Cookie Policy
Effective Date: November 1, 2025
Last Updated: November 13, 2025
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to the website owners.
Cookies typically contain:
The name of the website that created the cookie
A unique identifier
An expiration date
Other information the website needs to function
At the Gregorian Chant Academy ("GCA," "we," "us," or "our"), we use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience, understand how our services are used, and deliver relevant content.
Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies for several important purposes:
Essential Functions
Keep you logged into your account as you navigate our courses
Remember your progress through course materials
Process payments securely
Maintain your privacy and security preferences
Improved Experience
Remember your language and regional preferences
Save your video playback settings
Maintain your course bookmarks and notes
Remember which content you've already viewed
Analytics and Performance
Understand how visitors use our website
Identify popular content and areas needing improvement
Diagnose technical issues
Measure the effectiveness of our educational methods
Marketing and Communication
Show you relevant course recommendations
Deliver targeted advertisements on other platforms
Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
Understand which channels bring students to us
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
Purpose: These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. Without them, you cannot access key features like your courses, account, or make purchases.
Examples:
Authentication cookies (keeping you logged in)
Security cookies (protecting against fraud)
Load balancing cookies (distributing traffic efficiently)
Shopping cart cookies (remembering items during checkout)
Duration: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or up to 1 year
Can you disable them? No. These are required for the website to work. Disabling them will prevent you from using essential features.
Cookies in this category:
gca_session - Maintains your login session
gca_csrf_token - Security protection
gca_secure - Ensures secure connection
__stripe_mid / __stripe_sid - Payment processing (Stripe)
2. Performance and Analytics Cookies
Purpose: These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous information about page visits, time spent, and navigation patterns.
Examples:
Google Analytics cookies
Course completion tracking
Video engagement metrics
Page load time monitoring
Duration: Up to 2 years
Can you disable them? Yes. These cookies improve our services but are not essential for basic functionality.
Cookies in this category:
_ga - Google Analytics (distinguishes users)
_gid - Google Analytics (distinguishes users)
_gat - Google Analytics (throttles request rate)
ga<container-id> - Google Analytics (session data)
gca_analytics - Our internal analytics
Third parties: Google Analytics (Google LLC)
Privacy Information: Google Analytics Privacy Policy
3. Functional Cookies
Purpose: These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and choices.
Examples:
Language preference
Video playback speed
Notification settings
Content display preferences
Duration: Up to 1 year
Can you disable them? Yes, but your experience may be less personalized.
Cookies in this category:
gca_language - Your language preference
gca_volume - Audio/video volume settings
gca_playback_speed - Video speed preference
gca_theme - Display theme (light/dark mode)
gca_timezone - Your timezone for scheduling
4. Marketing and Advertising Cookies
Purpose: These cookies track your activity across websites to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness.
Examples:
Facebook Pixel
Google Ads conversion tracking
Retargeting cookies
Email campaign tracking
Duration: Up to 2 years
Can you disable them? Yes. These are used for marketing purposes only.
Cookies in this category:
_fbp - Facebook Pixel (tracks visits)
fr - Facebook (advertising delivery)
gclau - Google Ads (conversion tracking)
IDE - Google DoubleClick (advertising)
test_cookie - Google DoubleClick (checks if cookies are enabled)
Third parties:
Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.)
Google Ads (Google LLC)
YouTube (Google LLC - for embedded videos)
Privacy Information:
5. Social Media Cookies
Purpose: These cookies are set by social media platforms when you share our content or interact with social media features on our website.
Examples:
YouTube embedded video cookies
Facebook share/like button cookies
Social media authentication
Duration: Varies by platform (typically up to 2 years)
Can you disable them? Yes, but social sharing features may not work properly.
Cookies in this category:
YouTube: VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, YSC, PREF
Facebook: datr, sb, c_user
Third parties: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X
Other Tracking Technologies
In addition to cookies, we use similar technologies:
Web Beacons (Pixels)
Small transparent images embedded in web pages or emails that track when content is viewed. We use these to:
Measure email open rates
Track video views
Monitor page visits
Local Storage
Browser storage that allows us to save data locally on your device, such as:
Course progress
Draft content (e.g., forum posts you're writing)
Offline access to certain materials
Session Storage
Temporary storage that is cleared when you close your browser tab, used for:
Form data during navigation
Temporary authentication tokens
How Long Do Cookies Last?
Cookies have different lifespans:
Session Cookies: Temporary cookies deleted when you close your browser (used for login, shopping cart)
Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period:
Short-term: Hours to days (e.g., shopping cart cookies)
Medium-term: Weeks to months (e.g., preference cookies)
Long-term: Up to 2 years (e.g., analytics and marketing cookies)
All cookies have an expiration date, after which they are automatically deleted.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have several options to control cookies:
1. Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can:
Accept All - Allow all cookies for the best experience
Reject Non-Essential - Allow only necessary cookies
Customize - Choose specific cookie categories
Learn More - Read this Cookie Policy
2. Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to:
View cookies stored on your device
Delete individual or all cookies
Block cookies from specific websites
Block all third-party cookies
Receive notifications when cookies are set
How to manage cookies in popular browsers:
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 > Manage cookies
Mobile devices: Settings > Safari/Chrome > Privacy > Block Cookies
Important: Blocking all cookies may prevent you from accessing essential features of our website, including logging in and accessing your courses.
3. Third-Party Opt-Out Tools
You can opt out of targeted advertising through:
Google Ads: Google Ad Settings
Facebook Ads: Facebook Ad Preferences
Industry Tools: Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) Your Online Choices (EU)
4. Google Analytics Opt-Out
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
5. Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" setting. Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Our website does not change behavior based on DNT signals, but you can control cookies through the methods above.
Cookies and Your Privacy
What Information Do Cookies Collect?
Cookies may collect:
Technical information: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
Usage information: Pages visited, links clicked, time spent, course progress
Preference information: Language, settings, saved preferences
Identifier information: Unique cookie IDs, session IDs
Important: Cookies themselves do not contain personal information like your name or email. However, cookie data may be linked to your account information when you're logged in.
Are Cookies Secure?
We implement security measures to protect cookie data:
Cookies are transmitted over secure HTTPS connections
Sensitive data in cookies is encrypted
Authentication cookies have limited lifespans
We regularly audit our cookie usage
However, you should also protect yourself:
Log out after using shared computers
Clear cookies on public devices
Keep your browser and device updated
Use strong, unique passwords
Third-Party Cookies and Privacy
Third-party cookies (e.g., from Google, Facebook) are governed by those companies' privacy policies. We carefully select partners and require them to protect your data, but we recommend reviewing their privacy policies:
Your Rights Regarding Cookies
Depending on your location, you may have specific rights:
All Users
Right to refuse non-essential cookies
Right to delete cookies from your device
Right to understand what cookies are used
EEA/UK Users (GDPR/PECR)
Right to withdraw cookie consent at any time
Right to access information about cookies
Special protections for cookies that process personal data
California Users (CCPA)
Right to opt-out of the "sale" of personal information (including via cookies)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising cookie choices
Cookies for Logged-In Users
When you're logged into your GCA account, we use additional cookies to:
Track your course progress
Remember your lesson bookmarks
Save your quiz answers
Synchronize across devices
Provide personalized recommendations
These cookies contain identifiers that link to your account and may be considered personal data under privacy laws. See our Privacy Policy for more information.
Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
Changes in cookie technology
New features or services
Legal or regulatory requirements
Changes in our business practices
When we update this policy:
We'll update the "Last Updated" date
We'll notify you through our cookie banner if changes are significant
Your continued use constitutes acceptance of changes
We recommend reviewing this policy periodically.
Questions About Cookies
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
Privacy Contact:
Gregorian Chant Academy
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gregorianchantacademy.com
Consent and Acceptance
By clicking "Accept" on our cookie banner or continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy.
You can change your cookie preferences at any time through:
Our cookie preference center (linked in the footer)
Your browser settings
Contacting us directly
Thank you for taking the time to understand how we use cookies. Our goal is to provide you with a secure, personalized, and enriching experience as you grow in the sacred tradition of Gregorian chant.
Ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus
The Gregorian Chant Academy Team
Quick Reference: Cookie Summary Table
Cookie Category Purpose Can Disable? Duration Examples Strictly Necessary Essential site functions No Session - 1 year Login, security, payments Performance Analytics and improvements Yes Up to 2 years Google Analytics Functional Personalization and preferences Yes Up to 1 year Language, settings Marketing Advertising and retargeting Yes Up to 2 years Facebook Pixel, Google Ads Social Media Social sharing features Yes Up to 2 years YouTube, Facebook
Last Reviewed: November 13, 2025