1. Introduction to Cookies and Similar Technologies

This Cookie Policy explains how Excibico ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our AI-powered agricultural asset management simulation platform and related websites (collectively, the "Service"). This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer, tablet, smartphone, or other device when you visit our website or use our platform. They are widely used to make websites and applications work more efficiently, provide information to website owners, and enhance user experience.

By continuing to use our Service, you consent to our use of cookies and similar technologies as described in this policy. If you do not agree with our use of cookies, you should adjust your browser settings or discontinue use of our Service.

We are committed to transparency about our data collection practices and provide you with meaningful choices about how cookies are used in connection with your use of our agricultural training platform.

2. Types of Cookies and Technologies We Use

We use various types of cookies and similar technologies to provide, secure, and improve our Service. Each type serves specific purposes in delivering our agricultural training platform:

Essential and Functional Cookies

• Authentication Cookies: Keep you securely logged in to your training account and maintain your session across different pages and features
• Security Cookies: Protect against fraudulent activity, unauthorized access attempts, and maintain platform security integrity
• Load Balancing Cookies: Ensure optimal platform performance by distributing user requests across our server infrastructure
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings, customizations, language preferences, and accessibility options
• Progress Tracking Cookies: Save your training progress, simulation states, and learning pathway positions
• Feature Functionality Cookies: Enable specific platform features such as interactive simulations, collaborative tools, and personalized dashboards

Analytics and Performance Cookies

• Usage Analytics Cookies: Track how users interact with training modules, which features are most valuable, and identify areas for improvement
• Performance Monitoring Cookies: Monitor platform performance, loading times, error rates, and system reliability metrics
• A/B Testing Cookies: Support testing of new features, interface designs, and training methodologies to optimize user experience
• Conversion Tracking Cookies: Measure the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and track user engagement with different platform features
• Heat Mapping Technologies: Understand how users navigate through our platform and interact with different interface elements

Marketing and Advertising Cookies

• Remarketing Cookies: Show relevant content and advertisements to users who have visited our platform on other websites they visit
• Social Media Integration Cookies: Enable sharing of content on social platforms and integration with professional networking sites
• Campaign Attribution Cookies: Track the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns and understand which channels drive user engagement
• Personalized Content Cookies: Deliver customized content recommendations based on your interests and professional background

3. Third-Party Cookies and Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who may set cookies on our behalf to help us provide and improve our Service. These partners are carefully selected and must comply with strict data protection requirements:

Analytics and Measurement Partners

• Google Analytics: Provides comprehensive website analytics, user behavior analysis, and performance insights to help us improve our platform
• Adobe Analytics: Advanced analytics platform for detailed user journey analysis and conversion tracking
• Hotjar: User experience analytics including heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback collection
• Mixpanel: Product analytics for tracking user engagement with specific platform features and training modules

Customer Support and Communication

• Zendesk: Customer support platform that uses cookies to maintain support ticket context and provide efficient service
• Intercom: Live chat and customer messaging platform for real-time support and user engagement
• Mailchimp: Email marketing platform for sending educational content, platform updates, and training notifications

Payment and Security Services

• Stripe: Secure payment processing with cookies for fraud prevention and transaction security
• PayPal: Alternative payment processing option with its own cookie and privacy practices
• Cloudflare: Content delivery network and security service that uses cookies for performance optimization and threat protection

Content and Infrastructure Partners

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Cloud infrastructure services that may use cookies for load balancing and performance optimization
• Vimeo: Video hosting platform for educational content delivery with cookies for playback optimization
• Microsoft Azure: Additional cloud services that may use cookies for authentication and service delivery

4. Cookie Duration and Persistence

The length of time cookies remain on your device varies depending on their type and purpose. We use both session cookies and persistent cookies:

Session Cookies

• Temporary Storage: Session cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser or end your platform session
• Security Functions: Used primarily for authentication, security, and maintaining your session state during platform use
• No Long-term Storage: These cookies do not store information on your device after your session ends

Persistent Cookies

• Authentication Cookies: Typically expire after 30 days of inactivity to balance security with user convenience
• Preference Cookies: Usually stored for up to 1 year to remember your settings and customizations
• Analytics Cookies: Generally expire after 2 years and are used for long-term usage pattern analysis
• Marketing Cookies: Vary in duration from 30 days to 2 years depending on the specific marketing purpose
• Performance Cookies: Typically stored for 1 year to track platform performance and user experience over time

Cookie Refresh and Updates

• Automatic Renewal: Some cookies are automatically renewed each time you visit our platform to maintain their effectiveness
• Manual Deletion: You can manually delete cookies at any time through your browser settings
• Expiration Management: We regularly review and update cookie expiration periods to ensure they align with their intended purposes

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences and Choices

You have several options for controlling how cookies are used on your device. We respect your choices and provide multiple ways to manage your cookie preferences:

Browser-Based Cookie Controls

• Cookie Blocking: Most web browsers allow you to block all cookies, though this may significantly impact platform functionality
• Third-Party Cookie Blocking: You can specifically block third-party cookies while allowing first-party cookies from our platform
• Cookie Deletion: Regularly delete existing cookies through your browser's privacy settings
• Cookie Notifications: Set up notifications to alert you when websites attempt to set cookies
• Incognito/Private Browsing: Use private browsing modes that automatically delete cookies when you close the browser

Platform-Specific Cookie Settings

• Cookie Preference Center: Access our cookie preference center through your account settings to customize cookie categories
• Granular Controls: Choose which types of cookies to allow or block based on their purpose and functionality
• Marketing Opt-Out: Specifically opt out of marketing and advertising cookies while maintaining essential functionality
• Analytics Preferences: Control whether your usage data is included in our analytics and platform improvement efforts

Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

• Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada (DAAC): Use the DAAC opt-out tool to control interest-based advertising cookies
• Google Analytics Opt-Out: Install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on to prevent Google Analytics tracking
• Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): Use NAI's opt-out tools for behavioral advertising cookies
• Individual Service Opt-Outs: Visit the privacy settings of individual third-party services to control their cookie usage

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies on Platform Functionality

While you have the right to control cookie usage, disabling certain cookies may significantly impact your experience on our agricultural training platform:

Essential Cookie Restrictions

• Login and Authentication: Disabling authentication cookies will require you to log in repeatedly and may prevent access to secure areas
• Session Management: Without session cookies, your progress may not be saved, and you may lose work when navigating between pages
• Security Features: Security cookies are essential for protecting your account and preventing unauthorized access
• Platform Functionality: Many interactive features, simulations, and tools require cookies to function properly

Performance and Analytics Impact

• Personalization Loss: Without preference cookies, you'll lose customized settings and may need to reconfigure your experience repeatedly
• Performance Optimization: Performance cookies help us optimize loading times and platform responsiveness for your specific usage patterns
• Error Reporting: Some cookies help us identify and resolve technical issues that may affect your training experience
• Feature Development: Analytics cookies help us understand which features are most valuable and guide platform improvements

Support and Troubleshooting Challenges

• Technical Support: Our ability to provide effective technical support may be limited without access to diagnostic information
• Issue Reproduction: Troubleshooting platform issues becomes more difficult without usage data and error tracking
• Feature Testing: You may not have access to beta features or improvements that require cookie-based testing

7. Cookies and Personal Information Protection

We take the protection of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate safeguards for all cookie-related data collection and processing:

Data Minimization and Purpose Limitation

• Necessary Data Only: We only collect cookie data that is necessary for the specific purposes outlined in this policy
• Purpose Limitation: Cookie data is used only for the purposes for which it was collected and not for unrelated activities
• Retention Limits: Cookie data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill its intended purpose
• Regular Review: We regularly review our cookie practices to ensure they remain necessary and proportionate

Security and Access Controls

• Encryption: Sensitive cookie data is encrypted both in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access
• Access Restrictions: Only authorized personnel have access to cookie data, and access is logged and monitored
• Third-Party Agreements: All third-party service providers must comply with strict data protection requirements
• Regular Audits: We conduct regular security audits of our cookie practices and third-party integrations

User Rights and Control

• Transparency: We provide clear information about what cookie data is collected and how it's used
• Access Rights: You can request access to cookie data associated with your account
• Deletion Rights: You can request deletion of cookie data, subject to technical and legal limitations
• Portability: Where technically feasible, you can request cookie data in a portable format

8. Mobile Applications and Device-Specific Technologies

In addition to web-based cookies, our mobile applications and platform may use device-specific technologies that serve similar purposes:

Mobile Application Technologies

• Local Storage: Mobile apps may store data locally on your device for offline functionality and performance optimization
• Push Notification Tokens: Device tokens are used to send relevant training reminders and platform updates
• Device Identifiers: Anonymous device identifiers help us provide consistent experiences across app sessions
• Crash Reporting: Automated crash reporting helps us identify and fix technical issues in mobile applications

Cross-Platform Synchronization

• Account Synchronization: Technologies that sync your progress and preferences across web and mobile platforms
• Multi-Device Authentication: Secure authentication systems that work across different devices and platforms
• Consistent Experience: Technologies that ensure consistent functionality whether you access our platform via web or mobile

Mobile Privacy Controls

• App Permissions: Mobile operating systems provide granular controls over app permissions and data access
• Advertising Controls: Mobile devices offer advertising identifier controls and opt-out mechanisms
• Location Services: You can control whether our mobile apps access location information for relevant features

9. International Data Transfers and Cookie Data

Some of our third-party service providers may be located outside of Canada, which means cookie data may be transferred internationally. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

Transfer Safeguards

• Adequacy Decisions: We prioritize service providers in countries with adequate privacy protection as recognized by Canadian authorities
• Standard Contractual Clauses: We use standard contractual clauses to protect data transferred to countries without adequacy decisions
• Certification Programs: We work with service providers who participate in recognized international privacy certification programs
• Regular Monitoring: We regularly review and monitor international data transfers to ensure ongoing protection

User Rights for International Transfers

• Transfer Notification: We inform users when their cookie data may be transferred internationally
• Objection Rights: You may object to international transfers of your cookie data where legally permissible
• Alternative Services: Where possible, we offer alternative services that minimize international data transfers

10. Cookie Policy Updates and Change Management

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements:

Update Procedures

• Regular Reviews: We regularly review our cookie practices and update this policy as necessary
• Change Notifications: Significant changes to our cookie practices will be communicated through email, platform notifications, or website announcements
• Advance Notice: We provide reasonable advance notice for material changes that may affect your privacy rights
• Version Control: We maintain version history of this Cookie Policy and make previous versions available upon request

User Consent and Continued Use

• Continued Consent: Continued use of our Service after policy updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Cookie Policy
• Withdrawal Options: If you disagree with policy changes, you can adjust your cookie preferences or discontinue use of our Service
• Granular Consent: Where required by law, we obtain specific consent for new types of cookie usage

11. Contact Information and Cookie-Related Inquiries

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

We are committed to addressing your cookie-related concerns promptly and will respond to all inquiries within 30 days. Our privacy team can assist you with:

• Understanding how cookies are used on our platform
• Configuring your cookie preferences and settings
• Resolving technical issues related to cookie functionality
• Providing information about third-party cookie practices
• Addressing privacy concerns related to cookie usage

12. Additional Resources and External Links

For more information about cookies, online privacy, and your rights, you may find these resources helpful:

Canadian Privacy Resources

• Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: www.priv.gc.ca - Comprehensive information about privacy rights in Canada
• Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada: youradchoices.ca - Tools for controlling interest-based advertising
• Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA): Resources on internet privacy and security best practices

Browser and Technology Resources

• All About Cookies: www.allaboutcookies.org - Comprehensive guide to understanding and managing cookies
• Browser Privacy Settings: Instructions for managing cookies in popular web browsers
• Mobile Privacy Controls: Information about privacy settings on mobile devices and operating systems

Industry Standards and Certifications

• International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP): Professional resources and standards for privacy practices
• TRUSTe/TrustArc: Privacy certification and best practices for online services
• Better Business Bureau: Consumer protection resources and business accreditation information