What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to the website operator. Cookies remain on your device for varying periods of time depending on their type.

Similar technologies include web beacons (also called pixel tags or clear GIFs), which are tiny graphics embedded in web pages or emails that help track user activity. Local storage and session storage are browser-based storage mechanisms that function similarly to cookies but store data differently. This policy covers all such technologies collectively.

How We Use Cookies

Vuyuso Mawoje uses cookies to operate this website effectively, to understand how visitors use it, and to remember your preferences. We have organized our cookie use into the categories described below. Some cookies are placed directly by us; others are placed by third-party services we use.

We obtain your consent before placing any cookies that are not strictly necessary for the operation of the website. You can manage your consent preferences at any time using the cookie settings tool accessible through the floating consent panel on this website.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are typically set only in response to actions you take, such as setting your cookie preferences.

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
vmi_consent Stores your cookie consent preferences 1 year
vmi_session Maintains your session as you navigate pages Session

These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and are required for the website to function correctly.

Analytics Cookies

With your consent, we use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with our website. This information helps us improve the structure, content, and navigation of the site. Analytics data is collected in aggregate and does not identify individual visitors.

Cookie Name Provider Duration
_ga Google Analytics — distinguishes users 2 years
_ga_* Google Analytics — maintains session state 2 years
_gid Google Analytics — distinguishes users 24 hours

You can opt out of analytics cookies using the cookie consent tool on this website. You can also opt out of Google Analytics specifically by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Currently, our use of functional cookies is limited. We may add functional cookies in the future as we add features to the website. This policy will be updated to reflect any such additions.

Third-Party Cookies

Some pages on our website may include content from third-party services, such as embedded maps. These services may set their own cookies. We do not control these third-party cookies and they are subject to the privacy policies of the respective third parties.

The Google Maps embed on our Contact page may set cookies from Google. For information about Google's cookie practices, please visit Google's Privacy Policy at policies.google.com/privacy. You can control Google's use of cookies through Google's My Account settings.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

When you first visit our website, a cookie consent panel appears in the top-left corner of your screen. This panel allows you to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences by category. Your preferences are stored in the vmi_consent cookie and will be remembered for one year.

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings option in the consent panel, which can be re-accessed by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

Browser-Level Cookie Controls

In addition to our on-site consent tool, most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings. The following links provide guidance for major browsers:

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

Please note that restricting cookies through browser settings may affect the functionality of this and other websites you visit. Certain features of our website may not work correctly if cookies are disabled.

Your Rights Regarding Cookie Data

Under applicable US privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), you may have rights regarding personal information collected through cookies. These rights include the right to know what information is collected, the right to request deletion, and the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information.

We do not sell personal information collected through cookies. Analytics data is used solely to improve our website and is not shared with third parties for their marketing purposes. To exercise your privacy rights, please contact us using the information below.

Contact

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

Vuyuso Mawoje
7501 Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 847-417-7472