Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide a better user experience.

How Cookies Work

When you visit our Platform, cookies are stored by your web browser. These files contain information that can be read by the website on subsequent visits. Cookies typically include:

• A unique identifier (random string of characters)
• The domain name of the website that created it
• Expiration date (session-based or persistent)
• Specific data relevant to your browsing session

First-Party vs Third-Party Cookies

Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we use similar technologies:

• Local Storage: Browser storage for larger data (e.g., offline magazine caching for PWA)
• Session Storage: Temporary data that expires when you close your browser
• Pixels/Beacons: Tiny images used to track email opens and ad impressions
• Service Workers: Scripts that enable offline functionality and push notifications

We categorize cookies based on their purpose and your ability to opt out:

3.1 Google Analytics 4

We use Google Analytics to understand user behavior and improve our Platform. Data collected includes:

• Pages viewed and time spent on each page
• User journey (entry point, navigation path, exit page)
• Device type, browser, operating system, screen resolution
• Geographic location (city/country level, not precise GPS)
• Traffic sources (direct, search engines, social media)

Your Privacy: Google Analytics data is anonymized (IP addresses masked). You can opt out using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on.

3.2 Product analytics

We track custom events to measure feature usage:

• article_read - Magazine article views
• subscription_purchase - Subscription completions
• event_rsvp - Event registrations
• search_query - Internal search usage
• offline_access - PWA offline mode activations

3.3 Vercel Analytics

Monitors Platform performance (page load speeds, Core Web Vitals). No personal data is collected—only aggregate performance metrics.

4.1 Email Tracking

Emails sent via SendGrid may contain tracking pixels to measure:

• Open Rate: Whether you opened the email (pixel loads when email is viewed)
• Click Rate: Which links you clicked (tracked via unique URLs)
• Device/Client: What email app you used (Gmail, Outlook, mobile)

Why We Track: Helps us improve email content and send you more relevant updates. You can disable tracking by:

• Disabling image loading in your email client
• Unsubscribing from marketing emails (one-click link in every email)

4.2 UTM Campaign Tracking

Links shared in emails, social media, or ads contain UTM parameters (e.g., ?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=magazine_launch). These help us understand which marketing channels are most effective.

4.3 Social Media Pixels

Currently NOT Used: We do not embed Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, or similar third-party ad tracking. If we add these in the future, we will update this policy and notify users.

5.1 Service Workers

Our Progressive Web App (PWA) uses service workers to enable offline magazine reading. Service workers cache:

• App Shell: HTML, CSS, JavaScript files for the magazine reader
• Static Assets: Fonts, icons, UI components
• Magazine Issues:Latest 3 issues you've accessed (up to 100MB)
• User Preferences: Reading position, bookmarks, display settings

5.2 Local Storage

Used to store non-sensitive data like:

• Theme preference (dark/light mode)
• Last read article position (for resuming later)
• Draft comments (before submission)

5.3 Managing PWA Storage

You can clear PWA cache by:

• Desktop: Browser Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data → Cached Images and Files
• Android: App Settings → Storage → Clear Cache
• iOS: Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
• Uninstall PWA: Removes all offline data immediately

Note: Clearing cache will remove offline magazine access until you reconnect to the internet.

6.1 Cookie Consent Banner

On your first visit, you'll see a cookie consent banner with options:

• Accept All: Enable all cookies (recommended for best experience)
• Reject Non-Essential: Only strictly necessary cookies
• Customize: Choose specific cookie categories

Your preference is saved for 1 year. You can change it anytime via the cookie settings link in the footer.

6.2 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete existing cookies
• Set cookies to expire when you close your browser

⚠️ Warning: Blocking all cookies will prevent you from logging in and accessing subscription content.

6.3 Opt-Out Tools

• Google Analytics: Install Opt-Out Browser Add-on
• Do Not Track (DNT): We respect browser DNT signals and disable analytics cookies when detected
• Mobile: iOS/Android have built-in ad tracking controls in privacy settings

Under data protection laws, you have the right to:

• Know What Data is Collected: This policy provides full transparency
• Access Your Data: Request a copy of cookie data via legal@charamediazambia.com
• Delete Cookies: Clear via browser settings or request account deletion
• Opt Out of Analytics: Disable via cookie preferences or browser tools
• Withdraw Consent: Change preferences anytime without affecting Platform functionality (except necessary cookies)

For detailed information about your data rights, please read our Privacy Policy.

We use trusted third-party services that may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies, but we've listed them for transparency:

We regularly review our third-party partners to ensure they meet our privacy standards. If a service changes its cookie practices, we update this policy accordingly.

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in:

• The cookies we use (new features, services)
• Cookie regulations and compliance requirements
• Third-party service provider changes
• User feedback and best practices

How We Notify You

For material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Display a notification banner on the Platform for 30 days
• Email registered users if changes significantly affect privacy
• Re-prompt cookie consent banner if new categories are added

We recommend reviewing this policy every 6 months. Continued use after updates constitutes acceptance.

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy:

Complaints and Escalation

If you're unhappy with how we handle cookies or your data:

1. Contact us first at legal@charamediazambia.com
2. We will investigate and respond within 14 business days
3. If unresolved, you may escalate to Zambian data protection authorities (contact details provided upon request)