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, provide a better user experience, and give website owners useful information about how their site is being used.

Cookies can be "persistent" (remaining on your device for a set period or until manually deleted) or "session" cookies (deleted automatically when you close your browser).

This Cookie Policy explains how Shaped ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website shapedsystems.com.

2. How we use cookies

We use cookies for several purposes, categorized as follows:

Essential cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, session handling, and accessibility. Without these cookies, services you have requested cannot be provided.

• Security and fraud prevention
• User session management
• Form submission functionality
• Cookie consent preferences

Legal basis: Legitimate interest (these cookies are exempt from consent requirements under ePrivacy regulations as they are strictly necessary).

Analytics cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This data helps us improve website performance, content, and user experience.

• Google Analytics: Measures page views, session duration, traffic sources, user flow, and device information. Data is anonymized and aggregated.

Legal basis: Consent. These cookies are only placed after you accept them via our cookie banner.

Advertising cookies

These cookies are used to track the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and to deliver relevant content. They help us understand which marketing efforts drive conversions and measure return on advertising spend.

• Meta (Facebook) Pixel: Tracks conversions from Facebook and Instagram ads, enables remarketing audiences, and measures ad performance.

Legal basis: Consent. These cookies are only placed after you accept them via our cookie banner.

3. Specific cookies we use

Below is a detailed list of the cookies used on our website:

Essential cookies

• Cookie consent cookie: Stores your cookie preferences so we don't ask you repeatedly. Duration: 1 year.
• Session cookies: Maintain your session while browsing. Duration: Session (deleted when browser closes).

Analytics cookies (Google Analytics)

• _ga: Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number. Duration: 2 years.
• _ga_[ID]: Used to persist session state. Duration: 2 years.

Advertising cookies (Meta Pixel)

• _fbp: Used by Meta to deliver advertising and track conversions. Duration: 3 months.
• _fbc: Stores click identifier when a user arrives from a Facebook ad. Duration: 3 months.

4. Third-party cookies

Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies and recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these third parties:

• Google Analytics: Google Privacy Policy
• Meta (Facebook): Meta Privacy Policy

These third parties may combine information collected on our site with other information they have collected about you from other websites or services.

5. Managing your cookie preferences

You have several options for managing cookies:

Cookie consent banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in our website footer.

Browser settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from specific sites
• Block all cookies
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser

Instructions for common browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Third-party opt-out tools

• Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Meta (Facebook): Adjust your Facebook Ad Preferences

Impact of disabling cookies

Disabling essential cookies may prevent certain features of the website from functioning properly. Disabling analytics and advertising cookies will not affect your ability to use the website but will limit our ability to improve our services and measure marketing effectiveness.

6. Do Not Track signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to have your online activity tracked.

Because there is no universally accepted standard for how to respond to DNT signals, our website does not currently respond to them. However, you can manage your privacy preferences using the methods described in Section 5.

7. Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in technology, or changes in applicable law.

When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. For significant changes, we may also reset your cookie preferences and ask for your consent again.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

8. More information

For more information about how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

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

Email: david [at] shapedsystems [dot] com
Website: shapedsystems.com