# Cookie Policy / **Last Updated:** January 14, 2025
## 1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Mann Media LLC, doing business as The Smart Investor (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “The Smart Investor”), uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our websites [thesmartinvestor.com](https://thesmartinvestor.com) and [app.thesmartinvestor.com](https://app.thesmartinvestor.com) (collectively, the “Services”).
This policy provides you with clear and comprehensive information about the cookies we use, their purpose, and your choices regarding cookies.
## 2. 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 efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to website owners.
### Types of Storage Technologies We Use:
– **Cookies**: Small text files stored in your browser
– **Local Storage**: Larger data storage in your browser (up to 10MB)
– **Session Storage**: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser
– **Web Beacons/Pixels**: Tiny graphics that track user behavior
– **JavaScript**: Code that may store and retrieve information
## 3. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:
– **Authentication**: To recognize you when you log in and maintain your session
– **Security**: To protect your account and prevent fraud
– **Preferences**: To remember your settings and preferences
– **Analytics**: To understand how you use our Services and improve them
– **Performance**: To ensure our Services load quickly and work properly
– **Marketing**: To track the effectiveness of our affiliate partnerships
– **Functionality**: To provide features like personalized recommendations
## 4. Categories of Cookies We Use
### 4.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be disabled. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|————|———|———-|———-|
| `jwt_access` | Authentication token for user login | 30 minutes | The Smart Investor |
| `jwt_refresh` | Refresh token for maintaining session | 7 days | The Smart Investor |
| `session_id` | Session management | 30 minutes | The Smart Investor |
| `__cf_bm` | Bot protection and security | Session | CloudFlare |
| `cf_clearance` | Security clearance for accessing site | 30 minutes | CloudFlare |
### 4.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Services by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|————|———|———-|———-|
| `_ga` | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years | Google Analytics 4 |
| `_gid` | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours | Google Analytics 4 |
| `_ga_*` | Used to persist session state | 2 years | Google Analytics 4 |
| `_gat_gtag_*` | Used to throttle request rate | 1 minute | Google Analytics 4 |
### 4.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|————|———|———-|———-|
| `user_preferences` | Stores user interface preferences | 1 year | The Smart Investor |
| `widget_config` | Stores dashboard widget settings | 30 days | The Smart Investor |
| `onboarding_state` | Tracks onboarding progress | Session | The Smart Investor |
### 4.4 Marketing/Affiliate Cookies
These cookies track the effectiveness of our affiliate partnerships and marketing campaigns.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|————|———|———-|———-|
| `cj_click` | CJ Affiliate click tracking | 120 days | CJ Affiliate |
| `impact_radius` | Impact tracking | 30 days | Impact |
| `rakuten_click` | Rakuten Advertising tracking | 30 days | Rakuten |
| `mc_*` | MailChimp email campaign tracking | 2 years | MailChimp |
| `referral_source` | Tracks how you arrived at our site | 30 days | The Smart Investor |
### 4.5 Third-Party Cookies
These cookies are set by third-party services we use.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|————|———|———-|———-|
| `fonts.googleapis.com` | Google Fonts optimization | Session | Google |
| `jquery.com` | jQuery CDN functionality | Session | jQuery |
| CloudFlare cookies | Performance and security | Various | CloudFlare |
## 5. Local Storage and Session Storage
In addition to cookies, we use browser storage technologies:
### Local Storage (Persistent)
– **JWT Tokens**: Authentication tokens for maintaining login
– **User Preferences**: Dashboard settings and preferences
– **Form Data**: Temporarily saved form inputs
– **Cache Data**: Cached responses for faster loading
### Session Storage (Temporary)
– **Temporary State**: UI state during your session
– **Navigation History**: For back button functionality
– **Form Progress**: Unsaved form data during session
## 6. Your Cookie Choices
### 6.1 Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
– View what cookies are stored
– Delete existing cookies
– Block all cookies
– Allow cookies from specific sites only
– Receive a warning before a cookie is stored
**How to manage cookies in popular browsers:**
– [Google Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647)
– [Mozilla Firefox](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences)
– [Microsoft Edge](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies-in-microsoft-edge-63947406-40ac-c3b8-57b9-2a946a29ae09)
– [Safari](https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-and-website-data-sfri11471/mac)
### 6.2 Analytics Opt-Out
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking:
– Install the [Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on](https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout)
– Visit [Google's Ads Settings](https://adssettings.google.com)
### 6.3 Impact of Disabling Cookies
Please note that if you disable cookies:
– **Essential Functions**: You may not be able to log in or use core features
– **Personalization**: Your preferences won't be saved
– **Performance**: The site may load slower without cached data
– **Analytics**: We won't be able to improve our Services based on usage data
– **Affiliate Tracking**: We may not receive credit for referrals, which helps fund our free service
## 7. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to be tracked. Currently, there is no uniform standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Our Services do not currently respond to DNT signals.
## 8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy.
Changes to this Cookie Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.
## 9. Cookie Policy for Specific Jurisdictions
### 9.1 California Residents
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have the right to:
– Know what personal information is collected through cookies
– Opt out of the “sale” of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
– Request deletion of personal information collected through cookies
We do not use cookies to sell personal information. Our use of cookies is limited to the purposes described in this policy.
### 9.2 European Union Residents
While our Services are primarily intended for U.S. residents, if you are accessing from the EU:
**Legal Basis for Cookie Use:**
– **Essential Cookies**: Necessary for contract performance
– **Analytics Cookies**: Based on legitimate interests
– **Marketing Cookies**: Based on consent (where applicable)
**Your Rights:**
– Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time
– Object to cookies based on legitimate interests
– Request information about cookies we use
## 10. Cookie-Free Alternatives
If you prefer not to accept cookies, you can still:
– Browse our public content without logging in
– Contact us directly for information at baruch.s@infoforinvestors.com
– Access our content through cookie-free browsers or privacy modes
## 11. Third-Party Cookie Policies
We encourage you to review the cookie policies of our third-party providers:
– [Google Privacy Policy]
– [CloudFlare Cookie Policy]
– [MailChimp Cookie Statement]
– [CJ Affiliate Privacy Policy]
– [Impact Privacy Policy]
– [Rakuten Advertising Privacy Policy]
## 12. Children's Privacy
Our Services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly use cookies to collect information from children under 18.
## 13. Security
We implement appropriate security measures to protect information collected through cookies. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
## 14. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
**Mann Media LLC**
d/b/a The Smart Investor
30 N Gould St, Ste R
Sheridan, WY 82801
Email: baruch.s@infoforinvestors.com
## 15. Consent
**For U.S. Residents**: By continuing to use our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy. We operate on an opt-out basis in the United States, meaning cookies are active by default but you can disable them using the methods described above.
**For International Visitors**: If you are visiting from outside the United States, particularly from the European Union, please note that we use cookies as described in this policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, please adjust your browser settings accordingly or refrain from using our Services.
—
**© 2025 Mann Media LLC. All rights reserved.**