookie preference choices. Duration: 1 year. Type: first-party.

Functional Cookies

• feed_preferences (Automate America): Remembers your display preferences (theme, layout, filters). Duration: 1 year. Type: first-party.
• language (Automate America): Your preferred language setting. Duration: 1 year. Type: first-party.
• recent_searches (Automate America): Stores recent search queries for quick access. Duration: 30 days. Type: first-party.
• location_preference (Automate America): Remembers your preferred location for job searches. Duration: 90 days. Type: first-party.
• notification_prefs (Automate America): Your notification settings and preferences. Duration: 1 year. Type: first-party.

Analytics Cookies

• _ga (Google Analytics): Distinguishes unique users and tracks site usage. Duration: 2 years. Type: third-party.
• _gid (Google Analytics): Tracks user sessions for analytics. Duration: 24 hours. Type: third-party.
• _gat (Google Analytics): Throttles request rate to limit data collection. Duration: 1 minute. Type: third-party.

Marketing Cookies

• _fbp (Facebook/Meta): Tracks visits across websites for targeted advertising. Duration: 90 days. Type: third-party.
• li_fat_id (LinkedIn): Enables LinkedIn ad targeting and analytics. Duration: 30 days. Type: third-party.
• _gcl_au (Google Ads): Google Ads conversion tracking. Duration: 90 days. Type: third-party.

Note: This list is updated periodically. For the most current list, check this policy or use your browser's developer tools to inspect cookies set by our Platform.

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

Google Analytics

• Purpose: Website analytics and usage statistics
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Opt-Out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Stripe

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

Facebook/Meta Pixel

• Purpose: Advertising and conversion tracking
• Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy.php
• Opt-Out: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences

LinkedIn Insight Tag

• Purpose: Advertising and analytics for professional audiences
• Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
• Opt-Out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls

Google Ads

• Purpose: Advertising and remarketing
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Opt-Out: https://adssettings.google.com

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

5.1 Cookie Settings on Our Platform
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer. This allows you to enable or disable different categories of 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:

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647

• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer

• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data

https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-sfri11471/mac

• Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies-in-microsoft-edge

5.3 Industry Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of targeted advertising through these industry tools:

• Your Online Choices (EU): https://www.youronlinechoices.com/
• Network Advertising Initiative (US): https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Digital Advertising Alliance (US): https://optout.aboutads.info/

6.1 How We Obtain Consent

When you first visit our Platform, you will see a cookie banner that:

• Informs you about our use of cookies
• Provides options to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences
• Links to this full Cookie Policy

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

For performance, functionality, and marketing cookies, we request your consent before setting them. 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 by:

• Clicking "Cookie Settings" in our website footer
• Adjusting your browser settings
• 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

7.1 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
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top
• Displaying a notice on our Platform (for significant changes)
• 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.

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 explicit consent (obtained through our cookie consent banner)

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 our Cookie Preference Center
• Right to Complain: Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

8.3 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise these rights:

• Use our Cookie Preference Center (click "Cookie Settings" in footer)
• Adjust your browser settings to delete or block cookies
• Email us at privacy@automateamerica.com
• Contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@automateamerica.com

8.4 EU Representative
For users in the European Union, our representative can be contacted at: eu-privacy@automateamerica.com

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

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?

Under CCPA's broad definitions, sharing data with third-party advertising networks may constitute a "sale" or "sharing." You can opt-out by:

• Disabling Marketing Cookies in our Cookie Preference Center
• Using the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in our footer
• Enabling Global Privacy Control (GPC) in your browser

9.3 Cookie Categories and CCPA Compliance

• Essential Cookies: Strictly necessary; not subject to opt-out
• Functional Cookies: Personal information; not sold/shared
• Analytics Cookies: Internet activity information; not sold/shared
• Marketing Cookies: Internet activity information; opt-out available

9.4 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise your CCPA rights:

• Online: Use the "Cookie Settings" or "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" links
• Email: privacy@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.

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:

• Email: info@automateamerica.com
• Phone: 586-770-8083
• Hours: 6am-9pm EST, Monday-Sunday

Privacy-Related Inquiries:

• Email: privacy@automateamerica.com
• Data Protection Officer: dpo@automateamerica.com
• EU Representative: eu-privacy@automateamerica.com

Response Times:

• Email: Within 24-48 business hours
• Phone: Immediate during business hours
• Privacy requests: Within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA)

Related Policies:

• Privacy Policy: /legal/privacy-policy
• Terms of Service: /legal/terms-of-service
• Acceptable Use Policy: /legal/acceptable-use-policy