Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, improve user experience, and analyze site usage.

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies AtomPing uses, why we use them, and how you can control or disable them.

Cookie vs. Other Tracking Technologies:

• Cookies: Text files stored by your browser
• Local Storage: HTML5 storage for larger data (e.g., dashboard preferences)
• Session Storage: Temporary storage cleared when browser closes
• Web Beacons/Pixels: Invisible images used for analytics (we do NOT use third-party tracking pixels)

AtomPing uses three categories of cookies. Under GDPR, you can consent to or decline non-essential cookies.

1. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Essential)

• Purpose: Required for core service functionality (cannot be disabled)
• Legal Basis: Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) - necessary for contract performance
• Examples:
  • auth_token - JWT authentication session (HttpOnly, Secure)
  • csrf_token - Cross-Site Request Forgery protection
  • session_id - Server-side session identifier
• Retention: Session-based (deleted when browser closes) or 30 days for "Remember Me"
• Third Parties: None (first-party cookies only)

2. Functional/Preference Cookies

• Purpose: Remember your settings and preferences
• Legal Basis: Consent (can be disabled)
• Examples:
  • theme - UI theme preference (light/dark mode)
  • language - Selected language (currently English only)
  • dashboard_layout - Custom dashboard configuration
  • chart_preferences - Default chart timeframes and settings
• Retention: 365 days (persistent cookies)
• Impact if Disabled: You'll need to re-select theme and preferences on each visit

3. Analytics/Performance Cookies

• Purpose: Understand how visitors interact with our marketing pages to improve content and user experience
• Legal Basis: Consent (can be disabled via cookie consent banner)
• Scope: Public pages ONLY (landing, features, tools, legal). Dashboard and admin pages are NOT tracked.
• Data Collected:
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • Click patterns and navigation flow
  • Browser type, OS, screen resolution
  • Referrer (where you came from)
  • IP addresses are anonymized - no personally identifiable information collected
• Third Party: Google Analytics
  • _ga - Main cookie for distinguishing unique visitors (2 years)
  • _gid - Distinguishes users for 24 hours (24 hours)
  • _gat - Used to throttle request rate (1 minute)
• Retention: Up to 2 years (_ga cookie)
• Provider: Google LLC. Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

We Do NOT Use:

• Advertising/targeting cookies
• Marketing tracking pixels (Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, etc.)
• Social media tracking cookies
• Cross-site tracking or fingerprinting
• Google Analytics on dashboard or admin pages (only public marketing pages)

AtomPing uses limited third-party cookies for essential services and analytics. We do NOT use advertising or marketing tracking cookies.

Google Analytics (Analytics - Public Pages Only)

• When: Only on public marketing pages (landing, features, tools, legal)
• Purpose: Understand visitor behavior to improve content and user experience
• Cookies: _ga, _gid, _gat (see Analytics section above)
• Privacy: IP anonymization enabled, no PII collected
• Control: Managed via our cookie consent banner (you can decline)
• Google Analytics Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Opt-out tool: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Stripe (Payment Processing)

• When: Only on checkout/billing pages
• Purpose: Fraud detection, secure payment processing
• Cookies: Stripe sets cookies for PCI-DSS compliance
• Control: Required to process payments (cannot be disabled if using paid plans)
• Stripe Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy

Embedded Content (If Applicable)

• If you embed AtomPing status pages on your website, we use only essential cookies (no tracking)
• If we embed third-party content (e.g., YouTube tutorials), those providers may set cookies (you will be notified)

Detailed list of all cookies used by AtomPing:

Under GDPR and ePrivacy Directive, we must obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies.

First Visit (Cookie Banner)

• You will see a cookie consent banner explaining cookie usage
• Accept All: Enables essential, preference, and analytics cookies
• Reject Non-Essential: Only essential cookies enabled (service still works)
• Customize: Select specific cookie categories

Changing Your Preferences

• Via Dashboard: Account Settings → Privacy & Cookies → Manage Cookie Preferences
• Changes take effect immediately
• Existing cookies of disabled categories are deleted

Implied Consent (Legitimate Interest)

• Essential cookies do not require explicit consent (necessary for service functionality)
• Legal basis: GDPR Article 6(1)(f) - legitimate interest

You have several options to control or disable cookies:

1. Browser Settings

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions

2. Browser Extensions

• Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin, Ghostery (block tracking cookies)
• Note: Blocking essential cookies will break authentication

3. Do Not Track (DNT)

• We respect browser DNT signals
• If DNT is enabled, we automatically disable analytics cookies (preference/essential cookies still active)

4. Incognito/Private Browsing

• Cookies deleted when private browsing session ends
• You will need to log in on each private browsing session

Impact of Disabling Cookies

• All Cookies Disabled: Cannot log in or use AtomPing (essential cookies required)
• Preference Cookies Disabled: Theme and settings reset on each visit
• Analytics Cookies Disabled: No impact on functionality (we won't track your usage patterns)

In addition to cookies, AtomPing uses HTML5 Local Storage and Session Storage for certain features:

Local Storage (Persistent)

• Purpose: Store larger datasets that cookies cannot handle (4KB limit)
• Examples:
  • Dashboard widget configurations
  • Chart zoom/pan state
  • Recently viewed targets (for quick access)
• Retention: Until manually cleared or account deleted
• Control: Browser Developer Tools → Application → Local Storage → Clear

Session Storage (Temporary)

• Purpose: Temporary data for current browsing session
• Examples:
  • Form draft data (prevent data loss on accidental navigation)
  • Wizard/multi-step flow state
• Retention: Deleted when browser tab/window closes

Privacy Note: Local/Session storage data never leaves your browser (not transmitted to our servers unless you explicitly save changes)

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or service features.

Notification Process:

• Minor updates: Posted on this page with updated "Last Modified" date
• Material changes (new cookie categories, third-party services): Cookie consent banner shown again
• You can review version history by emailing support@atomping.com

If you have questions about our cookie practices, please contact us:

• Company: Atomix Apps, LLC
• Jurisdiction: Delaware, United States
• Email: support@atomping.com
• Subject Line: "Cookie Policy Question"

Related Policies:

• Privacy Policy - Comprehensive data practices
• GDPR Compliance - EU data protection rights