Cookie Policy
Effective Date: October 19, 2025
Last Updated: October 19, 2025
1. Introduction
Welcome to The Hive by The Learning Hive Academy. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them and how you can manage your preferences. This policy applies to our website at hive.thelearninghive.academy and all related services.
We are committed to being transparent about how we use cookies and respecting your choices regarding data collection and privacy.
2. 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 provide information to website owners.
Cookies can be:
- Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
- First-party cookies: Set by the website you're visiting
- Third-party cookies: Set by a service other than the website you're visiting
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for several purposes:
3.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality such as:
- Authentication: Keeping you logged in as you navigate the site
- Security: Protecting your account and detecting malicious activity
- Session management: Maintaining your session state across pages
- Consent preferences: Remembering your cookie consent choices
Examples:
- Authentication tokens (Clerk/Firebase)
- Session identifiers
- Security tokens (CSRF protection)
- Cookie consent preferences (
thelearninghive.academy_consent)
Legal Basis: Necessary for contract performance and legitimate interests (security)
Retention: Session cookies expire when you close your browser; authentication cookies typically last 30 days
3.2 Preference Cookies
These cookies remember your choices and settings to provide a personalised experience:
- Theme preference: Your choice of light or dark mode
- Language selection: Your preferred language (if applicable)
- UI customisation: Layout preferences and accessibility settings
- Reading preferences: Font size, spacing and display options in our ebook reader
Examples:
theme- Stores your light/dark mode preferencereading_preferences- Your ebook reader settings
Legal Basis: Consent (optional)
Retention: Typically 12 months
3.3 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website. We use this information to improve our content, user experience and educational materials.
Service: Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
Purpose:
- Measure website traffic and user engagement
- Understand which content is most valuable to students
- Identify technical issues and improve performance
- Analyse learning patterns to enhance our educational materials
Data Collected:
- Page views and navigation paths
- Time spent on pages
- Device and browser information (anonymised)
- General location (country/city level, anonymised)
- Referral sources (how you found us)
Privacy Controls:
- IP addresses are anonymised
- We do not collect personally identifiable information through analytics
- Data is aggregated and used for statistical purposes only
Third Party: Google LLC
- Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Legal Basis: Consent (optional)
Retention: Up to 26 months (configurable in GA4)
3.4 Marketing & Advertising Cookies
These cookies track visitors across websites to display relevant advertisements and measure marketing campaign effectiveness.
Service: Meta Pixel (Facebook Pixel)
Purpose:
- Measure advertising campaign effectiveness
- Build audiences for targeted advertising
- Track conversions (ebook purchases, newsletter signups)
- Retarget visitors who showed interest but didn't complete a purchase
- Optimise ad delivery to relevant audiences
Data Collected:
- Page views and actions (add to cart, purchase, signup)
- Device and browser information
- Referral information from Facebook/Instagram ads
- Custom events (ebook views, checkout initiated)
Privacy Controls:
- We do not share personally identifiable information without your explicit consent
- Facebook matches data using hashed identifiers
- You can control Facebook ad preferences in your Facebook account settings
Third Party: Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy
- Ad Preferences: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences
Legal Basis: Consent (optional)
Retention: Up to 90 days
4. Third-Party Services & Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, we use the following third-party services that may set cookies:
Authentication & User Management
- Clerk: User authentication and account management
- Purpose: Secure login, session management, user profiles
- Privacy: https://clerk.com/privacy
- Retention: Session to 30 days
Payment Processing
- Stripe: Secure payment processing for ebook purchases
- Purpose: Payment authorisation, fraud prevention
- Privacy: https://stripe.com/privacy
- Note: Payment data is processed directly by Stripe and not stored on our servers
- Retention: As per Stripe's data retention policy
Email Marketing
- Klaviyo: Newsletter and marketing email management
- Purpose: Email subscriptions, marketing communications
- Privacy: https://www.klaviyo.com/legal/privacy
- Retention: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
Content Delivery
- Contentful: Content management for ebooks and educational materials
- Purpose: Deliver ebook content and educational resources
- Privacy: https://www.contentful.com/legal/privacy-at-contentful/
Hosting & Infrastructure
- Vercel: Website hosting and deployment
- Purpose: Deliver website content, performance monitoring
- Privacy: https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy
5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have full control over which cookies we use (except for essential cookies, which are required for the website to function).
5.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner with the following options:
- Accept All: Consent to all cookie categories
- Reject All: Only essential cookies will be used
- Customise: Choose which categories to accept or reject
5.2 Cookie Settings
You can change your preferences at any time by:
- Clicking "Cookie Settings" in the website footer
- Adjusting your preferences using the toggles
- Saving your choices
Your preferences are stored in the thehive_consent cookie and will be respected on future visits (for up to 12 months).
5.3 Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings:
Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
Edge: Settings > Privacy, search and services > Cookies and site permissions
Note: Disabling essential cookies may prevent certain features from working properly.
5.4 Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Facebook Ad Preferences: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences
- Network Advertising Initiative: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
- Digital Advertising Alliance: https://youradchoices.com/
6. Mobile Devices
Our cookie policy also applies when you access our website through mobile devices. Mobile apps and browsers may have their own privacy settings that affect how cookies and similar technologies work.
7. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. We respect DNT preferences by:
- Not loading analytics or marketing cookies if DNT is enabled
- Treating DNT as equivalent to rejecting non-essential cookies
8. Updates to Cookies
We may occasionally add or update cookies to improve functionality or add new features. When significant changes are made:
- We will update this policy
- You may be asked to reconsent if required by law
- Material changes will be announced on our website
9. Legal Compliance
This Cookie Policy complies with:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - EU data protection law
- Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) - Australian privacy law
- ePrivacy Directive - EU cookie law
- Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
We implement privacy by design and default, ensuring:
- No non-essential cookies are loaded without consent
- Granular control over cookie categories
- Easy-to-access consent management tools
- Transparent information about data collection and use
10. Your Rights
Under GDPR and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), you have the following rights:
10.1 Right to Access
Request a copy of the data we have collected through cookies.
10.2 Right to Rectification
Request correction of inaccurate data.
10.3 Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)
Request deletion of your data. You can:
- Clear your browser cookies manually
- Use our "Reject All" option to prevent future data collection
- Contact us to request deletion of server-side records
10.4 Right to Restrict Processing
Request that we limit how we use your data.
10.5 Right to Data Portability
Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
10.6 Right to Object
Object to processing of your data for direct marketing purposes.
10.7 Right to Withdraw Consent
Withdraw your consent at any time through Cookie Settings in the footer.
10.8 Right to Lodge a Complaint
If you believe we have not handled your data properly, you can lodge a complaint with:
Australia: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
- Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 363 992
- Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
European Union: Your local Data Protection Authority
11. Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to children under 13 (or 16 in the EU). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.
12. International Data Transfers
Some of our third-party services (Google, Meta, Stripe) may transfer data internationally. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
- Privacy Shield Framework (where applicable)
- Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, please contact us:
Data Protection Officer Email: dpo@thelearninghive.academy
The Learning Hive Academy Website: https://hive.thelearninghive.academy
Response Time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 7 business days.
14. Policy Updates
This Cookie Policy was last updated on October 19, 2025.
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes in our use of cookies
- Changes in technology or legislation
- Improvements to our privacy practices
When we make material changes:
- The "Last Updated" date at the top will be revised
- You may be asked to review and accept the new policy
- Significant changes will be communicated via email or website notification
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
Version: 1.0.0
Effective Date: October 19, 2025
Previous Version: N/A (Initial version)