Cookie Policy

Last Updated: June 15, 2023 | Effective immediately

Introduction

Welcome to AerlertWeather's Cookie Policy. This document explains how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and mobile applications. By using our services, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this policy. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you access our website, helping us provide you with a better, faster, and more secure experience.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the website owners. Cookies perform various functions, such as remembering your preferences, analyzing how you use our site, and enabling certain features. Without cookies, many website functions would not work properly, and your browsing experience would be less personalized and efficient.

How We Use Cookies

At AerlertWeather, we use cookies for several essential purposes:

  1. Authentication: To identify you when you log in to our services and keep you logged in as you navigate our site.
  2. Preferences: To remember your settings and preferences, such as your location, language, and display options.
  3. Security: To protect your account and our services from malicious activities and unauthorized access.
  4. Analytics: To understand how visitors interact with our website and improve our services accordingly.
  5. Advertising: To deliver relevant weather-related advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our campaigns.

Types of Cookies We Use

1. Essential Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. Without these cookies, our website cannot operate effectively. Essential cookies don't store any personally identifiable information and are always active, as they don't require user consent under most privacy regulations.

2. Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Performance cookies help us know which pages are most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.

3. Functionality Cookies

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all of these services may not function properly. These cookies remember choices you make (such as your location or preferred units) to provide a more personalized experience.

4. Targeting Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other sites. They work by uniquely identifying your browser and device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. These cookies are optional and require your explicit consent.

Detailed Cookie Information

Below is a comprehensive list of the specific cookies we use on AerlertWeather:

1. Session Cookies

These temporary cookies remain in your browser's cookie file until you leave the site. They enable you to carry information across pages of our site without having to re-enter information. Session cookies are essential for maintaining your logged-in status and preserving form data as you navigate through our weather maps and forecasts. They are automatically deleted when you close your browser.

2. Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain in your browser's cookie file for a set period (usually 30 days to 2 years) after you leave our site. They remember your preferences for future visits, such as your preferred temperature scale (Fahrenheit/Celsius) or map display settings. Persistent cookies help us provide you with a consistent experience across multiple browsing sessions and reduce the need to reconfigure your preferences each visit.

3. First-Party Cookies

These cookies are set directly by AerlertWeather and are used exclusively by our services. They include cookies for user authentication, session management, and preference storage. First-party cookies are generally more secure and privacy-friendly than third-party cookies because they can only be read by our domain. We use these to maintain critical functionality of our weather services.

4. Third-Party Cookies

These cookies are set by domains other than AerlertWeather, typically by our partners and service providers. They include analytics cookies (like Google Analytics) and advertising cookies. Third-party cookies enable features like social media integration, advertising campaign measurement, and advanced analytics. We carefully vet all third-party services to ensure they meet our privacy standards.

Cookie Duration

Cookies on our website have varying lifespans:

The expiration period for each cookie is set based on its specific purpose. Essential cookies typically have shorter durations, while preference cookies may persist longer to maintain your settings across visits. We regularly review cookie durations to balance functionality with privacy considerations.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for controlling cookies:

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to manage cookie preferences through their settings. You can typically find these controls in the "Options" or "Preferences" menu of your browser. Common options include:

Note that blocking all cookies may significantly impact your ability to use our weather services effectively, as many features rely on basic cookie functionality.

Opt-Out Tools

For advertising cookies, you can use industry opt-out tools:

These tools allow you to opt out of targeted advertising from participating companies while still allowing non-targeted ads. Opt-outs are typically stored in cookies, so if you clear your cookies, you may need to renew your preferences.

Our Cookie Consent Tool

The cookie consent banner at the bottom of our website allows you to:

  1. Accept all cookies (essential and optional)
  2. Decline optional cookies (accepting only essential ones)
  3. Customize your cookie preferences

Your preferences will be remembered for future visits, though you can change them at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we'll revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. Significant changes will be communicated through prominent notices on our website or via email for registered users. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our cookie practices.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact our Data Protection Officer:

For general support questions, please use our standard contact channels listed on the Contact Us page. Privacy-specific inquiries will receive a response within 14 business days as required by GDPR and other privacy regulations.