Cookies Policy

Cookie Policy – Australian Memoirs™

Last updated: 1 July 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how Australian Memoirs™, operated by New Quiet Empire Pty Ltd, uses cookies and similar tracking technologies across our websites, SaaS memoir writing platform, mobile applications, subscription dashboard, and all associated digital services. By accessing or using our services, you acknowledge and consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Policy and our broader Privacy Policy.

What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies

Cookies Defined: Cookies are small text files containing unique identifiers that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website or use an application. These files are stored by your web browser and can be accessed by the website or service that created them during subsequent visits.

Similar Tracking Technologies: In addition to cookies, we use several related technologies:

  • Local Storage: Browser-based storage that persists data locally on your device for enhanced functionality
  • Session Storage: Temporary browser storage that expires when you close your browser tab
  • Web Beacons (Pixels): Small transparent images used to track user behavior and email interactions
  • Browser Fingerprinting: Collecting device and browser characteristics to create a unique identifier
  • JavaScript Tags: Code snippets that collect information about your interactions with our services
  • Software Development Kits (SDKs): Third-party tools integrated into our mobile applications for analytics and functionality

Why We Use Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We deploy cookies and similar technologies for legitimate business purposes essential to providing our memoir writing services:

Essential Platform Functions:

  • Authenticate users and maintain secure login sessions across the memoir writing dashboard
  • Remember your writing preferences, interface customizations, and accessibility settings
  • Enable core SaaS functionality including auto-save, version control, and collaborative features
  • Facilitate secure payment processing and subscription management
  • Provide customer support functionality and help desk integration
  • Ensure platform security and prevent unauthorized access or fraudulent activity

User Experience Enhancement:

  • Personalize the writing interface based on your memoir project requirements
  • Remember your progress through writing prompts and chapter organization
  • Provide intelligent content suggestions based on your writing patterns and preferences
  • Optimize platform performance and loading times for your specific device and connection
  • Enable seamless navigation between different memoir writing tools and features
  • Support offline functionality and data synchronization when connectivity is restored

Business Intelligence and Improvement:

  • Analyze platform usage patterns to identify popular features and improvement opportunities
  • Monitor technical performance and identify system issues or bottlenecks
  • Understand user journeys through the memoir creation process to optimize workflows
  • Conduct A/B testing on new features and interface improvements
  • Generate anonymized usage statistics for business planning and development priorities

Communication and Support:

  • Enable in-app messaging and notification systems for platform updates and support
  • Facilitate email communications including account notifications and memoir sharing features
  • Support live chat functionality and customer service integrations
  • Track email delivery and engagement for transactional and service-related communications

Detailed Cookie Categories and Specific Uses

Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active) These cookies are essential for our platform to function and cannot be disabled without severely impacting your ability to use our services:

  • Authentication Cookies: auth_token, session_id, user_verification – Maintain your login state and account security
  • Security Cookies: csrf_token, security_hash, login_attempt_counter – Protect against cross-site request forgery and brute force attacks
  • Platform Functionality: dashboard_state, writing_session, auto_save_data – Enable core memoir writing features and data persistence
  • Payment Security: stripe_session, payment_verification – Secure payment processing and subscription management
  • Load Balancing: server_affinity, session_routing – Ensure consistent platform performance and data access

Functional Cookies (Enhance User Experience) These cookies remember your preferences and choices to provide a personalized experience:

  • User Preferences: interface_theme, font_settings, accessibility_options – Remember your customization choices
  • Writing Settings: auto_save_frequency, word_count_display, writing_mode – Maintain your preferred writing environment
  • Language and Localization: user_language, date_format, timezone – Display content in your preferred format
  • Feature Toggles: advanced_features, beta_access, tutorial_completion – Track feature usage and onboarding progress
  • Dashboard Layout: sidebar_collapsed, panel_arrangement, view_preferences – Remember your workspace configuration

Analytical Cookies (Platform Improvement) These cookies collect anonymized data to help us understand usage patterns and improve our services:

  • Google Analytics: _ga, _ga_[container-id], _gid, _gat – Track website and platform usage statistics
  • Platform Analytics: user_journey, feature_usage, performance_metrics – Monitor platform functionality and user behavior
  • Error Tracking: error_session, debug_info, crash_reports – Identify and resolve technical issues
  • Performance Monitoring: page_load_time, api_response_time, user_satisfaction – Optimize platform speed and reliability
  • Conversion Tracking: signup_source, feature_adoption, user_retention – Understand user engagement and platform effectiveness

Marketing and Advertising Cookies (With Consent) These cookies are used for marketing purposes and require your explicit consent:

  • Facebook Pixel: _fbp, _fbc, fbq – Track conversions and optimize advertising campaigns on Facebook and Instagram
  • Google Ads: _gcl_au, _gcl_aw, conversion_data – Measure advertising effectiveness and enable retargeting
  • LinkedIn Insight: _linkedin_data_partner_id, li_mc – Track professional networking platform engagement
  • Retargeting Cookies: retargeting_data, audience_segment, campaign_tracking – Enable personalized advertising based on platform usage
  • Email Marketing: email_engagement, newsletter_preferences, campaign_response – Track email campaign effectiveness and preferences

Third-Party Cookies and External Services

Payment Processing (Stripe):

  • Purpose: Secure payment processing and subscription management
  • Cookies: stripe_sid, stripe_mid, payment_method_data
  • Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy
  • Data Processing: Payment information processed securely through Stripe’s PCI-compliant infrastructure

Backend Services (Supabase):

  • Purpose: Database management, user authentication, and real-time features
  • Cookies: supabase_auth_token, realtime_session, database_connection
  • Privacy Policy: https://supabase.com/privacy
  • Data Processing: User data and memoir content stored securely in Australian data centers

Analytics and Performance (Google Services):

  • Purpose: Website analytics, performance monitoring, and user behavior analysis
  • Cookies: Google Analytics suite, Google Tag Manager, PageSpeed Insights tracking
  • Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
  • Data Processing: Anonymized usage data processed in accordance with Google’s data processing terms

Customer Support (Intercom/Zendesk):

  • Purpose: Live chat support, help desk functionality, and customer communication
  • Cookies: Support session tracking, conversation history, user assistance preferences
  • Data Processing: Support interactions stored securely for service improvement and issue resolution

Email Services (Mailgun/SendGrid):

  • Purpose: Transactional emails, account notifications, and platform communications
  • Cookies: Email delivery tracking, engagement metrics, unsubscribe preferences
  • Data Processing: Email data processed for delivery optimization and communication preferences

AI Services (OpenAI/Anthropic):

  • Purpose: AI writing assistance, content generation, and memoir enhancement features
  • Cookies: AI session tracking, preference learning, usage optimization
  • Data Processing: Content processed securely through encrypted API connections with no permanent storage

Comprehensive Cookie Consent Management

Initial Consent Process: When you first visit our website or platform, you will encounter our cookie consent banner providing clear options:

  • Accept All Cookies: Consent to all cookie categories for full platform functionality
  • Essential Cookies Only: Use only strictly necessary cookies (may limit platform features)
  • Customize Settings: Granular control over each cookie category with detailed explanations
  • Learn More: Access to this comprehensive Cookie Policy for detailed information

Ongoing Consent Management: You can modify your cookie preferences at any time through multiple methods:

  • Cookie Settings Panel: Accessible from the main website footer and platform dashboard
  • Account Preferences: Integrated cookie controls within your user account settings
  • Browser Settings: Direct browser-level cookie management and deletion options
  • Email Unsubscribe: Opt-out links in all marketing communications for advertising cookie removal

Granular Cookie Controls: Our cookie management system provides detailed control options:

  • Category-Based Consent: Enable or disable entire categories of cookies
  • Individual Cookie Control: Manage specific cookies within each category
  • Temporary Consent: Set time-limited consent periods for marketing cookies
  • Automatic Renewal: Choose whether consent renews automatically or requires periodic confirmation

Browser-Based Cookie Management

Universal Browser Controls: All major browsers provide built-in cookie management tools:

Google Chrome:

  1. Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
  2. Choose from: Allow all cookies, Block third-party cookies, Block all cookies
  3. Manage exceptions and view stored cookies by website

Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  2. Configure custom cookie policies and tracking protection levels
  3. Clear cookies and site data selectively or completely

Safari (macOS/iOS):

  1. Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
  2. Prevent cross-site tracking and manage cookie storage
  3. Configure intelligent tracking prevention settings

Microsoft Edge:

  1. Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
  2. Block third-party cookies and manage stored data
  3. Configure tracking prevention levels

Cookie Deletion Impact: Disabling or deleting certain cookies may impact platform functionality:

  • Login Issues: May require frequent re-authentication
  • Lost Preferences: Interface customizations and settings may reset
  • Reduced Functionality: Some memoir writing features may become unavailable
  • Performance Impact: Platform may load slower or behave inconsistently
  • Support Limitations: Customer service features may be restricted

Data Collection Through Cookies

Personal Information Collected: Cookies may collect various types of information to enhance your memoir writing experience:

Technical Information:

  • IP address and approximate geographic location (city/region level)
  • Browser type, version, and language settings
  • Operating system and device type (desktop, tablet, mobile)
  • Screen resolution and color depth
  • Internet connection type and speed
  • Referring website and search terms used to find our platform

Usage and Behavioral Data:

  • Pages visited within our website and platform
  • Time spent on different sections and features
  • Click patterns and navigation paths through memoir creation tools
  • Feature usage frequency and writing session duration
  • Error encounters and technical issues experienced
  • Search queries within our platform and help documentation

Preference and Personalization Data:

  • Writing interface customizations and theme preferences
  • Accessibility settings and font size adjustments
  • Language and localization preferences
  • Notification and communication preferences
  • Beta feature participation and feedback provided

Memoir-Specific Information:

  • Writing progress and completion statistics
  • Chapter organization and memoir structure preferences
  • AI writing assistant usage patterns and effectiveness metrics
  • Content categories and themes being explored
  • Collaboration and sharing preferences for memoir projects

Legal Basis for Cookie Processing

Australian Privacy Law Compliance: Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), our cookie usage is based on:

  • Consent: Explicit consent for non-essential cookies including marketing and analytics
  • Legitimate Interests: Essential cookies required for platform functionality and security
  • Contractual Necessity: Cookies required to deliver subscribed memoir writing services
  • Legal Obligation: Cookies necessary for compliance with taxation and business record requirements

International Compliance Framework: For users from other jurisdictions, we align with applicable regulations:

GDPR (European Union):

  • Explicit Consent: Clear, affirmative consent for all non-essential cookies
  • Granular Control: Ability to consent to specific cookie purposes and withdraw consent
  • Data Minimization: Collection limited to data necessary for specified purposes
  • Right to Object: Ability to object to processing for marketing and profiling purposes

CCPA (California, USA):

  • Transparency: Clear disclosure of personal information collection and sale practices
  • Opt-Out Rights: Right to opt out of the sale of personal information
  • Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices
  • Access Rights: Right to know what personal information is collected and shared

Cookie Data Retention and Deletion

Retention Periods by Cookie Category: Different types of cookies are retained for varying periods based on their purpose:

Session Cookies:

  • Duration: Deleted when browser session ends
  • Purpose: Temporary functionality during active platform use
  • Examples: Login state, shopping cart contents, form data

Persistent Cookies:

  • Essential Cookies: Retained until manually deleted or account termination
  • Functional Cookies: Typically retained for 12 months, renewable with continued use
  • Analytics Cookies: Retained for 26 months (Google Analytics standard)
  • Marketing Cookies: Retained for 13 months, subject to consent renewal

Automatic Cookie Cleanup: We implement automatic cookie management practices:

  • Expired Cookie Removal: Automatic deletion of cookies past their expiration date
  • Inactive Account Cleanup: Cookie deletion for accounts inactive for 24+ months
  • Consent Expiration: Marketing cookies removed when consent expires
  • Privacy Request Processing: Immediate cookie deletion upon user request

Data Protection and Cookie Security

Security Measures for Cookie Data: We implement comprehensive security controls to protect information collected through cookies:

Technical Safeguards:

  • Encryption: All cookies containing personal data are encrypted using AES-256 standards
  • Secure Transmission: Cookies transmitted only over HTTPS connections with TLS 1.3
  • HttpOnly Flags: Security-sensitive cookies marked as HttpOnly to prevent JavaScript access
  • SameSite Controls: Strict SameSite policies to prevent cross-site request forgery
  • Domain Restrictions: Cookies limited to specific domains and subdomains

Access Controls:

  • Role-Based Access: Cookie data accessible only to authorized personnel with legitimate business needs
  • Audit Logging: All access to cookie data logged and monitored for unauthorized activity
  • Regular Reviews: Quarterly access reviews and permission updates
  • Incident Response: Immediate response procedures for any suspected cookie data breaches

International Data Transfers

Cross-Border Cookie Data Processing: Some cookie data may be processed in countries outside Australia:

United States:

  • Service Providers: Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Stripe payment processing
  • Safeguards: Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and adequacy decisions where applicable
  • Data Minimization: Only essential data transferred, with anonymization where possible

European Union:

  • Service Providers: Some analytics and support tools hosted in EU data centers
  • Legal Basis: GDPR adequacy decisions and approved data transfer mechanisms
  • User Rights: Full GDPR rights available for EU residents

Data Transfer Protections:

  • Contractual Safeguards: All third-party providers bound by strict data protection agreements
  • Regular Audits: Annual assessments of international service provider security and compliance
  • Data Localization: Preference for Australian and regional service providers where feasible

Cookie Policy Updates and Changes

Policy Modification Process: This Cookie Policy may be updated to reflect:

  • Changes in cookie usage or new tracking technologies implemented
  • Updates to applicable privacy laws and regulations
  • New third-party service integrations or changes to existing providers
  • User feedback and requests for enhanced privacy controls
  • Business changes affecting data processing practices

User Notification Process: When we make material changes to this Cookie Policy:

Advance Notice:

  • 30-Day Notice: Email notification to all registered users for significant changes
  • Website Banner: Prominent notice on website homepage and platform dashboard
  • Version History: Previous policy versions available for reference and comparison

Consent Re-Collection:

  • Material Changes: Re-collection of consent when cookie purposes or data sharing significantly change
  • Granular Updates: Specific consent requests for new cookie categories or third-party integrations
  • Clear Communication: Plain language explanation of what has changed and why

Your Rights and Choices

Comprehensive Privacy Rights: You have extensive rights regarding cookies and the data they collect:

Access and Information Rights:

  • Cookie Inventory: Request a complete list of cookies stored on your device by our services
  • Data Categories: Understand what types of personal information are collected through cookies
  • Purpose Disclosure: Learn the specific purposes for each cookie and data collection practice
  • Third-Party Sharing: Information about which third parties receive cookie data and why

Control and Management Rights:

  • Granular Consent: Enable or disable specific cookie categories and individual cookies
  • Withdrawal of Consent: Revoke consent for non-essential cookies at any time
  • Data Deletion: Request deletion of all personal data collected through cookies
  • Preference Updates: Modify cookie settings and data processing preferences

Complaint and Resolution Rights:

  • Direct Complaints: Report cookie-related concerns to our privacy team
  • Regulatory Complaints: File complaints with relevant data protection authorities
  • Independent Review: Request third-party review of cookie practices and compliance

Contact Information for Cookie-Related Inquiries

Specialized Cookie Support: Email: cookies@australianmemoirs.com.au Subject Line: “Cookie Policy Inquiry – [Your Specific Topic]”

Privacy and Data Protection: Email: privacy@australianmemoirs.com.au For questions about data collection, usage, and your privacy rights

Technical Cookie Issues: Email: technical-support@australianmemoirs.com.au For problems with cookie functionality, login issues, or platform performance

General Contact Information: Email: enquiries@australianmemoirs.com.au Phone: Contact via email for support arrangements Postal: PO Box 387, Morayfield, QLD 4506, Australia

Response Commitments:

  • Cookie Inquiries: Response within 2 business days
  • Technical Issues: Response within 1 business day, resolution target 3 business days
  • Privacy Concerns: Response within 1 business day, investigation within 5 business days
  • Consent Requests: Immediate processing for consent withdrawal or modification

Regulatory Authority Information

Australian Privacy Regulator: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Phone: 1300 363 992 Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au Website: www.oaic.gov.au

International Regulators (if applicable):

  • EU Data Protection: Contact your local supervisory authority
  • UK Information Commissioner: ico.org.uk
  • California Attorney General: oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa

Agreement and Acknowledgment

By continuing to use Australian Memoirs™ services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy. You consent to our use of cookies and similar technologies as described in this policy, subject to the preferences and controls you have configured.

Your continued use of our services following any updates to this Cookie Policy constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies to enhance your memoir writing experience.

Effective Date: This Cookie Policy is effective as of the “Last updated” date shown above.

Legal Integration: This policy works in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and AI Use Disclosure to provide comprehensive protection for your personal information and digital rights.

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