Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners about how users interact with their sites.

Drive Secrets uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website performance, and provide personalized content. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality such as:

• Cookie Consent Management: Remembering your cookie preferences and consent choices
• Security: Preventing security threats and maintaining website integrity
• Navigation: Enabling basic website navigation and access to secure areas
• Form Functionality: Ensuring contact forms and newsletter subscriptions work properly

2.2 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use this data to improve our content and user experience.

• Page Views: Track which pages are most popular
• User Behavior: Understand how users navigate our site
• Performance Metrics: Monitor site speed and functionality
• Traffic Sources: Identify how users find our website

2.3 Marketing Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver personalized advertisements and track the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. They help us show you relevant content and measure advertising performance.

• Personalized Ads: Show relevant product recommendations
• Retargeting: Display our content on other websites you visit
• Campaign Tracking: Measure effectiveness of our marketing efforts
• Social Media Integration: Enable sharing and social media features

3. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies, and they are subject to the respective third parties' privacy policies.

3.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how our website is used. Google Analytics sets cookies to help us analyze website traffic and usage patterns.

• Data Collected: Page views, session duration, bounce rate, user demographics
• Purpose: Website optimization and content improvement
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy
• Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out

3.2 Social Media Platforms

Our website includes social media sharing buttons and embedded content from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. These services may set their own cookies.

• Facebook: Facebook Cookie Policy
• Twitter: Twitter Cookie Policy
• YouTube: YouTube Cookie Policy

3.3 Affiliate Partners

We participate in affiliate marketing programs with Canadian retailers. These partners may set cookies to track referrals and purchases.

• Canadian Tire affiliate program
• Amazon.ca Associates program
• Other Canadian kitchen and BBQ retailers

4. How We Use Cookies

4.1 Website Functionality

Cookies help us provide essential website features:

• Remember your cookie preferences and settings
• Maintain security and prevent fraudulent activity
• Enable newsletter subscription and contact forms
• Provide personalized content recommendations

4.2 Analytics and Improvement

We use cookie data to:

• Understand which content is most valuable to our Canadian audience
• Identify technical issues and improve website performance
• Optimize our content for different devices and browsers
• Track the effectiveness of our Canadian-focused content

4.3 Marketing and Advertising

Marketing cookies help us:

• Show you relevant product recommendations for Canadian retailers
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
• Provide affiliate tracking for our Canadian retail partners
• Display targeted content based on your interests

5. Your Cookie Choices

5.1 Cookie Consent Management

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner asking for your consent. You can:

• Accept All: Consent to all cookie types for the full website experience
• Necessary Only: Only allow essential cookies required for basic functionality
• Customize: Choose specific cookie categories you want to allow

5.2 Changing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Cookie Preferences" link in our website footer
• Using the cookie settings panel that appears when you revisit the site
• Clearing your browser cookies (note: this will reset all preferences)

5.3 Browser Settings

You can also control cookies through your browser settings:

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

6. Mobile Devices

When you access our website on mobile devices, we may collect information through cookies and similar technologies:

6.1 Mobile Browser Cookies

Mobile browsers handle cookies similarly to desktop browsers. You can manage cookies in your mobile browser settings.

6.2 Device Identifiers

We may collect device-specific information such as:

• Device type and operating system
• Screen resolution and orientation
• Network connection type
• General location information (country/region)

7. Data Retention

Different types of cookies are retained for different periods:

7.1 Session Cookies

These cookies are deleted when you close your browser session.

7.2 Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a specified period:

• Necessary cookies: Up to 1 year
• Analytics cookies: Up to 2 years
• Marketing cookies: Up to 90 days

7.3 Manual Deletion

You can delete cookies manually at any time through your browser settings or by using our cookie preference center.

8. Canadian Privacy Compliance

Our use of cookies complies with Canadian privacy laws, including:

8.1 PIPEDA Compliance

We follow the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) principles:

• Obtaining meaningful consent for non-essential cookies
• Providing clear information about cookie purposes
• Limiting collection to necessary purposes
• Ensuring accuracy and security of cookie data

8.2 Provincial Privacy Laws

We also comply with applicable provincial privacy legislation across Canada, including specific requirements in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta.

9. International Users

While our website is primarily focused on Canadian users, we welcome visitors from other countries. If you're visiting from outside Canada:

• Your data may be processed in Canada under Canadian privacy laws
• We strive to comply with international privacy standards
• You maintain the same cookie control options regardless of location
• Contact us if you have specific privacy concerns related to your jurisdiction

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in cookie technologies or our use of cookies
• Updates to Canadian or international privacy laws
• New features or services on our website
• Feedback from users or privacy authorities

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you through our cookie banner if consent requirements change
• Post announcements for major policy changes

11. Contact Information

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

11.1 Privacy Officer

For specific privacy concerns related to cookies and data processing, please contact our Privacy Officer using the information above and mark your correspondence "Attention: Privacy Officer - Cookie Policy Inquiry."

12. Additional Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy:

• Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• All About Cookies
• Network Advertising Initiative Opt-out
• Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-out