Contents
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide information to site owners about how their site is being used.
In addition to cookies, we use similar technologies such as localStorage and sessionStorage — browser-based storage mechanisms that serve similar functions. This policy covers all such technologies collectively referred to as "cookies."
We keep our cookie use minimal. We do not use advertising cookies or cross-site trackers. Our cookies are limited to what is necessary to operate the Service and understand how it's being used.
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Keep you signed in during your session and across visits (authentication)
- Remember your settings and preferences (theme, language, layout choices)
- Understand how visitors use our site so we can improve it (analytics)
- Ensure the Service functions correctly (functional/session cookies)
- Prevent abuse and protect security (security cookies)
We do not use cookies for:
- Targeted or behavioral advertising
- Cross-site tracking or profiling
- Selling or sharing your browsing activity with advertisers or data brokers
3. Cookie Categories
4. Specific Cookies We Use
4.1 Authentication & Session
| Cookie / Key | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
iconic_token |
localStorage | Stores your JWT authentication token to keep you signed in | 7 days or until logout |
session |
HTTP cookie | Server-side session identifier for authenticated requests | Session (browser close) |
iconic_session |
HTTP cookie (httpOnly) | Secure session cookie for authenticated page views | 7 days |
4.2 Preferences
| Cookie / Key | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
iconic-theme |
localStorage | Stores your selected display theme (light or dark mode) | Persistent (until cleared) |
pwa-dismissed |
localStorage | Records whether you dismissed the app install prompt | Persistent (until cleared) |
cookie-consent |
localStorage | Records your cookie consent choice | 1 year |
announcement-dismissed |
sessionStorage | Tracks whether you dismissed the announcement bar this session | Session (browser close) |
4.3 Analytics
| Cookie / Key | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server-side logs | Server log (no client cookie) | Aggregated page view and feature usage analytics (IP anonymized) | 12 months (server-side) |
We do not currently use third-party analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics). Usage analytics are processed server-side from anonymized log data.
4.4 Security
| Cookie / Key | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
oauth_state |
In-memory (server-side) | CSRF state token for OAuth authorization flows | 15 minutes |
x-request-id |
HTTP header | Request tracing for security auditing | Session |
5. Third-Party Cookies
5.1 Stripe (Payment Processing)
When you complete a purchase, Stripe may set cookies to facilitate secure payment processing and fraud prevention. These cookies are governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy. We do not control Stripe's cookies.
5.2 Embedded Content
Some pages may include embedded content from YouTube, SoundCloud, or other platforms (e.g., course videos, audio samples). These third-party services may set their own cookies when you interact with embedded content. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies directly.
We minimize the use of third-party embeds and, where possible, use privacy-preserving embed modes (e.g., YouTube's no-cookie domain).
5.3 No Advertising Networks
We do not use cookies from advertising networks, social media pixels (Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel, etc.), or any behavioral targeting services. We have no third-party trackers for advertising purposes on this site.
6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
6.1 Browser Settings
You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View what cookies are stored and delete them individually or in bulk
- Block all cookies or specific types of cookies
- Be notified when a new cookie is set
Instructions for managing cookies in popular browsers:
Note: Blocking strictly necessary cookies (session and authentication cookies) will prevent you from accessing your account and using protected features of the Service.
6.2 Clearing localStorage
Some of our preference and session data is stored in your browser's localStorage rather than as cookies. To clear this data, use your browser's developer tools or clear all site data for thehumandesignsystem.com in your browser settings.
6.3 Opting Out of Analytics
Our analytics are server-side and based on anonymized log data, not client-side cookies. There is no browser-based opt-out mechanism required. If you are in the EU/EEA, analytics processing is based on our legitimate interest in improving the Service; you may object to this processing by contacting us via the contact form.
7. Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting. Because we do not engage in cross-site tracking for advertising purposes, our responses to DNT signals are consistent regardless of DNT status: we do not track you across third-party websites.
We note that there is currently no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals; as such, we do not alter our data practices based on browser DNT settings.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time as we add or remove technologies or as legal requirements change. We will post any changes on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. For material changes, we will also provide notice via email or a banner on the site.
Questions About Cookies?
If you have questions about how we use cookies or want to exercise data rights related to cookie data, contact us via the web form.
Related: Terms of Service · Privacy Policy