Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2025
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites function properly, remember your preferences, and improve your browsing experience. At Diet Planning Online, we use cookies to understand how readers interact with our editorial content and to enhance site performance.
This policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences. By continuing to browse our site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic functionality such as page navigation, secure areas access, and remembering your cookie preferences.
- Session identification
- Security tokens
- Load balancing
- CSRF protection
2. Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our content. We collect anonymous data about page views, reading patterns, and device types to improve article quality and site structure.
- Page views and bounce rates
- Time spent on articles
- Popular content topics
- Geographic reader location (anonymized)
3. Performance Cookies
These cookies monitor site performance, including page load speed, error tracking, and server response times. This data helps our editorial team maintain fast, reliable content delivery.
- Page load performance metrics
- Error logging and monitoring
- User experience optimization
- CDN performance tracking
4. Preference Cookies
These cookies remember your choices and settings, such as text size, language preferences, and theme selections, to personalize your reading experience.
- Language preference
- Theme selection (light/dark mode)
- Content category preferences
- Display settings
How We Use Cookies
Improving Content Quality
We analyze which articles readers engage with most to guide our editorial priorities and improve article relevance.
Personalizing Your Experience
Cookies help us remember your reading preferences, allowing us to tailor content recommendations and interface settings to your needs.
Maintaining Site Security
Essential cookies protect your session and prevent unauthorized access to your account and preferences.
Monitoring Site Performance
We track loading speeds, server health, and user experience metrics to ensure reliable content delivery.
Supporting Editorial Operations
Anonymous analytics help our editorial team understand reader demographics, interests, and regional content preferences.
Managing Your Cookies
Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View and delete cookies stored on your device
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Enable "Do Not Track" signals
- Set privacy preferences for all cookies
Cookie Consent
When you first visit Diet Planning Online, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can:
- Accept all cookies to enjoy the full experience
- Accept essential cookies only for basic functionality
- Customize your cookie preferences in detail
- Withdraw or change your consent at any time
Note: Disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality and your reading experience. Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are required for the site to operate.
Detailed Cookie List
| Cookie Name | Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| _session_id | Essential | Session | Maintains user session and security |
| _csrf_token | Essential | Session | Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks |
| cookie_consent | Essential | 1 year | Records your cookie consent preference |
| _ga | Analytics | 2 years | Google Analytics user identification |
| _ga_* | Analytics | 2 years | Google Analytics session tracking |
| _gid | Analytics | 24 hours | Google Analytics daily user identification |
| page_views | Analytics | 30 days | Tracks page visit frequency |
| reading_time | Analytics | 30 days | Records time spent reading articles |
| perf_timing | Performance | Session | Monitors page load performance |
| error_log | Performance | 24 hours | Logs technical errors for support |
| user_preferences | Preference | 1 year | Stores theme and layout preferences |
| language | Preference | 1 year | Remembers your language selection |
| text_size | Preference | 6 months | Saves your preferred text size setting |
| bookmarks | Preference | 1 year | Stores your bookmarked articles |
Third-Party Cookies
Our website uses analytics and performance services from trusted third parties. These providers may set their own cookies:
We have data processing agreements in place with all third-party providers to ensure your data is handled responsibly and in compliance with privacy regulations.
Data Retention
We retain cookie data only as long as necessary to serve its intended purpose:
- • Session cookies: Automatically deleted when you close your browser
- • Persistent cookies: Retained according to their specific durations (typically 6 months to 2 years)
- • Analytics data: Aggregated and anonymized within 30 days
- • User preferences: Retained for 1 year unless you manually delete them
Privacy & Security
Your privacy is important to us. Here's how we protect your information:
Encryption
All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS protocol.
Anonymization
Analytics data is processed to remove personally identifiable information and IP addresses are anonymized.
Limited Sharing
We only share necessary information with trusted service providers under strict data processing agreements.
No Tracking Pixels
We do not use hidden tracking pixels or beacons to monitor your activity across other websites.
For more information about how we handle your data, please read our full Privacy Statement.
International Compliance
Diet Planning Online complies with international data protection regulations:
- GDPR (EU): We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation for all EU residents.
- CCPA (California): We honor California Consumer Privacy Act requirements for US residents.
- PIPEDA (Canada): Personal information is handled according to Canadian privacy standards.
- Local Laws: We adhere to data protection laws in all jurisdictions where we operate.
Our commitment to international compliance ensures that your personal information receives consistent protection regardless of your location.
Questions About Your Privacy?
If you have any concerns about how we handle your personal information or would like to exercise your privacy rights, our dedicated support team is here to help.
Email Support
Phone Support
Available Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM EST
Key Privacy Takeaways
Your Data is Secure
Industry-standard encryption and security measures protect your information.
You Have Control
Access, update, or delete your personal data at any time through your account.
We Respect Your Privacy
We never sell your data and are transparent about how we use it.
Last Updated: January 2025
Diet Planning Online reserves the right to update this Privacy Statement at any time. We will notify users of any significant changes via email or through our website.