Cookie Policy

Last Updated: December 09, 2025

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Kekula ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our educational platform (the "Service"). This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. Cookies help websites remember information about your visit, making your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the Service to function properly. They enable core functionality such as:

  • Session Management: Keeping you logged in as you navigate the Service
  • Security: Protecting your account and preventing fraud
  • Load Balancing: Distributing traffic across our servers

Examples:

  • session: Maintains your login session
  • csrf_token: Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks

Duration: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or up to 30 days

Can be disabled? No - the Service will not function properly without these cookies.

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization:

  • Preferences: Remembering your settings and choices
  • Language: Storing your preferred language
  • Accessibility: Remembering accessibility preferences

Examples:

  • user_preferences: Stores your display and interface preferences
  • language: Remembers your language selection

Duration: Up to 1 year

Can be disabled? Yes - but some features may not work as expected.

3.3 Analytics (Cookie-less)

We use privacy-focused, cookie-less analytics to understand how users interact with the Service. Our analytics implementation:

  • Does NOT set any cookies - We use Google Analytics with cookie storage disabled
  • Anonymizes IP addresses - Your IP is never stored in full
  • Does NOT track across sites - No cross-site tracking or advertising signals
  • Collects no personal information - Only anonymous usage patterns

What we track:

  • Pages visited and features used
  • Performance metrics (loading times, errors)
  • Anonymous session data

Can be disabled? Yes - through our consent banner when you first visit the site.

Note for Children: Analytics for Student Accounts uses the same privacy-focused approach with additional anonymization.

3.4 Cookies We DO NOT Use

We do NOT use:

  • Advertising Cookies: We do not serve targeted advertisements
  • Third-Party Marketing Cookies: We do not allow third parties to track users for marketing
  • Social Media Tracking: We do not use social media tracking pixels

4. Special Protections for Children

In compliance with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act):

  • We use only essential cookies for Student Accounts by default
  • Our cookie-less analytics is privacy-focused and collects no personal information
  • We do not use cookies for behavioral advertising to children
  • We do not allow third-party cookies that collect children's information

5. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

  1. Provide the Service: Essential cookies enable core functionality
  2. Improve User Experience: Remember your preferences and settings
  3. Enhance Security: Protect your account and prevent unauthorized access
  4. Analyze Usage: Understand how users interact with the Service (with consent)
  5. Fix Bugs: Identify and resolve technical issues
  6. Optimize Performance: Improve loading times and reliability

6. Third-Party Cookies

We use limited third-party services that may set cookies:

6.1 Authentication Services

  • Firebase Authentication: Manages user login sessions
  • Auth0: Provides student authentication
  • Purpose: Secure authentication and session management
  • Privacy Policy: Firebase Privacy, Auth0 Privacy

6.2 Payment Processing

  • Payment Processors: Process subscription payments
  • Purpose: Secure payment processing
  • Details: See our Subprocessors page for current payment processors

6.3 Analytics (Cookie-less, with consent)

  • Google Analytics: Privacy-focused implementation with no cookies
  • Purpose: Understand anonymous user behavior and improve the Service
  • Note: We disable cookie storage and cross-site tracking
  • Privacy Policy: Google Privacy

6.4 Cloud Infrastructure

  • Google Cloud Platform: Hosts the Service
  • Purpose: Service delivery and performance
  • Privacy Policy: GCP Privacy

7. Your Choices

7.1 Analytics Consent

When you first visit the Service, we will ask for your consent to enable analytics tracking. You can:

  • Accept all - Enable analytics to help us improve the Service
  • Essential only - Decline analytics tracking (only essential cookies for authentication)
  • Customize - Choose your preferences

Note: Since we use cookie-less analytics, this consent is for anonymous usage tracking, not for setting analytics cookies.

7.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through:

Our Consent Banner:

  • Appears when you first visit the site
  • Choose to accept or decline analytics tracking
  • Your preference is saved locally

Browser Settings:

  • Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies
  • Check your browser's help section for instructions
  • Note: Disabling essential cookies may prevent the Service from working properly

Browser-Specific Instructions:

7.3 Opt-Out Tools

You can also opt out of analytics using:

8. Mobile Devices

Our mobile apps may use similar technologies to cookies:

  • Local Storage: Stores data locally on your device
  • Device Identifiers: Anonymous identifiers for analytics
  • App Preferences: Remembers your settings

You can manage these through your device settings.

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on our website
  • Displaying a notice when you log in
  • Sending an email (for significant changes)

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

Privacy Officer Email: support@kekula.ai

11. Cookie List

Below is a detailed list of cookies we use:

Essential Cookies

Cookie Name Purpose Duration Type
session Maintains login session Session First-party
csrf_token Security - prevents CSRF attacks Session First-party
auth_token Authentication token 30 days First-party

Functional Cookies

Cookie Name Purpose Duration Type
user_preferences Stores user settings 1 year First-party
language Remembers language preference 1 year First-party
theme Remembers dark/light mode 1 year First-party

Analytics

We use cookie-less analytics. Google Analytics is configured with client_storage: 'none', meaning no analytics cookies (_ga, _gid, _gat) are set on your device. Analytics data is collected anonymously without persistent identifiers.

Third-Party Service Cookies

Cookie Name Purpose Duration Provider
__payment_* Payment processing Varies Payment Processors
firebase_* Authentication Varies Firebase
auth0_* Student authentication Varies Auth0

Note: This cookie list is current as of the last update date. Cookies may change as we update the Service. We will update this policy accordingly.