Cookie Policy

Last Updated: January 17, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how Home Meal App ("we," "us," "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and mobile applications.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit websites or use apps. They help websites remember your actions and preferences over time, so you don't have to keep re-entering information.

1.1 Types of Tracking Technologies

Cookies:

• Small text files stored on your device
• Session cookies (temporary, deleted when you close browser)
• Persistent cookies (remain until expiration or deletion)

Web Beacons (Pixels):

• Tiny graphics embedded in emails and web pages
• Track whether content was opened or viewed
• Often work with cookies

Local Storage:

• HTML5 storage for larger amounts of data
• Persists after browser is closed
• Used for preferences and offline functionality

Mobile SDKs:

• Software development kits in mobile apps
• Collect device and usage information
• Enable features like analytics and advertising

Fingerprinting:

• Techniques to identify devices based on characteristics
• Browser type, screen resolution, fonts, etc.
• We use limited fingerprinting for fraud prevention only

2. Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies

Purpose: Required for Platform to function properly

Examples:

• Authentication cookies (keep you logged in)
• Security cookies (prevent fraudulent activity)
• Load balancing cookies (distribute traffic)
• Cookie consent preferences

Duration: Session or up to 1 year

Can You Disable? No - these are necessary for Platform operation

Cookie Names:

• hmapp_session - Session identifier
• hmapp_auth - Authentication token
• hmapp_secure - Security verification
• hmapp_consent - Cookie consent choices

2.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

Purpose: Help us understand how you use the Platform and improve performance

What They Track:

• Pages visited and features used
• Time spent on pages
• Click paths and navigation patterns
• Errors and loading times
• Device and browser information

Third-Party Services:

• Google Analytics
• Mixpanel
• Sentry (error tracking)
• Firebase Analytics

Duration: Up to 2 years

Can You Disable? Yes - through cookie preferences or browser settings

Cookie Names:

• _ga, _gid, _gat - Google Analytics
• mp_* - Mixpanel
• hmapp_analytics - Our analytics

Opt-Out:

• Use our cookie preference center
• Install Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Adjust browser settings

2.3 Functional Cookies

Purpose: Remember your preferences and provide enhanced features

What They Remember:

• Language and region preferences
• Dietary filters and restrictions
• Favorite Sellers and meals
• Recently viewed items
• Shopping cart contents
• Interface customizations (dark mode, text size)

Duration: Up to 1 year

Can You Disable? Yes, but may affect functionality

Cookie Names:

• hmapp_lang - Language preference
• hmapp_region - Region/location
• hmapp_prefs - General preferences
• hmapp_cart - Shopping cart data
• hmapp_favorites - Saved favorites

2.4 Advertising and Marketing Cookies

Purpose: Deliver relevant ads and measure ad effectiveness

What They Track:

• Pages visited and products viewed
• Ads clicked and conversions
• Interaction with marketing emails
• Social media interactions

Third-Party Services:

• Facebook Pixel
• Google Ads
• TikTok Pixel
• Twitter Pixel
• LinkedIn Insight Tag
• Retargeting platforms

Duration: Up to 2 years

Can You Disable? Yes - highly recommended if you prefer not to receive targeted ads

Cookie Names:

• _fbp - Facebook Pixel
• _gcl_* - Google Ads
• hmapp_ads - Our advertising
• Various third-party cookies

Opt-Out:

• Use our cookie preference center
• Visit NAI Opt-Out: http://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Visit DAA Opt-Out: http://optout.aboutads.info/
• Adjust social media ad settings
• Use browser ad blockers (may affect functionality)

2.5 Social Media Cookies

Purpose: Enable social media features and track engagement

Features:

• "Share" buttons for social media
• Social login (Sign in with Google, Facebook)
• Social media widgets and feeds

Third Parties:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Google
• LinkedIn

Duration: Varies (set by social media platforms)

Can You Disable? Yes, but social features won't work

Note: Social media platforms may track you even if you don't interact with their features on our Platform. Review their privacy policies for details.

3. How We Use Cookies

3.1 Essential Platform Functions

• Authenticate users and maintain login sessions
• Remember items in shopping cart
• Process orders and payments
• Prevent fraudulent activity
• Balance load across servers
• Ensure security and integrity

3.2 Improve User Experience

• Remember your preferences
• Personalize content and recommendations
• Provide language-specific content
• Show relevant search results
• Enable location-based features

3.3 Analyze and Optimize

• Understand how users navigate the Platform
• Identify popular features and content
• Detect and fix bugs and errors
• Test new features (A/B testing)
• Measure performance and loading times
• Generate usage statistics and reports

3.4 Marketing and Advertising

• Show relevant ads on our Platform
• Display our ads on other websites (retargeting)
• Measure ad effectiveness
• Track conversions and ROI
• Segment audiences for targeted campaigns
• Prevent ad fraud

3.5 Communication

• Track email open rates and clicks
• Optimize email campaigns
• Personalize notifications
• Measure engagement with messages

4. Third-Party Cookies

4.1 Third-Party Services

We use third-party services that may set their own cookies:

Analytics:

• Google Analytics
• Mixpanel
• Amplitude

Advertising:

• Google Ads
• Facebook Ads
• Twitter Ads
• LinkedIn Ads

Payment Processing:

• Stripe
• PayPal

Customer Support:

• Intercom
• Zendesk

Social Media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Other:

• Google Maps (location services)
• CDN providers (content delivery)
• Email service providers

4.2 Third-Party Privacy Policies

Third parties have their own privacy policies and cookie practices:

• Google: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/en/privacy
• Stripe: https://stripe.com/privacy
• PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/privacy

We are not responsible for third-party practices. Review their policies for details.

4.3 Cross-Site Tracking

Some third parties may track your activity across multiple websites:

• Advertising networks
• Analytics providers
• Social media platforms

How to Opt Out:

• Use our cookie preference center
• Visit NAI: http://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Visit DAA: http://optout.aboutads.info/
• Use browser privacy features
• Install privacy-focused browser extensions

5. Managing Cookie Preferences

5.1 Cookie Preference Center

Access: Click "Cookie Settings" link in footer or Privacy Settings in your account

Options:

• Accept All: Enable all cookies
• Reject All: Disable all non-essential cookies
• Customize: Choose specific cookie categories

Categories:

• ☑️ Essential (cannot be disabled)
• ☐ Performance and Analytics
• ☐ Functional
• ☐ Advertising and Marketing
• ☐ Social Media

Save: Preferences saved and applied immediately

5.2 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Receive notification before cookies are set

How to Adjust Settings:

Google Chrome:

1. Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
2. Choose blocking option
3. Manage exceptions

Safari:

1. Preferences → Privacy
2. Choose "Block all cookies" or other options
3. Manage website data

Firefox:

1. Options → Privacy & Security
2. Choose blocking option
3. Manage exceptions

Microsoft Edge:

1. Settings → Cookies and site permissions
2. Choose blocking option
3. Manage exceptions

Note: Blocking all cookies may prevent you from using the Platform.

5.3 Mobile Devices

iOS:

1. Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
2. Toggle "Block All Cookies" or "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking"

Android:

1. Chrome app → Settings → Site Settings → Cookies
2. Choose blocking option

App Settings:

• Open Home Meal App → Settings → Privacy → Advertising
• Disable personalized ads
• Adjust tracking permissions

5.4 Opt-Out Tools

Industry Opt-Out Pages:

• NAI Opt-Out: http://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• DAA Opt-Out: http://optout.aboutads.info/
• Your Online Choices (EU): http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/

Browser Extensions:

• Privacy Badger (EFF)
• uBlock Origin
• Ghostery
• Disconnect

Mobile:

• iOS: Settings → Privacy → Advertising → Limit Ad Tracking
• Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization

6. Do Not Track (DNT)

Currently, our Platform does not respond to "Do Not Track" signals from browsers. There is no industry consensus on how to interpret DNT signals.

We may implement DNT support in the future as standards evolve.

7. Cookie Retention

How Long Cookies Last:

Session Cookies:

• Deleted when you close browser
• Used for temporary functions (shopping cart)

Persistent Cookies:

• Remain until expiration or manual deletion
• Duration varies: 30 days to 2 years
• Used for preferences and analytics

Specific Durations:

• Authentication: 30 days
• Preferences: 1 year
• Analytics: 2 years (Google Analytics default)
• Advertising: Up to 2 years

Deleting Cookies:

• Clear browser cookies manually anytime
• Most browsers have "Clear browsing data" option
• Can specify time range (last hour, last day, all time)

8. Updates to Cookie Policy

8.1 Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• New cookies or technologies
• Changes in regulations
• Platform improvements
• User feedback

8.2 Notification

Material changes will be communicated via:

• Email to registered users
• Prominent notice on Platform
• Updated "Last Updated" date
• Cookie consent banner (if required)

8.3 Acceptance

Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance. If you don't agree, adjust your cookie preferences or stop using the Platform.

9. Legal Basis for Cookies

9.1 GDPR (European Union)

Under GDPR, we process cookies based on:

Essential Cookies: Legitimate interest (necessary for Platform)

Non-Essential Cookies: Consent (you must opt in)

You can withdraw consent anytime through cookie preferences.

9.2 ePrivacy Directive

We comply with EU ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law):

• Obtain consent before setting non-essential cookies
• Provide clear information about cookies
• Allow users to withdraw consent
• Respect user choices

9.3 CCPA (California)

Under CCPA, cookies may constitute "selling personal information." You can opt out via:

• "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link
• Cookie preference center
• Limiting cookies to essential only

9.4 Other Jurisdictions

We comply with cookie laws in all jurisdictions where we operate. Requirements may vary by location.

10. Contact Us

10.1 Questions About Cookies

For questions or concerns about our use of cookies:

Email: privacy@home-meal.website Subject Line: "Cookie Policy Inquiry"

Mail: Home Meal App - Privacy Team [Your Address]

Phone: +1 (555) 123-4567

10.2 Data Protection Officer

For GDPR-related cookie inquiries: Email: dpo@home-meal.website

10.3 Response Time

We aim to respond within 14 business days.

11. Additional Resources

11.1 Learn More About Cookies

• All About Cookies: http://www.allaboutcookies.org/
• Cookie Information (EU): http://ec.europa.eu/ipg/basics/legal/cookies/
• ICO Cookie Guide: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-pecr/cookies-and-similar-technologies/

11.2 Privacy Tools

• Privacy Badger: https://privacybadger.org/
• Browser Privacy Settings: Check your browser's help documentation
• Mobile Privacy Settings: Check your device settings

11.3 Related Policies

• Privacy Policy: PRIVACY_POLICY.md
• Terms and Conditions: TERMS_AND_CONDITIONS_GENERAL.md

We are committed to transparency about our use of cookies. This policy explains how cookies enhance your experience while respecting your privacy choices.

To manage your cookie preferences, click "Cookie Settings" in the footer or adjust your browser settings.

Effective Date: January 17, 2026 Version: 1.0