Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 15, 2025
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how A-Line Services ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on SquarePic ("Service"). This policy complies with EU ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC) and GDPR requirements.
Good news: We use minimal cookies and do not track you across the web.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences and provide certain functionality.
We distinguish between:
- First-party cookies: Set by our website directly
- Third-party cookies: Set by external services we use
- Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a set period
3. Cookies We Use
3.1 Essential Cookies (No Consent Required)
These cookies are necessary for the Service to function and cannot be disabled:
| Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|
| jwt | Authentication token stored in localStorage. This token is verified server-side on every request to confirm valid access. | First-party | 30 days or until logout |
| user_email | Stores user email for convenience (localStorage) | First-party | Persistent |
Note on localStorage: We use browser localStorage instead of traditional cookies for authentication. localStorage data persists until explicitly deleted and is only accessible to our website.
Security: Your authentication token (JWT) is validated server-side against our database on every access attempt. This means even if someone modifies local storage, they cannot gain unauthorized access without a valid token that matches an active paid account.
3.2 Analytics (No Tracking Cookies)
We use Plausible Analytics for website statistics:
- No cookies: Plausible does not use cookies or other persistent identifiers
- Privacy-friendly: No personal data collected, no cross-site tracking
- GDPR compliant: Data is anonymized and aggregated
- EU-hosted: All data stored in EU data centers
- See Plausible's data policy
3.3 Error Monitoring (Minimal Data)
We use Sentry for error tracking and performance monitoring:
- Purpose: Identify and fix technical issues
- Data collected: Technical error information, browser type, page URL
- No personal tracking: Does not track individual users across sessions
- Data retention: Error logs retained for 90 days
- See Sentry's privacy policy
3.4 What We DON'T Use
We explicitly do NOT use:
- Advertising cookies
- Social media tracking pixels (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- Third-party marketing cookies
- Cross-site tracking
- Retargeting or remarketing cookies
- Google Analytics or similar invasive analytics
4. Third-Party Services
The following third-party services may process data when you use SquarePic:
4.1 Stripe (Payment Processing)
- Used only during checkout process
- May set cookies for fraud prevention and payment processing
- Subject to Stripe's privacy policy
- Cookies set by Stripe: varies by region, typically includes __stripe_mid, __stripe_sid
4.2 Plausible Analytics
4.3 Sentry
- Does not use traditional cookies
- May store technical session data temporarily for error correlation
- Data is anonymized and not used for tracking
5. Your Choices and Control
5.1 Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings:
- Block all cookies: This will prevent you from logging in to SquarePic
- Delete cookies: Clears stored authentication and preferences
- Third-party cookies: Blocking these won't affect core functionality
Learn how to manage cookies in popular browsers:
5.2 localStorage Management
To clear authentication data stored in localStorage:
- Log out of your account (recommended)
- Or clear your browser's site data/storage for squarepic.app
5.3 Analytics Opt-Out
Since Plausible Analytics doesn't track individuals, there's no need to opt out. However, you can block Plausible's script using:
- Ad blockers (uBlock Origin, AdGuard, etc.)
- Browser privacy extensions
- "Do Not Track" browser setting (though not widely supported)
6. Do We Need a Cookie Banner?
Under EU ePrivacy Directive and GDPR:
- Essential cookies (authentication) do NOT require consent
- Plausible Analytics does not require consent because it doesn't use cookies or track individuals
- Sentry is used for technical purposes and doesn't require separate consent
Conclusion: We do not currently need a cookie consent banner because we don't use non-essential cookies that require consent. If we add such technologies in the future, we will implement a proper consent mechanism.
7. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy if we change how we use cookies or similar technologies. Updates will be reflected on this page with a new "Last updated" date.
If we start using cookies that require consent, we will:
- Implement a cookie consent banner
- Notify existing users via email
- Provide clear opt-out mechanisms
8. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact:
- Email: support@a-line.be
- Mail: A-Line Services, Terweeenstraat 13, 9630 Munkzwalm, Belgium
9. Further Resources
To learn more about cookies and privacy: