Effective Date: December 15, 2024
Last Updated: December 15, 2024

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how CodeLegal Network uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website codelegalnet.org. This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Contact Information:

• Email: cookies@codelegalnet.org
• Phone: +1 (905) 881-4860
• Address: 6813 Steeles Ave W, Etobicoke, ON M9V 4R9, Canada

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences and login status, making your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

2.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a specified period
• First-Party Cookies: Cookies set directly by codelegalnet.org
• Third-Party Cookies: Cookies set by external services we use

3. How We Use Cookies

3.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide our legal services to the IT sector:

Security and Authentication

• session_id: Manages your session on our website
• csrf_token: Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks
• auth_token: Remembers your login status for secure client areas
• security_hash: Prevents unauthorized access to sensitive areas
• tech_compliance_check: Ensures compliance with IT industry regulations

Website Functionality

• language_preference: Remembers your language selection
• accessibility_settings: Stores your accessibility preferences
• contact_form_data: Temporarily stores form information during submission
• legal_disclaimer_accepted: Records acceptance of legal disclaimers
• it_sector_preferences: Remembers your IT industry sector preferences

Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (essential for website operation)
Retention Period: Session to 1 year

3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how IT professionals and tech companies use our website:

Google Analytics

• _ga: Distinguishes unique users
• _gid: Distinguishes unique users for 24 hours
• _gat: Throttles request rate
• ga[ID]: Contains campaign-related information

Website Performance

• performance_monitoring: Tracks page load times
• error_tracking: Identifies technical issues
• user_journey: Analyzes navigation patterns for IT professionals
• bounce_rate: Measures user engagement with legal content
• tech_content_analytics: Tracks engagement with IT-specific legal content

Legal Basis: Consent
Retention Period: Up to 2 years

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance your experience on our website:

Personalization

• client_preferences: Remembers your personal settings
• consultation_history: Tracks your previous IT legal inquiries
• document_preferences: Remembers document viewing preferences
• notification_settings: Manages your notification preferences
• tech_industry_focus: Remembers your specific IT sector focus

Communication

• chat_session: Maintains live chat sessions
• callback_request: Stores callback preferences
• meeting_preferences: Remembers scheduling preferences for tech consultations
• timezone_setting: Stores your timezone for appointments
• video_conference_prefs: Remembers preferences for online meetings

Legal Basis: Consent
Retention Period: Up to 1 year

3.4 Marketing Cookies

These cookies are used for marketing purposes to IT professionals and tech companies:

Google Ads

• _gcl_au: Google Ads conversion tracking
• gac: Google Ads campaign attribution
• google_conversion: Tracks consultation requests from IT professionals
• remarketing_audience: Enables targeted advertising to tech sector

Social Media Integration

• linkedin_insight: LinkedIn professional advertising (key for IT sector)
• facebook_pixel: Facebook advertising and analytics
• twitter_conversion: Twitter advertising tracking for tech industry

IT Industry Marketing

• tech_legal_content_tracking: Tracks engagement with IT legal content
• webinar_attendance: Records legal webinar participation for IT professionals
• newsletter_engagement: Measures newsletter interaction for tech updates
• startup_legal_interest: Tracks interest in startup legal services
• privacy_compliance_tracking: Monitors interest in privacy and data protection services

Legal Basis: Consent
Retention Period: 30-90 days

4. Detailed Cookie Information

4.1 Essential Cookies Table

4.2 Analytics Cookies Table

4.3 Functional Cookies Table

4.4 Marketing Cookies Table

5. Third-Party Services

5.1 Legal Technology Services

We use specialized legal technology services that may set cookies:

• Legal research platforms: Westlaw, LexisNexis for IT law research
• Document management systems: Secure cloud-based legal document storage
• Electronic signature services: DocuSign, Adobe Sign for tech contracts
• Client portal systems: Secure client communication platforms for IT companies

5.2 IT Business Services

We use IT-focused business services that may set cookies:

• Microsoft Office 365: Email and document collaboration
• Google Workspace: Business productivity tools
• Zoom: Video conferencing for client meetings with tech companies
• Calendly: Appointment scheduling system for IT consultations
• Slack: Communication platform for ongoing IT legal support

5.3 Website and Analytics Services

Our website uses services including:

• Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis
• Google Ads: Online advertising targeting IT professionals
• LinkedIn Ads: Professional advertising for tech sector
• Content delivery networks: Fast content delivery for tech resources
• Security monitoring: Website security for sensitive legal information

6. Cookie Consent and Control

6.1 Your Cookie Choices

You have several options to control cookies on our website:

Our Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit our website, you can:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences by category
• Change your preferences at any time through our cookie settings

Cookie Settings Page

You can manage your cookie preferences by:

• Visiting our Cookie Settings page
• Adjusting preferences by cookie category
• Saving your choices for future visits
• Reviewing and updating settings regularly

6.2 Browser Cookie Controls

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome

• Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
• Choose to block all cookies or allow only first-party cookies
• Manage exceptions for specific websites

Firefox

• Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Choose custom settings for cookie management
• Block cookies from specific sites

Safari

• Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
• Choose to block all cookies or allow from current website only
• Manage website data and cookies

Edge

• Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies
• Choose to block all cookies or allow only first-party cookies
• Manage permissions for specific sites

6.3 Third-Party Opt-Out Options

You can opt out of third-party tracking:

• Google Analytics: Use the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on
• Google Ads: Visit Google’s Ad Settings to opt out of personalized ads
• LinkedIn: Adjust LinkedIn’s advertising preferences
• Facebook: Use Facebook’s ad preferences to control advertising

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

7.1 Essential Cookies

Disabling essential cookies will significantly impact your experience:

• Security issues: Unable to access secure client areas for IT legal services
• Functionality problems: Contact forms for IT consultations may not work
• Session management: Inability to maintain login sessions
• IT compliance tracking: May not be able to track compliance requirements

7.2 Analytics Cookies

Disabling analytics cookies will:

• Reduce service improvement: We cannot identify and improve IT legal services
• Limit optimization: Website performance for tech professionals may not improve
• Affect content: We cannot determine which IT legal content is most useful
• Impact user experience: May not enhance services for tech sector needs

7.3 Functional Cookies

Disabling functional cookies will:

• Reset preferences: IT sector settings will not be remembered
• Affect personalization: Legal content will not be tailored to your tech needs
• Impact communication: Chat and callback features may not work
• Scheduling issues: Appointment preferences for IT consultations will not be saved

7.4 Marketing Cookies

Disabling marketing cookies will:

• Reduce targeted advertising: Ads will be less relevant to IT professionals
• Limit conversion tracking: We cannot measure marketing effectiveness
• Affect social integration: LinkedIn and other professional features may not work
• Impact content delivery: IT legal content recommendations may be less relevant

8. IT Sector Specific Considerations

8.1 Technology Industry Privacy

We ensure our cookie usage aligns with IT industry privacy standards:

• Data minimization: We collect only necessary data for IT legal services
• Encryption: All cookie data is encrypted for tech industry security standards
• Access controls: Limited access to cookie data following IT security practices
• Regular audits: Periodic security reviews using IT industry standards

8.2 Compliance with Tech Regulations

Our cookie usage complies with:

• PIPEDA: Canadian privacy legislation for IT companies
• GDPR: European regulations affecting Canadian tech companies
• CCPA: California privacy laws for tech companies operating in California
• IT industry standards: Technology sector privacy best practices

8.3 Client Confidentiality for IT Companies

We ensure that our cookie usage does not compromise:

• Solicitor-client privilege: Privileged communications with tech clients
• Trade secrets: Protection of IT company confidential information
• Intellectual property: Safeguarding of tech IP discussions
• Business confidentiality: Protection of IT business strategies and plans

9. Contact Form Cookies

9.1 Form Functionality

Our contact forms use cookies to:

• Form validation: Ensure proper form submission for IT legal inquiries
• Data persistence: Temporarily store form data during submission
• Spam prevention: Protect against automated spam submissions
• User experience: Remember form preferences for future visits

9.2 Form Data Security

We protect contact form data through:

• Encryption: All form data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Secure transmission: Forms use HTTPS for secure data transmission
• Limited storage: Form data is stored only as long as necessary
• Access controls: Restricted access to form submissions

10. Cookie Policy Updates

10.1 Policy Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• New cookie technologies: Implementation of new tracking technologies
• Service changes: Addition or removal of third-party services
• Legal requirements: Changes in privacy laws affecting IT sector
• IT industry developments: New compliance requirements for tech companies

10.2 Notification of Changes

We will notify you of material changes through:

• Website notifications: Prominent notices on our website
• Email communications: Notifications to active IT sector clients
• Updated timestamps: Changes to the “Last Updated” date
• Professional updates: Notifications through IT industry channels

11. Contact Information

For questions about this Cookie Policy or to exercise your cookie preferences:

CodeLegal Network
Cookie Privacy Officer
6813 Steeles Ave W
Etobicoke, ON M9V 4R9
Canada

Email: cookies@codelegalnet.org
Phone: +1 (905) 881-4860

For data protection inquiries: privacy@codelegalnet.org
For general inquiries: info@codelegalnet.org

12. Additional Resources

12.1 General Privacy Resources

• About Cookies: www.aboutcookies.org
• Your Online Choices: www.youronlinechoices.com
• Privacy Commissioner of Canada: www.priv.gc.ca
• Digital Advertising Alliance: www.youradchoices.ca

12.2 IT Industry Resources

• Canadian IT Law Association: IT legal resources
• Information and Communications Technology Council: www.ictc-ctic.ca
• Canadian Association of Internet Providers: Privacy guidelines
• Tech Industry Privacy Standards: Best practices for IT companies

12.3 Legal Professional Resources

• Law Society of Ontario: www.lso.ca
• Canadian Bar Association: www.cba.org
• IT Law Section: Specialized legal resources for technology law
• Privacy and Data Protection Guidelines: Legal industry privacy standards

By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. You can change your cookie preferences at any time through our cookie settings or your browser preferences. CodeLegal Network is committed to protecting your privacy while providing exceptional legal services to the IT sector.