Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Risehat (“Risehat,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies - such as web beacons, pixels, tags, and local storage - to recognize you when you use or access our web application, website, and related services (collectively, the “Service”).

This Policy describes what these technologies are, why we use them, and how you can control or manage their use, including how to withdraw or modify your consent where applicable.

By accessing or using the Service, you agree to the use of cookies and similar technologies as described in this Cookie Policy, subject to your choices and, where required by law, your explicit consent through our cookie banner or consent management platform (CMP). If you do not accept the use of cookies, you should adjust your browser or device settings or refrain from using the Service.

Please note: Consent requirements for cookies vary by jurisdiction. For users located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom (UK), Switzerland, and other regions with similar laws, certain cookies (other than those that are strictly necessary) will only be placed with your explicit consent.

This Policy applies to all users of the Service, regardless of geographic location, and covers both Risehat's use of cookies and the use of cookies by integrated third-party service providers that assist in operating, analyzing, and securing the Service.

For additional information about how we handle personal data collected through cookies, please review our Privacy Policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed and stored on your device (such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device) when you visit or use a website, web application, mobile application, or online service. They are widely used to make websites and apps work more efficiently, enhance user experience, and provide information to the site or app owner.

Cookies perform a variety of functions, including enabling you to stay logged in, remembering your preferences, securing the Service, and helping us analyze how the Service is used.

Cookies may be categorized as:

• Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire and are deleted when you close your browser or app. They are typically used to remember your activity during a single session (such as maintaining login status or preserving filters you’ve selected).
• Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a specified duration or until manually deleted. These are used to remember you and your preferences between sessions, enabling faster and more personalized experiences.

In addition to cookies, we may also use similar technologies to achieve the same purposes, including:

• Local storage objects: Used by websites and apps to store information locally on your device.
• Web beacons and tracking pixels: Small graphic images or snippets of code that allow us or our partners to understand user activity, deliver or measure marketing campaigns, and improve the Service.
• Software development kits (SDKs) and device identifiers: Used in apps to perform similar functions to cookies.

Cookies and similar technologies may be:

• First-party cookies: Set by Risehat directly.
• Third-party cookies: Set by third-party providers whose services are integrated into or used in connection with the Service, such as payment processors, analytics providers, or scheduling tools.

Cookie purposes may include:

• Strictly necessary: Essential for the basic operation of the Service.
• Performance and functionality: Enhance performance or remember your preferences.
• Analytics: Help us understand how the Service is used.
• Marketing and personalization: Deliver relevant content or advertisements (if applicable).

3. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies for the following purposes:

A. Essential and Functional Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the core functionality of the Service and cannot be disabled. They enable:

• Secure login and authentication.
• Session management and maintaining your login state.
• Page navigation and access to secure areas.
• Remembering your settings and preferences (e.g., language, saved filters, visibility settings).
• Enabling features such as profile creation, connecting, messaging, and scheduling.

Without these cookies, certain parts of the Service may not function properly or at all.

Consent: Essential cookies are exempt from consent requirements in most jurisdictions.

B. Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how the Service is used and improve user experience. They allow us to:

• Monitor how users navigate and interact with different parts of the Service.
• Analyze aggregated usage data to identify trends, popular features, and potential areas for improvement.
• Detect and troubleshoot technical errors or performance issues.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of new features or design changes.

We use third-party analytics providers, such as Mixpanel, to collect non-personally identifiable usage data for these purposes. These third parties may use their own cookies and privacy policies, which we encourage you to review.

Consent: In jurisdictions where required (including the EEA, UK, and some U.S. states), these cookies are used only with your consent. You can withdraw or modify your consent at any time.

C. Security Cookies

Security cookies help us:

• Detect and prevent fraudulent activity and unauthorized access.
• Maintain the integrity and security of user accounts and the Service.
• Protect the Service against spam, abuse, and cyber threats.

Consent: Some security cookies may be considered essential and exempt from consent. Others may require consent depending on their function and jurisdiction.

D. Marketing and Communications Cookies

Marketing and communications cookies can be used to:

• Deliver tailored content or promotional messages.
• Measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns or advertisements.
• Track email marketing engagement (e.g., whether emails are opened or links are clicked).

Any marketing or communications cookies will only be used with your consent where legally required. You may withdraw or modify your consent at any time through your device settings or provided opt-out mechanisms.

Cookie Lifespan:

The duration that cookies remain on your device varies. Session cookies expire when you close your browser or app. Persistent cookies remain for a defined period or until you delete them manually. For third-party cookies, retention periods are determined by the third-party providers.

4. Types of Cookies We May Use

The following categories of cookies and similar technologies may be used in connection with the Service:

A. Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the Service to function properly and cannot be disabled. They enable:

• Secure login and authentication.
• Account registration and verification.
• Page navigation and access to protected areas.
• Session management and maintaining user state (e.g., remembering if you are logged in).
• Enforcing security features and fraud prevention.

These cookies are typically session-based but may include persistent cookies for remembered login sessions. Consent is not required for these cookies.

B. Preferences Cookies (Functionality Cookies)

Preferences cookies allow the Service to:

• Remember your settings and preferences across sessions (e.g., language, status, filter selections).
• Retain your scheduling preferences and linked calendar settings.
• Offer a more personalized and convenient user experience.

These cookies are usually persistent and may be set by Risehat or authorized third parties.

Consent: Where legally required, these cookies are used only with your consent, which can be withdrawn at any time.

C. Analytics Cookies (Performance Cookies)

Analytics cookies help us understand how users interact with the Service and allow us to improve functionality. They:

• Collect aggregated usage data and performance metrics.
• Monitor user navigation patterns, feature usage, and engagement levels.
• Identify technical issues or areas for Service improvement.
• Support A/B testing and user experience research.

Examples of third-party analytics providers include Mixpanel. Data collected does not personally identify users.

Consent: These cookies are used only with your consent where legally required, and you may withdraw your consent at any time.

D. Security Cookies

Security cookies are used to:

• Protect user accounts from unauthorized access.
• Detect and prevent fraudulent activity and abuse.
• Monitor and mitigate security threats or suspicious behavior.

These may include both first-party and third-party cookies integrated for fraud detection and account security purposes.

Consent: Certain security cookies may be essential and exempt from consent; others may require consent depending on their purpose and jurisdiction.

E. Marketing Cookies (If Applicable)

Marketing cookies may be used to:

• Personalize marketing communications and promotional content.
• Track the performance of marketing campaigns or advertisements.
• Analyze user engagement with emails or promotional messages (e.g., open rates and click-throughs).

Consent: Marketing cookies will only be used where legally required consent has been provided. You can withdraw your consent at any time through your device settings or provided opt-out options.

F. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are placed directly by Risehat (“first-party cookies”), while others are set by third-party service providers whose tools are integrated into the Service (“third-party cookies”), including payment processors, scheduling platforms, and analytics providers.

Third-party cookies and similar technologies are subject to the privacy and cookie policies of those third parties.

Cookie Duration Reminder:

As explained in Section 3, cookie durations vary depending on the purpose and type. Session cookies expire when you close your browser or app. Persistent cookies remain for a defined period or until you delete them manually.

5. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies and similar technologies on our Service are placed and managed by third-party service providers that assist with specific functions, integrations, or analytics. These third-party cookies may collect data about your use of the Service for purposes determined either by Risehat (acting as the data controller) or by the third parties themselves (as independent controllers, where applicable).

Examples of third-party services that may set cookies through the Service include:

• Stripe: For payment processing, security, and checkout optimization.
• Mixpanel: For traffic monitoring, usage reporting, and Service performance analytics.
• Calendly / Google Calendar: For scheduling optimization and availability management.
• Sendbird: For chat, messaging, and communication functionality.

Third-party cookies may collect information such as:

• Device and browser type.
• IP address and general geographic location.
• Usage data, including page views, feature engagement, and transaction activity.
• Authentication and session information.

Please note:

• Third-party cookies are subject to the privacy policies and practices of the respective third-party providers. We do not control how these parties use the data they collect through cookies, nor are we responsible for their privacy or data security practices.
• Risehat takes reasonable steps to ensure that third-party service providers maintain appropriate privacy and security standards and comply with applicable data protection laws.
• The list of third-party providers and the types of cookies they use may change without notice as our Service evolves.
• In jurisdictions where legally required (such as the EEA, UK, and certain U.S. states), non-essential third-party cookies will only be used with your explicit consent, which can be withdrawn at any time.
• By using the Service and providing consent where applicable, you agree to the use of third-party cookies as described in this Policy and subject to the applicable third-party privacy policies.

We strongly encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services directly to understand their data collection, use, and retention practices.

7. Your Choices and Controls

You have control over how cookies and similar technologies are used in connection with the Service. Depending on your location and the applicable legal requirements, you may exercise the following options:

A. Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to:

• Block or disable all or specific types of cookies.
• Receive notifications when a cookie is being placed on your device.
• Delete cookies that have already been stored.

Instructions for managing cookies can typically be found in your browser’s Help or Settings menu. Please note that settings vary by browser and device..

B. Device Settings

Mobile devices and operating systems may offer additional privacy settings to manage cookies and similar tracking technologies within mobile applications. Refer to your device’s privacy or security settings for available controls.

C. Cookie Consent Manager (Where Legally Required)

In jurisdictions where required by law (e.g., the European Economic Area and United Kingdom), we provide a cookie consent banner or manager that allows you to:

• Accept or reject non-essential cookies.
• Change or withdraw your consent to non-essential cookies at any time by revisiting your cookie preferences or settings.
• Essential cookies, which are necessary for the operation and security of the Service, cannot be disabled or withdrawn.

If available, you may also use the “reset preferences” function in our cookie banner or manager to change your selections.

D. Consequences of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable or refuse cookies:

• Some features or areas of the Service may not function properly.
• Certain settings or preferences may not be saved between sessions.
• You may experience a reduced or less personalized user experience.

Additionally, changing your cookie preferences does not automatically delete previously set cookies. You may need to manually delete cookies stored on your device using your browser or device settings.

7. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update, modify, or revise this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies and similar technologies we use, changes in the Service, or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons.

If we make material changes (for example, introducing new categories of cookies or changing the purposes for which cookies are used), we will notify you by one or more of the following methods:

• Updating the effective date at the top of this Policy.
• Posting a notice within the Service (such as in the app, website, or login area).
• Sending an email to the address associated with your account.
• Or by other reasonable means.

Changes will become effective upon posting unless a later date is specified.

Your continued use of the Service after the updated Cookie Policy has been posted constitutes your acceptance of the changes, except where explicit consent is required by law. In jurisdictions where consent is legally required for certain changes (such as introducing new marketing cookies), we will seek your renewed consent before implementing the changes.

Please note: We reserve the right to update the cookies and similar technologies we use without revising this entire Policy each time, provided that changes are consistent with the purposes described herein. Non-material updates (such as adding a new third-party analytics provider or adjusting cookie names) may occur without advance notice.

It is your responsibility to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about any updates. Risehat shall not be liable for any loss or inconvenience arising from your failure to review or comply with updates to this Cookie Policy.