Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Lexiswap ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies across our social language exchange platform, including our website, mobile applications, and related online services (collectively, the "Services"). This policy explains what these technologies are and why we use them, as well as your rights to control our use of them.

2. What are Cookies and Similar Technologies?

Cookies are small data files stored on your browser or device that allow us to recognize your browser or device and remember certain information when you return to our Services. They help our Services function properly and enable personalized features.

Pixels (also known as web beacons or tags) are small blocks of code placed on websites and emails that allow us to read and place cookies, track when you view content, and understand how you interact with content.

Local storage allows websites to store information locally on your browser or device to improve your experience, such as remembering your login status between sessions.

Software Development Kits (SDKs) are blocks of code provided by our partners that may be installed in our mobile applications. SDKs help us understand how you interact with our mobile applications and collect certain information about your device and network.

3. How We Use These Technologies

As a social platform connecting language learners worldwide, we use cookies and similar technologies for various purposes, including:

• Authentication and Security: To verify your account and prevent unauthorized access, detect suspicious activities, and protect against fraud.
• Social Features: To enable core social networking functionality, such as sharing content, connecting with other users, and personalizing your feed based on your interests and interactions.
• Preferences: To remember information about how you prefer to use our Services, such as your preferred languages, learning goals, and interface settings.
• Analytics and Research: To understand how you use our Services, monitor platform performance, and identify areas for improvement.
• Personalized Content: To deliver relevant language learning material, suggest potential language exchange partners, and customize your experience.
• Advertising: To deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads, understand which ads you might find useful, and limit how many times you see an ad.
• Communication Features: To enable messaging and notification functionality between users.

4. Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following categories of cookies and similar technologies:

4.1 Essential Cookies

These are necessary for our Services to function properly and securely. They enable basic functions like page navigation, account authentication, and security features. You cannot opt out of these cookies if you want to use our Services.

4.2 Functional Cookies

These help us provide 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 disable these cookies, some or all of these features may not function properly.

4.3 Social and Content Cookies

These cookies enable social sharing, commenting, and other interactive features of our platform. They help us understand how users engage with our content and with each other, which improves the social experience of our Services.

4.4 Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how users interact with our Services, helping us analyze and improve them. They allow us to understand usage patterns, identify popular features, and detect issues.

4.5 Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to show you relevant advertisements on and off our platform. They help us measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns and limit the number of times you see an ad.

5. Your Choices and Controls

We provide several ways to manage cookies and similar technologies:

• Cookie Settings: When you first visit our Services, you will be presented with a cookie banner that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies.
• Browser Controls: Most browsers let you manage cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the "preferences" or "settings" menu of your browser.
• Mobile Device Settings: Your mobile device may provide settings to manage tracking for advertising.
• Industry Opt-Out Tools: You can opt out of interest-based advertising through industry tools like the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA), the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI), or the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA).

Please note that if you choose to block or delete cookies, certain features of our social platform may not work correctly, and your preferences may be lost. Additionally, opting out of interest-based advertising does not mean you will stop seeing ads, just that they may be less relevant to your interests.

6. Cookies on Our Social Features

As a social platform, some cookies are essential for core functionality. For example, we use cookies to:

• Remember your login status so you don't have to log in every time you visit
• Enable messaging between language exchange partners
• Support content sharing and social interactions
• Maintain your language preferences and learning progress
• Remember which notifications you've seen

7. Third-Party Social Media Cookies

Our Services may include features from third-party social media platforms (such as the Facebook "Like" button). These platforms may set cookies that recognize you when you subsequently visit their sites. We have no control over these third-party cookies. We encourage you to check the privacy policies and cookie settings of these social media platforms.

8. Updates to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our business practices. Any changes will become effective when we post the revised policy. We encourage you to periodically review this page to stay informed about our use of cookies.