Cookie Policy

DRAFT - REQUIRES LEGAL REVIEW

Last Updated: February 14, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how SMK SOFTWARE LLC ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on the AIAudit platform and website ("Service"). This policy is part of our Privacy Policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit a website. Cookies help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences, login status, and browsing activity.

1.1 Types of Cookies

Session Cookies:

• Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Used for essential functions like authentication and navigation

Persistent Cookies:

• Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted
• Used to remember your preferences and settings across visits

First-Party Cookies:

• Set directly by AIAudit
• Used to operate the Service and remember your preferences

Third-Party Cookies:

• Set by external services we use (analytics, advertising)
• Used for analytics, marketing, and service integrations

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Authenticate users: Keep you logged in as you navigate the Service
• Remember preferences: Store your settings, language, and display preferences
• Improve security: Detect and prevent fraudulent activity, protect against attacks
• Analyze usage: Understand how users interact with the Service to improve features
• Measure performance: Monitor Service performance, uptime, and error rates
• Personalize experience: Customize content and recommendations based on your usage
• Marketing: Measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns (with consent)

3. Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the Service to function and cannot be disabled.

Legal Basis: Strictly necessary for providing the Service (GDPR Article 6(1)(b))

You cannot opt out of essential cookies, as they are required for the Service to function properly. Disabling these cookies will prevent you from using the Service.

3.2 Functional Cookies (Preference Cookies)

These cookies remember your preferences and settings to enhance your experience.

Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (GDPR Article 6(1)(f)) or consent

You can opt out of functional cookies. The Service will still work, but your preferences will not be saved.

3.3 Analytics Cookies (Performance Cookies)

These cookies help us understand how users interact with the Service.

Data Collected:

• Pages visited, features used, time spent
• Device type, browser, operating system
• Anonymized IP addresses (last octet removed)
• Click events, form interactions, error messages

Legal Basis: Consent (GDPR Article 6(1)(a))

You can opt out of analytics cookies via cookie settings or browser settings.

Third-Party Privacy Policies:

• Google Analytics: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Mixpanel: https://mixpanel.com/legal/privacy-policy/

3.4 Marketing Cookies (Advertising Cookies)

These cookies track your activity to measure marketing campaign effectiveness.

Note: We only use marketing cookies if you consent. Marketing cookies are not currently active but may be added in the future.

Data Collected:

• Pages visited before/after clicking ads
• Conversion events (sign-ups, subscriptions)
• Attribution data (which campaigns drove conversions)

Legal Basis: Consent (GDPR Article 6(1)(a))

You can opt out of marketing cookies via cookie settings, browser settings, or ad preference centers.

3.5 Social Media Cookies

If you share content via social media buttons, the social network may set cookies.

Note: Social media cookies are only set if you interact with social sharing buttons.

Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (GDPR Article 6(1)(f)) or consent

Privacy Policies:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/privacy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

4. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we use:

4.1 Local Storage

Purpose: Store larger amounts of data locally (preferences, cached data) Data: User settings, audit report drafts, UI state Control: Clear via browser developer tools or application settings

4.2 Session Storage

Purpose: Store temporary data for the current session Data: Form data, navigation state, temporary filters Control: Automatically cleared when you close the browser tab

4.3 Web Beacons (Pixels)

Purpose: Track email opens and engagement Usage: Transactional emails (to confirm delivery), marketing emails (if you consent) Data: Email open time, device type, IP address (anonymized) Control: Disable images in your email client to block pixels

4.4 Server Logs

Purpose: Monitor Service performance, security, and errors Data: IP addresses, request URLs, timestamps, user agents, response codes Retention: 90 days (security logs retained longer if required by law) Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (GDPR Article 6(1)(f))

5. How to Manage Cookies

5.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit AIAudit, you will see a cookie consent banner with options to:

• Accept all cookies: Enable all cookies (essential, functional, analytics, marketing)
• Reject non-essential cookies: Enable only essential cookies
• Customize preferences: Choose which cookie categories to enable

Your preferences are saved in the cookie_consent cookie and respected across all your sessions.

5.2 Account Settings

Logged-in users can manage cookie preferences at any time:

1. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Cookie Preferences
2. Toggle cookie categories on/off
3. Save your preferences

Changes take effect immediately and apply to your account on all devices.

5.3 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Google Chrome:

1. Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
2. Choose: Allow all, Block third-party, or Block all cookies
3. Manage exceptions for specific sites

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
2. Choose: Accept all, Block third-party, or Block all cookies
3. Manage exceptions

Safari (macOS/iOS):

1. Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
2. Choose: Always allow, Allow from current website only, or Always block
3. Manage website data

Microsoft Edge:

1. Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
2. Choose: Allow all, Block third-party, or Block all cookies
3. Manage exceptions

Note: Blocking all cookies will prevent you from using AIAudit, as essential cookies are required for authentication and security.

5.4 Opt-Out Tools

Google Analytics Opt-Out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Do Not Track (DNT): We currently do not respond to DNT signals, as there is no industry-wide standard. However, you can opt out via cookie settings.

Industry Opt-Out Tools:

• Network Advertising Initiative: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Digital Advertising Alliance: https://optout.aboutads.info/

6. Cookie Consent for EU/UK Users

6.1 GDPR and ePrivacy Requirements

For users in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and United Kingdom (UK):

• Essential cookies: No consent required (strictly necessary)
• Non-essential cookies: Consent required before cookies are set
• Consent must be: Freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous
• Pre-ticked boxes: Not allowed (must be opt-in)
• Withdraw consent: Can be withdrawn at any time via account settings

6.2 How We Obtain Consent

• We display a cookie banner on your first visit
• We explain what cookies we use and why
• We provide granular controls to accept/reject specific categories
• We do not set non-essential cookies until you consent
• We record your consent preferences and timestamp

6.3 How to Withdraw Consent

You can withdraw consent at any time:

1. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Cookie Preferences
2. Disable the cookie categories you no longer consent to
3. Save your preferences
4. We will delete non-essential cookies and stop setting new ones

Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of prior processing.

7. Children's Privacy

AIAudit is not intended for children under 18 (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect data from children or set cookies on their devices.

If we discover a child has used the Service, we will:

• Delete their account and data
• Remove all cookies associated with the account
• Notify the child's parent/guardian if possible

8. Updates to This Cookie Policy

8.1 Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy to:

• Add or remove cookies
• Reflect changes in technology or regulations
• Improve clarity and transparency

8.2 Notification

• Material changes: Notified via email and cookie banner (30 days' notice)
• Non-material changes: Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Continued use: Constitutes acceptance of changes

If you disagree with changes, you can withdraw consent or stop using the Service.

9. Contact Us

For questions about cookies or this Cookie Policy:

Privacy Team: Email: support@guardlane.io

General Support: Email: support@guardlane.io

Data Protection Officer (Mikhail Kuznetsov): Email: support@guardlane.io Response time: Within 7 business days

Postal Address: SMK SOFTWARE LLC 38 Shengavit Street, Apartment 8, Shengavit District, 0050 Yerevan, Armenia

10. Additional Resources

Learn More About Cookies:

• All About Cookies: https://www.allaboutcookies.org/
• EU Cookie Directive: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/reform/rules-business-and-organisations/principles-gdpr/cookies-and-other-tracking-technologies_en
• ICO Guidance (UK): https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guide-to-pecr/cookies-and-similar-technologies/

Third-Party Privacy Policies:

• Firebase (Google): https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
• Google Analytics: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Mixpanel: https://mixpanel.com/legal/privacy-policy/

11. Summary Table

Recommendation: Accept essential and functional cookies for the best experience. Analytics cookies help us improve the Service but are optional.

Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Related Policies:

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Data Processing Agreement

Manage Your Preferences: /settings/cookies

Questions? Contact support@guardlane.io