Cookie Policy

Last Updated: January 19, 2026

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help improve functionality, security, and user experience.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for core functionality, including authentication and session management (Clerk). These cookies are required for the service to work and cannot be disabled.
• Functional Cookies: Enhance user experience, such as remembering settings, preferences, or your last meet viewed.
• Security Cookies: Help detect and prevent security threats, including protecting against unauthorized access and fraudulent activity.

We do NOT use:

• Advertising or tracking cookies
• Third-party analytics cookies
• Cross-site tracking cookies

3. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies

• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by SwimMeet Pro (swimmeet.pro) and used only for our operations.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services that provide functionality such as authentication and payment processing.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies may be set by third-party services used in our platform, including:

• Clerk – Authentication and session management (essential for service operation)
• LemonSqueezy – Payment processing and fraud prevention (only during checkout)

These third parties may collect and process data in accordance with their respective privacy policies:

• Clerk Privacy Policy: https://clerk.com/legal/privacy
• LemonSqueezy Privacy Policy: https://www.lemonsqueezy.com/privacy

5. How Long Cookies Are Stored

Cookies may remain on your device for different durations:

• Session Cookies: Expire when you close your browser. Used for temporary session management.
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted. Used for remembering login status and preferences.

Specific Cookie Durations:

• Authentication cookies (Clerk): Up to 30 days
• Preference cookies: Up to 1 year
• Security cookies: Up to 90 days

6. Legal Basis for Using Cookies (GDPR Compliance)

For users in the EU and UK, we process cookies based on:

• Consent: For non-essential functional cookies (you can control these in your browser)
• Legitimate Interest: For essential cookies necessary for security or service operation (these cannot be disabled without preventing service use)

By using SwimMeet Pro, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.

7. How to Manage & Opt-Out of Cookies

Browser Settings:

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings:

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
• Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

Important Note: Blocking essential cookies will affect core functionality and may prevent you from using certain features, including:

• Logging into your account
• Managing meets
• Accessing secure areas of the service

Third-Party Opt-Out:

For third-party tracking cookies (if applicable), users can opt out via:

• The Network Advertising Initiative's opt-out page: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• The Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out page: https://optout.aboutads.info/

Note: SwimMeet Pro does not currently use third-party advertising or tracking cookies, so these opt-out tools are not necessary for our service.

8. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use:

Local Storage:

• Purpose: Stores user preferences, application settings, and temporary data
• Duration: Persists until manually cleared or until expiration
• Control: Can be cleared through browser settings (similar to cookies)
• Examples: Meet view preferences, UI settings, draft meet data

Session Storage:

• Purpose: Stores temporary data during your browsing session
• Duration: Deleted when you close your browser tab
• Examples: Form data, temporary meet selections

Web Beacons & Tracking Pixels:

• Currently NOT in use: We do not currently use web beacons or tracking pixels
• Future Use: If implemented, we will update this policy and notify users

These technologies operate similarly to cookies and can be managed through browser settings.

9. Cookie Consent

For users in regions requiring cookie consent (such as the EU and UK):

• We display a cookie banner on your first visit
• You can accept, reject, or customize cookie preferences
• Essential cookies will be used regardless of your choice (necessary for service operation)
• Your preferences are stored and will be remembered for future visits

How to Change Your Cookie Preferences:

You can change your cookie consent at any time by:

• Clearing your browser cookies (will trigger the banner again on next visit)
• Contacting support@swimmeet.pro to reset your preferences
• Using browser settings to block specific cookies

10. Desktop Agent & Local Data

Our desktop agent software stores minimal data locally on your computer:

• Log files: Technical logs for troubleshooting (retained for 30 days)
• Configuration files: Settings for timing system integration
• Temporary cache: Timing data awaiting upload

This local data:

• Is not considered "cookies" under privacy laws
• Is stored only on your local device
• Is encrypted when transmitted to SwimMeet Pro servers
• Can be deleted by uninstalling the agent

11. Do Not Track (DNT)

We currently do not respond to "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals sent by browsers, as:

• No industry-wide standard has been established for DNT
• Our minimal cookie usage is limited to essential functionality
• We do not track users across websites

If DNT standards are established in the future, we will update our practices accordingly.

12. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this policy periodically to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• New legal requirements
• Updates to third-party services
• User feedback

Notification of Changes:

• Significant changes will be communicated via email or website notice
• The "Last Updated" date at the top will be updated
• Continued use after changes indicates acceptance

13. Contact Information

For any cookie-related inquiries, contact us at:

• Email: support@swimmeet.pro
• Mail: Bitmule Tech LLC, 46 Irving, Eugene, Oregon 97404, USA
• Response Time: Within 2-5 business days

Effective Date: January 19, 2026

Policy Version: 1.0