Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

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

Cookies allow websites to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze how you use the website
• Improve website functionality and performance
• Deliver personalized content and advertising

2. How We Use Cookies

Bariatric SurgeryHub ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website at bariatricsurgeryhub.com (the "Site").

By using our Site, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, you should disable them following the instructions in Section 6 below.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are essential for the Site to function properly and cannot be disabled. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as:

• Navigating the Site
• Filling out forms
• Setting privacy preferences

Examples: Session management, security, form validation

Duration: Session (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent (remain for a set period)

3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Site by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the Site's performance and user experience.

What we track:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• How you arrived at our Site (referring website)
• Links you click
• Scrolling behavior and interactions
• Device and browser information
• General location (city/country level)

Tools we use:

• Google Analytics 4: Web analytics service that tracks website traffic and user behavior
• Microsoft Clarity: User behavior analytics tool that provides heatmaps and session recordings
• Vercel Analytics: Performance monitoring and web vitals tracking

Duration: Up to 2 years

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as:

• Remembering your preferences (e.g., city selection, procedure interests)
• Saving form progress
• Remembering what you've already seen (e.g., popup dismissals)

Duration: Up to 1 year

3.4 Targeting/Advertising Cookies (Future Use)

Currently, we do NOT use targeting or advertising cookies. If we implement these in the future, we will:

• Update this Cookie Policy
• Obtain your explicit consent before placing advertising cookies
• Provide clear opt-out options

Advertising cookies would be used to show you relevant ads based on your interests and browsing behavior.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our Site are placed by third-party services we use. We do not control these third-party cookies, and they are subject to the privacy policies of the respective third parties.

Third-Party Services and Their Cookies:

Google Analytics

• Purpose: Website traffic analysis and user behavior tracking
• Cookies used: _ga, _ga_*, _gid, _gat
• Duration: 1 day to 2 years
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
• Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Microsoft Clarity

• Purpose: User behavior analytics, heatmaps, and session recordings
• Cookies used: _clck, _clsk, CLID, ANONCHK, MR, MUID, SM
• Duration: 1 day to 1 year
• Privacy Policy: Microsoft Privacy Statement

Google Fonts

• Purpose: Delivering web fonts for improved typography
• Note: May collect usage data and IP address
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

5. Detailed Cookie List

Below is a comprehensive list of cookies currently used on our Site:

6. How to Control and Delete Cookies

You have the right to choose whether to accept or reject cookies. You can control cookies in several ways:

6.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies only
• Clear cookies when you close your browser
• Set exceptions for specific websites

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
• Brave: Settings → Shields → Cookies

Note: Blocking or deleting cookies may impact your experience on our Site and limit some functionality.

6.2 Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of specific tracking services:

• Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Opt-Out Tool
• Digital Advertising Alliance: DAA Opt-Out Tool

6.3 Mobile Devices

On mobile devices, you can control tracking through:

• iOS: Settings → Privacy → Tracking (disable "Allow Apps to Request to Track")
• Android: Settings → Google → Ads (opt out of personalized ads)

6.4 Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. However, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Currently, our Site does not respond to DNT signals.

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable or block cookies:

• Essential functionality may break: Some features may not work properly (e.g., form submissions, preferences)
• Loss of convenience: You may need to re-enter information on each visit
• Limited analytics: We won't be able to track usage patterns to improve the Site
• Degraded experience: The Site may load more slowly or display incorrectly

You can still browse the Site with cookies disabled, but your experience may be impacted.

8. Cookie Consent

By using our Site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy. When you first visit our Site, you may see a cookie banner or notice informing you about our use of cookies.

If you do not wish to accept cookies, you should:

• Adjust your browser settings to block cookies
• Use private/incognito browsing mode
• Stop using the Site

9. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• Our cookie practices
• The types of cookies we use
• Third-party services we implement
• Legal or regulatory requirements

When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Notify users via email or Site notice (for significant changes)

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

10. More Information

For more information about cookies and how they work:

• All About Cookies
• Your Online Choices
• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

11. Contact Us

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

12. Related Policies

This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Privacy Policy - How we collect and use your personal information
• Terms of Service - Terms governing your use of the Site
• Medical Disclaimer - Important health information disclaimers