1.1 Our Website (www.thegrade.com) uses cookies and similar technologies. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our Website and also allows us to improve our Website.
1.2 Cookies are small text files that are downloaded to your device (e.g., your computer or smartphone). Cookies contain uniquely generated references which are used to distinguish you from other users. They allow information gathered on one webpage to be stored until it is needed for use on another, allowing our Website to provide you with a personalized experience (like remembering your favorites) and provide us with statistics about how you interact with our (and sometimes third-party) Website.
1.3 Cookies are not harmful to your devices (like a virus or malicious code) but some individuals prefer not to share their information (for example, to avoid targeted advertising).
2.1 Session vs. persistent cookies: cookies have a limited lifespan. Cookies which only last a short time or end when you close your browser are called session cookies. Cookies which remain on your device for longer are called persistent cookies (these are the type of cookies that allow websites to remember your details when you log back onto them).
2.2 First party vs. third party cookies: cookies placed on your device by the website owner are called first party cookies. When the website owner uses other businesses’ technology to help them manage and monitor their website, the cookies added by the other business are called third party cookies.
2.3 Categories of cookies: cookies can be grouped by what they help the website or website owner do:
Necessary cookies are cookies which help the website to run properly (when they are strictly necessary cookies it means their only function is to help the website work);
Performance/functionality cookies help a website owner understand and analyze how a user uses a website, in order to personalize content and remember user preferences;
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, etc;
Marketing/advertising cookies tailor online adverts to reflect the content you have previously browsed and help inform companies about your interests so they can show you relevant adverts.
3.1 We use cookies:
a. to track how visitors use our Website;
b. to record whether you have seen specific messages we display on our Website;
c. to keep you signed into our Website;
d. where we post content and links to content, we use cookies to capture and analyze information such as the number of views and shares.
4.2 We can only use cookies with your permission (you will be prompted by a message when you first visit our Website, also known as a cookie banner, where you can choose to accept or decline our cookies).
4.3 You can update your cookies settings and permissions on our Website by the first time you visit our site we will show you a cookie notice that allows you to reject the use of cookies.
4.4 You can choose to decline cookies but if you turn off necessary cookies, some pages and functions on our Website may not work properly. You can also manage cookies through your browser settings or device settings (your user manual should contain additional information). You may wish to visit allaboutcookies.org to find out how to disable cookies on different browsers.
4.5 You can also delete cookies and opt-out of being tracked by certain cookies directly with the relevant third-parties (for example, you can disable Google Analytics on their website).
4.6 If you have any questions about our cookies, or how we otherwise use your personal data, please visit our Privacy Notice for further details.