🍪 Cookie Policy

Effective Date: February 18, 2026 | Last Updated: February 18, 2026

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, phone, tablet) when you visit a website or use an app. They help us remember your preferences and improve your experience.

How HotSpot Uses Cookies

HotSpot uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website (hotspotapp.com) and mobile app to:

Keep you logged in to your account
Remember your preferences and settings
Analyze how you use our services (anonymized)
Improve app performance and fix bugs
Measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns

Types of Cookies We Use

Type	Purpose	Duration	Can Opt-Out?
Strictly Necessary	Essential for login, security, and core functionality	Session or persistent	❌ No - Required for service
Functional	Remember preferences, settings, and language	Persistent (up to 1 year)	✅ Yes - Via settings
Analytics	Understand how you use the app (anonymized)	Persistent (up to 2 years)	✅ Yes - Via settings
Performance	Monitor app performance and fix bugs	Persistent (up to 1 year)	✅ Yes - Via settings

Third-Party Cookies and SDKs

We use the following third-party services that may set cookies or use similar tracking technologies:

Analytics Services

Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis (anonymized)
Mixpanel: Mobile app usage analytics
Amplitude: User behavior analysis

Cloud Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS): Hosting and infrastructure
Firebase: Push notifications and crash reporting

Payment Processing

Stripe: Payment processing (may set cookies for fraud prevention)

Third-party privacy policies:

Mobile App Tracking

iOS (Apple)

On iOS, we use:

IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers): We do NOT track IDFA for advertising purposes
App Tracking Transparency (ATT): We do NOT request tracking permission because we don't use cross-app tracking
Device Identifiers: We may use device ID for analytics and fraud prevention

Android (Google)

On Android, we use:

Advertising ID: We do NOT use Advertising ID for tracking
Device Identifiers: We may use device ID for analytics and fraud prevention

How to Manage Cookies

Website Cookies (hotspotapp.com)

Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to:

View and delete cookies
Block all cookies
Block third-party cookies only
Clear cookies when you close your browser

Browser-specific instructions:

Mobile App Tracking

iOS Settings:

Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking
Toggle "Allow Apps to Request to Track" (we don't request tracking)
Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements
Toggle off "Share iPhone Analytics"

Android Settings:

Settings > Privacy > Ads
Delete advertising ID or opt-out of personalized ads

In-App Settings (Coming Soon)

HotSpot app: Settings > Privacy > Cookie & Tracking Preferences

Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals.

HotSpot's approach:

We recognize Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals for California, Colorado, and other applicable states
We do NOT currently respond to DNT signals (because we don't sell data or use cross-site tracking)

What Happens If You Block Cookies?

If you block or delete cookies:

✅ Website: You can still browse, but may need to log in repeatedly
✅ Mobile App: App functionality will continue (cookies not required for core features)
⚠️ Preferences Lost: Settings and preferences may not be saved
⚠️ Analytics: We can't improve the service based on usage patterns

Children's Privacy

HotSpot requires users to be 17+. We do not knowingly collect cookies or tracking data from children under 17.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Check the "Last Updated" date at the top. Your continued use after changes = acceptance of new policy.

Contact Us

Questions about cookies or tracking?

Email: privacy@hotspot-us.com
Subject: "Cookie Policy Question"