This Cookie Policy explains how Guide Drive ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website guide-drive.com or use our services. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.
Cookies typically contain the following information:
- The name of the website that placed the cookie
- The duration of the cookie's existence on your device
- A unique identifier (usually a randomly generated number)
- Additional data related to the cookie's purpose
2. Types of Cookies We Use
2.1 Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality such as:
- Security and authentication
- Session management and user login
- Load balancing and server allocation
- Course progress tracking
- Shopping cart functionality
Legal Basis: These cookies are essential for providing our services and are set based on legitimate interest.
2.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous information about:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- User journey and navigation patterns
- Error messages and technical issues
- Website performance and loading times
- Popular content and course materials
Data Collected: IP address (anonymized), browser type, device information, pages visited, time stamps
Retention Period: Up to 26 months
Legal Basis: Your consent, which you can withdraw at any time
2.3 Functionality Cookies
These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your preferences and settings:
- Language and region preferences
- Display settings and accessibility options
- Course progress and bookmarks
- Form data and user preferences
- Cookie consent preferences
Retention Period: Up to 12 months
Legal Basis: Your consent and legitimate interest in providing personalized services
2.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies
These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure their effectiveness:
- Tracking conversions from advertisements
- Personalizing ads based on your interests
- Measuring ad campaign performance
- Preventing the same ad from being shown repeatedly
- Social media integration and sharing
Third Parties: We may work with advertising partners who set their own cookies
Retention Period: Up to 13 months
Legal Basis: Your explicit consent
3. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies
3.1 First-Party Cookies
These cookies are set directly by Guide Drive and are used for:
- Website functionality and user experience
- Course progress and learning analytics
- User authentication and security
- Preference management
3.2 Third-Party Cookies
These cookies are set by external services we use to enhance our website:
- Analytics Services: Google Analytics for website performance analysis
- Payment Processors: Secure payment processing
- Customer Support: Live chat and support tools
- Social Media: Social sharing and integration features
- Marketing Platforms: Email marketing and advertising optimization
4. Specific Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
gd_session - Session management and user authentication
Duration: Session | Purpose: Login and security
gd_csrf - Cross-site request forgery protection
Duration: Session | Purpose: Security
gd_course_progress - Track course completion and progress
Duration: 1 year | Purpose: Learning management
Analytics Cookies
_ga - Google Analytics main cookie
Duration: 2 years | Purpose: Distinguish users
_gat - Google Analytics throttling cookie
Duration: 1 minute | Purpose: Rate limiting
gd_analytics - Internal analytics tracking
Duration: 26 months | Purpose: Performance analysis
Functionality Cookies
gd_preferences - User preferences and settings
Duration: 1 year | Purpose: Personalization
gd_language - Language preference
Duration: 1 year | Purpose: Localization
5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
5.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:
- Accept All: Consent to all cookies for the best user experience
- Necessary Only: Accept only essential cookies required for basic functionality
- Custom Settings: Choose specific cookie categories you want to allow
5.2 Changing Your Preferences
You can modify your cookie preferences at any time by:
- Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer
- Using the cookie preference center in your account settings
- Adjusting your browser settings (see section 5.3)
5.3 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete existing cookies
- Set cookies to expire when you close your browser
- Be notified when cookies are set
Browser-Specific Instructions:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings > Site permissions > Cookies and site data
Important Note: Disabling certain cookies may affect your ability to use some features of our website, including course access and progress tracking.
6. Cookie Consent and Legal Basis
6.1 Consent Requirements
Under Canadian privacy laws and international regulations, we obtain your consent for non-essential cookies. Your consent is:
- Informed: We clearly explain what cookies we use and why
- Specific: You can choose which types of cookies to accept
- Freely given: You can refuse cookies without affecting essential services
- Withdrawable: You can change your mind at any time
6.2 Legitimate Interest
For essential cookies and some analytics cookies, we rely on legitimate interest as our legal basis. This allows us to:
- Ensure website security and prevent fraud
- Provide core functionality and user authentication
- Analyze website performance for improvement purposes
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
7. Impact of Blocking Cookies
If you choose to block or delete cookies, you may experience:
7.1 Essential Cookies Blocked
- Inability to log in to your account
- Loss of shopping cart contents
- Course progress not being saved
- Security features may not function properly
7.2 Functionality Cookies Blocked
- Settings and preferences not remembered
- Need to re-enter information repeatedly
- Reduced personalization of content
- Language and region settings reset
7.3 Analytics Cookies Blocked
- We cannot improve our website based on usage data
- Less relevant content recommendations
- Difficulty identifying and fixing technical issues
7.4 Marketing Cookies Blocked
- Less relevant advertisements
- Repeated display of the same ads
- Inability to measure marketing campaign effectiveness
- Social media integration may not work properly
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes in cookie technology or our use of cookies
- Legal or regulatory requirements
- Improvements to our website or services
- Feedback from users and privacy advocates
When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Notify you via our cookie consent banner
- Send email notifications to registered users for major changes
- Request renewed consent where required by law
9. Contact Us About Cookies
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding our use of cookies, please contact us:
We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
10. Additional Resources
For more information about cookies and online privacy, you may find these resources helpful:
