1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.
Cookies allow websites to:
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Keep you logged in to your account
- Understand how you use the website
- Improve your user experience
- Provide security features
2. How ExpertMatched Uses Cookies
ExpertMatched uses cookies to provide essential functionality and improve your experience on our platform. We are committed to transparency about how we use cookies and give you control over your preferences.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. Without these cookies, services you have requested cannot be provided. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
Necessary Cookies We Use:
Authentication & Session Cookies
- Purpose: Keep you logged in to your account
- Provider: Better Auth (our authentication system)
- Duration: Session (deleted when you close your browser) or up to 30 days if "Remember me" is selected
- Cookie names:
better-auth.session_token
Security Cookies
- Purpose: Protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks
- Provider: ExpertMatched (first-party)
- Duration: Session
- Cookie names:
csrf-token
Cookie Consent
- Purpose: Remember your cookie consent preferences
- Provider: ExpertMatched (stored in browser localStorage)
- Duration: Persistent (until you clear your browser data)
- Storage key:
cookie-consent
Note: You cannot opt-out of strictly necessary cookies as they are required for the website to function. Blocking these cookies may prevent you from using ExpertMatched.
3.2 Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the platform.
PostHog Analytics
- Purpose: Understand user behavior, page views, feature usage, and product analytics. Includes session recordings to improve user experience.
- Provider: PostHog (EU cloud instance - https://eu.posthog.com)
- Duration: Up to 1 year
- Data collected: Page views, clicks, feature usage, session recordings (with all form inputs masked for privacy), browser type, device information
- Privacy: GDPR-compliant EU hosting. Data stored in EU data centers. IP addresses are anonymized. All password and sensitive input fields are automatically masked. You can opt-out at any time.
- Cookie names:
ph_* (PostHog session and analytics cookies)
3.3 Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. ExpertMatched uses the following third-party services that may set cookies:
Stripe (Payment Processing)
- Purpose: Process payments securely and prevent fraud
- Provider: Stripe, Inc.
- When set: When you make a payment or add a payment method
- Privacy policy: stripe.com/privacy
Socket.io (Real-time Messaging)
- Purpose: Enable real-time messaging between users
- Provider: Socket.io (self-hosted)
- Duration: Session
- Cookie names:
io
4. How Long Do Cookies Last?
Cookies can be either:
- Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. Used for essential functions like keeping you logged in during your visit.
- Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period (ranging from a few days to several years) or until you manually delete them. Used for remembering your preferences across visits.
5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
5.1 Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
- Block third-party cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies (not recommended - may break website functionality)
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
How to manage cookies in popular browsers:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
For detailed instructions, visit your browser's help section or these resources:
5.2 Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you disable cookies, please note:
- You may not be able to log in to your ExpertMatched account
- You will need to log in repeatedly during your session
- Some features of the platform may not function properly
- Your preferences will not be saved
6. Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. We respect DNT signals and will honor your browser's DNT setting for analytics and non-essential cookies.
Note: Strictly necessary cookies (authentication, security) will still be used as they are required for the website to function.
7. Other Tracking Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies:
- Local Storage: Similar to cookies but with larger storage capacity. Used to remember your cookie consent preferences and theme settings.
- Session Storage: Temporary storage that is cleared when you close your browser tab. Used for temporary data during your session.
- Web Beacons: Tiny graphics (also called pixel tags) used in emails to track if an email was opened and read.
8. Cookies for Logged-Out Visitors
If you visit ExpertMatched without logging in, we only use:
- Cookie consent preference cookie (to remember your choice)
- Basic analytics cookies (Vercel Analytics - anonymized data only)
We do not track your identity or personal information when you are not logged in.
9. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our business operations. When we make changes:
- We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
- Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the platform
- We encourage you to review this policy periodically
10. Questions About Cookies?
If you have questions about our use of cookies or other tracking technologies, please contact us:
POWERTECH DIGITAL LIMITED
Company Number: 16015351
85 Great Portland Street
London, Greater London
United Kingdom, W1W 7LT
Email: support@expertmatched.com
11. Related Policies
For more information about how we handle your data, please see:
This Cookie Policy complies with UK GDPR, EU GDPR, and ePrivacy Directive requirements. We are committed to transparency and giving you control over your privacy.