Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help sites remember your session, keep you signed in, and understand how features are used. We also use similar technologies such as local storage and session storage where needed for the same purposes.

2. How We Use Cookies

GSM uses cookies to operate the platform securely and reliably. The main uses are: keeping you authenticated after sign-in; protecting routes such as the dashboard and onboarding wizard; remembering preferences during a session; and supporting payment and identity-verification flows.

We do not use cookies to sell your personal information. Google Analytics 4 is disabled by default and is loaded only after you accept analytics cookies through our consent banner.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Strictly necessary cookies: required for core functionality. Without these, you cannot sign in, complete onboarding, access your dashboard, or use checkout. These include authentication and session cookies set by our auth provider (Supabase) and security-related cookies that help prevent unauthorized access.

Functional cookies: remember choices you make during a session (for example, wizard progress or UI state) so the experience works as expected. These improve usability but are not strictly required for every page load.

Third-party service cookies: when you use certain features, our partners may set their own cookies. For example, Stripe may use cookies during subscription checkout, and our identity-verification partner (Smile Identity) may use cookies when you complete KYC in a hosted verification flow.

Analytics cookies: if you accept them, Google Analytics 4 collects information about pages visited, navigation, and basic browser and device usage. Google sets first-party cookies named _ga and _ga_<container-id> to distinguish users and preserve session state. We use this information to understand and improve GlobalScoutMe, not for advertising.

4. Cookie Duration

Session cookies expire when you close your browser or end your session. Persistent cookies remain for a set period or until you delete them — for example, cookies that keep you signed in between visits until you sign out or they expire.

Exact retention periods depend on the cookie’s purpose and the provider that sets it. Authentication cookies typically last for the duration of your login session or a limited renewal period configured for security.

Google documents a default expiration of up to two years for the _ga and _ga_<container-id> cookies, subject to our configuration and browser limits. Your consent choice is stored locally for up to six months, after which we ask again.

5. Your Choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings: block all cookies, delete existing cookies, or receive alerts before a cookie is stored. Blocking strictly necessary cookies will prevent you from signing in or using protected parts of GSM.

To sign out and clear your active session, use the sign-out option in the app or dashboard. You can also clear site data for globalscout.me in your browser.

Use the Cookie preferences control to accept or reject analytics cookies and to change or withdraw your choice later. Withdrawing consent disables Google Analytics, clears recognizable Google Analytics cookies on this site, and reloads the page when needed. It does not retroactively delete data already processed.

6. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” signal. Because there is no consistent industry standard for responding to these signals, GSM does not currently alter its practices based on Do Not Track settings. You can still manage cookies directly through your browser as described above.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy when we change how cookies are used or when we add new features or partners. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. Material changes may also be communicated through the platform where appropriate.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, contact us at contact@globalscoutme.com.