Cookie Policy

Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how GameMaster Academy ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and gaming coaching platform. As Canada's premier provider of elite gaming coaching services, we are committed to transparency about our data practices and respecting your privacy choices.

Who We Are: GameMaster Academy is a Canadian company specializing in professional gaming coaching services. Our synthwave-inspired platform connects players with expert coaches to elevate gaming performance through personalized training programs, performance analysis, and strategic guidance.

Your Consent: By using our website and services, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. You have control over cookie settings and can modify your preferences at any time through your browser settings or our cookie management tools.

Transparency Commitment: We believe in clear, straightforward communication about our cookie practices. This policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can control them to create a coaching experience that respects your privacy preferences.

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit websites. They contain information that helps websites remember your preferences, improve functionality, and provide personalized experiences.

Cookie Fundamentals

• Storage Location: Cookies are stored locally on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) by your web browser
• Information Content: Cookies contain small amounts of data such as unique identifiers, session information, or user preferences
• Automatic Collection: Cookies are sent automatically between your browser and our servers during website interactions
• Expiration Timing: Cookies can be temporary (session-based) or persistent (stored for specific time periods)

Types of Storage Technologies

• HTTP Cookies: Traditional cookies sent with HTTP requests and stored in browser cookie files
• Local Storage: HTML5 web storage that persists data locally in your browser for extended periods
• Session Storage: Temporary storage that exists only for the duration of your browser session
• Browser Cache: Stored website files and resources that improve loading speeds during return visits

First-Party vs. Third-Party

First-Party Cookies: Set directly by GameMaster Academy's website and used to provide core functionality, remember your preferences, and improve your coaching experience.

Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we work with, such as analytics providers, payment processors, and communication platforms. These cookies help us understand site performance and provide integrated services.

Local Storage Distinction: Unlike traditional cookies, local storage and session storage are not automatically sent to servers with each request. They provide enhanced functionality for our coaching platform while maintaining better privacy control.

Types of Cookies We Use

We use different categories of cookies to provide and improve our gaming coaching services. Each category serves specific purposes and has different impacts on your experience.

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for our website and coaching platform to function properly. They enable core features and security measures that are fundamental to providing our services.

• Authentication: Maintain your login session and verify your identity across coaching sessions
• Security: Protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and security threats
• Load Balancing: Distribute website traffic efficiently to maintain platform performance
• Form Handling: Process booking requests, payment information, and contact forms securely
• Navigation: Remember your language preferences and accessibility settings

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website and coaching platform, allowing us to improve functionality and user experience.

• Analytics: Track page views, session duration, and user journey patterns
• Error Monitoring: Identify technical issues and platform performance problems
• Speed Optimization: Monitor loading times and optimize platform responsiveness
• Usage Statistics: Understand which coaching features are most valuable to users

Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced features and personalized experiences that improve your coaching journey and platform usability.

• Preference Storage: Remember your coaching goals, game preferences, and dashboard settings
• Coach Matching: Store criteria for matching you with appropriate coaches
• Session History: Maintain records of your coaching sessions and progress tracking
• Communication Tools: Enable chat functionality and video conferencing features
• Calendar Integration: Sync your coaching schedule with external calendar applications

Marketing Cookies

These cookies help us deliver relevant information about our coaching services and measure the effectiveness of our marketing efforts.

• Targeted Content: Show relevant coaching programs based on your gaming interests
• Email Campaigns: Track engagement with our coaching newsletters and updates
• Social Media: Enable sharing functionality and track social media engagement
• Conversion Tracking: Measure how effectively our website converts visitors into students
• Retargeting: Show relevant coaching advertisements on other websites you visit

Third-Party Cookies and Services

We work with trusted third-party providers to enhance our coaching platform and provide integrated services. These partners may set their own cookies when you interact with our website.

Analytics and Performance Monitoring

• Google Analytics: Provides detailed insights into website usage patterns, user demographics, and conversion tracking
• Performance Monitoring: Third-party services that monitor website speed, uptime, and technical performance
• User Experience Tools: Services that help us understand how users navigate and interact with our platform
• A/B Testing Platforms: Enable testing of different features and layouts to improve user experience

Communication and Support Services

• Video Conferencing: Platforms that enable our coaches to conduct online training sessions
• Live Chat Support: Customer service tools that provide real-time assistance and support
• Email Services: Marketing automation platforms that deliver coaching updates and newsletters
• Calendar Integration: Services that sync coaching appointments with external calendar systems

Payment and Security Providers

• Payment Processors: Secure services that handle credit card transactions and billing information
• Fraud Prevention: Security services that protect against fraudulent activities and unauthorized access
• Identity Verification: Services that verify user identities for enhanced security

Content and Social Media Integration

• Social Media Platforms: Enable sharing coaching achievements and connecting with our community
• Content Delivery Networks: Improve website loading speeds and performance globally
• Gaming Platform APIs: Connect with gaming services to analyze performance and track progress

Third-Party Privacy Policies

Each third-party service has its own privacy policy and cookie practices. We encourage you to review these policies to understand how your data is handled:

• Google Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
• Payment Processor Policies: Available through their respective websites and service agreements
• Communication Platform Policies: Linked from within our coaching platform when these services are used

Third-Party Control: While we carefully select trustworthy partners, we cannot control third-party cookie practices. You can manage these cookies through your browser settings or by contacting the third-party providers directly.

Managing Your Preferences

You have significant control over how cookies are used on our platform. We provide multiple ways to manage your cookie preferences and respect your privacy choices.

Browser-Level Controls

All modern web browsers provide built-in tools for managing cookies. These settings give you comprehensive control over cookie storage and usage.

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

Browser Cookie Options

• Block All Cookies: Prevent all cookies from being stored (may impact website functionality)
• Block Third-Party Cookies: Allow first-party cookies while blocking external tracking
• Clear Existing Cookies: Delete currently stored cookies from our website
• Cookie Exceptions: Create specific rules for individual websites or cookie categories

Platform Cookie Preferences

Our website includes a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept or reject specific categories of cookies. You can modify these preferences at any time.

• Essential Cookies: Cannot be disabled as they are necessary for basic functionality
• Performance Cookies: Can be disabled while maintaining full platform functionality
• Functional Cookies: Can be disabled, though some personalization features may be limited
• Marketing Cookies: Can be completely disabled without affecting coaching services

Mobile Device Settings

Mobile browsers and applications provide additional privacy controls for managing tracking technologies:

• iOS Safari: Settings > Safari > Block All Cookies or Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
• Android Chrome: Chrome > Settings > Site settings > Cookies
• App Permissions: Control data collection permissions for our mobile coaching app

Opt-Out Links and Tools

Several industry organizations provide centralized opt-out tools for advertising and tracking cookies:

• Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info
• Google Ad Settings: adssettings.google.com
• Facebook Ad Preferences: Available through your Facebook account settings

Data Retention and Expiration

Different types of cookies and stored data have varying lifespans based on their purpose and functionality. We maintain clear retention policies to balance functionality with privacy protection.

Session Cookies

• Duration: Deleted automatically when you close your browser
• Purpose: Maintain your login state and preserve form data during coaching sessions
• Content: Temporary identifiers and session-specific information
• Privacy Impact: Minimal long-term privacy implications due to automatic expiration

Persistent Cookies - Short Term

• Duration: 30 days to 6 months
• Purpose: Remember login credentials, language preferences, and recent coaching activities
• Content: User preferences, coach selection criteria, and platform settings
• Renewal: Extended automatically when you actively use our platform

Persistent Cookies - Long Term

• Duration: 1 to 2 years
• Purpose: Track coaching progress over time, maintain performance analytics, and provide personalized experiences
• Content: Progress tracking data, performance metrics, and long-term coaching goals
• Review: Regularly evaluated and purged based on activity and relevance

Third-Party Cookie Lifespans

• Analytics Cookies: Typically expire after 2 years to provide meaningful trend analysis
• Marketing Cookies: Generally expire within 30-90 days to maintain campaign relevance
• Social Media Cookies: Vary by platform, usually 1-12 months depending on service
• Payment Cookies: Short-lived, typically expiring within hours or days after transactions

Data Cleanup and Maintenance

We regularly review and clean up stored cookie data to minimize privacy impacts and maintain platform performance:

• Automated Cleanup: Expired cookies are automatically purged from our systems
• Inactive Account Cleanup: Cookies associated with inactive accounts are removed after extended periods
• Consent Withdrawal: Cookies are immediately removed when you withdraw consent or delete your account
• Legal Compliance: Retention periods comply with Canadian privacy law requirements

Manual Data Deletion

You can actively manage cookie data through several methods:

• Browser Clearing: Delete all cookies for our website through browser settings
• Selective Deletion: Remove specific cookie categories while preserving others
• Account Deletion: Request complete removal of all associated cookie data
• Privacy Dashboard: Use our platform tools to view and manage stored information

Retention Balance: Our retention policies balance the benefits of personalized coaching experiences with respect for your privacy. Longer retention periods enable better progress tracking and coach recommendations, while shorter periods provide greater privacy protection.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, new technologies, or regulatory requirements. We are committed to maintaining transparency about these changes.

Types of Changes

• Technical Updates: Adding new cookie categories or updating existing cookie descriptions based on platform improvements
• Service Enhancements: Incorporating new third-party services or discontinuing existing integrations
• Regulatory Compliance: Adapting to new privacy laws or regulatory guidance affecting cookie usage
• Clarity Improvements: Enhancing explanations and adding detail to improve user understanding

Notification Process

• Major Changes: Email notification to registered users at least 30 days before implementation
• Website Notice: Prominent announcement on our homepage and platform dashboard
• Cookie Banner Update: Modified consent options reflecting new cookie practices
• Version Dating: Clear indication of when changes take effect and previous policy versions

Your Response Options

• Continued Use: Using our platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of updated practices
• Preference Updates: Modify your cookie settings to reflect new options or categories
• Service Discontinuation: Contact us if you prefer to discontinue service rather than accept changes
• Feedback Provision: Share concerns or suggestions about proposed policy changes

Historical Versions

We maintain records of previous policy versions to provide transparency about our evolving practices. Historical versions are available upon request and include:

• Change Summaries: Clear explanations of what changed and why
• Effective Dates: When each version was active and when changes occurred
• Impact Analysis: How changes affect existing users and their stored data

Contact Information

Cookie Management Resources

For additional information about managing cookies and online privacy, these resources may be helpful:

• All About Cookies: allaboutcookies.org
• Privacy Commissioner of Canada: priv.gc.ca
• Your Online Choices (Canada): youradchoices.ca/

Platform-Specific Support

If you need help managing cookie settings within our coaching platform, we offer:

• Help Center: Step-by-step guides for adjusting privacy and cookie preferences
• Video Tutorials: Visual guides for managing cookies on different devices and browsers
• Personal Assistance: One-on-one support to configure settings that match your privacy preferences