Cookies policy
1. What are cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, improve user experience, analyze traffic, and enable integrations with third-party services.
Cookies may be:
First-party cookie — set by this website
Third-party cookies — set by external services
Under EU law, some cookies require* prior consent before they can be stored on your device.
2. Legal basis for using cookies
We use cookies based on the following legal grounds under the GDPR:
Strictly necessary cookies
Legal basis: *Legitimate interest* (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR)
These cookies are required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Analytics and functional cookies
Legal basis: *Consent* (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR)
These cookies are only used if you give consent via the cookie banner.
You may withdraw consent at any time.
We do not use advertising or remarketing cookies.
3. How we use cookies
We use cookies to:
* Ensure the website functions correctly and securely
* Improve website performance and usability
* Understand how visitors interact with the website
* Enable forms and newsletter subscriptions
* Enable checkout and payment processing
* Enable embedded media such as videos
4. Types of cookies we use
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation and security of the website. They enable:
* Page navigation
* Security protection
* Cookie consent preferences
* Redirection to secure checkout pages
These cookies do not require consent
Typical retention period: session to 12 months.
4.2 Analytics Cookies (Squarespace)
We use the built-in analytics tools provided by **Squarespace, Inc.** to understand how visitors use the website.
These cookies may collect:
* IP address (shortened/anonymised where possible)
* Pages visited and time spent
* Device and browser information
* Referring website or source
Provider: Squarespace, Inc.
Privacy Policy: [https://www.squarespace.com/privacy](https://www.squarespace.com/privacy)
Retention period: up to 24 months.
These cookies are only placed after you provide consent.
4.3 Functional Cookies and Third-Party Services
These cookies enable key website features and integrations.
Email subscriptions and forms — ConvertKit
We use ConvertKit to manage email subscriptions and forms.
Provider: ConvertKit LLC
Privacy Policy: [https://convertkit.com/privacy](https://convertkit.com/privacy)
Purpose:
* Process newsletter subscriptions
* Remember form submissions
* Prevent spam and abuse
Checkout and cart — ThriveCart
When purchasing a product, you are redirected to our secure checkout provider **ThriveCart**.
Provider: ThriveCart LLC
Privacy Policy: [https://thrivecart.com/privacy/](https://thrivecart.com/privacy/)
Purpose:
* Secure checkout
* Fraud prevention
* Transaction processing
Payment processors — Stripe and PayPal
During checkout, payments may be processed by:
Stripe Payments Europe Ltd
Privacy Policy: [https://stripe.com/privacy](https://stripe.com/privacy)
Purpose:
* Payment processing
* Fraud prevention
* Security and transaction verification
PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A.
Privacy Policy: [https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full](https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full)
Purpose:
* Payment processing
* Fraud prevention
* Risk analysis and security
These providers may place cookies or similar technologies required to securely complete transactions.
We do not receive or store full payment card details.
Embedded video — YouTube
If videos are embedded on this website, YouTube may set cookies when playback occurs.
Provider: Google Ireland Ltd (YouTube)
Privacy Policy: [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)
Purpose:
* Video playback
* Security and abuse prevention
* Performance analytics
YouTube cookies are only activated after consent.
4.4 Social media and external platforms
This website includes links to external platforms:
* Spotify
* Substack
* YouTube
When you click these links, the external platforms may set cookies according to their own policies:
* Instagram: [https://privacycenter.instagram.com/](https://privacycenter.instagram.com/)
* Spotify: [https://www.spotify.com/privacy](https://www.spotify.com/privacy)
* Substack: [https://substack.com/privacy](https://substack.com/privacy)
* Google/YouTube: [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)
We do not control these cookies.
5. Cookie duration
Cookies may be stored for different periods:
Session cookies: deleted when your browser closes
Persistent cookies: stored between 30 days and 24 months depending on their purpose
You may delete cookies at any time via your browser settings.
6. Managing and withdrawing consent
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the **“Cookie Settings”** link available on the website.
You can also block or delete cookies using your browser settings:
Chrome: [https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647)
Safari: [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201265](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201265)
Firefox: [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies)
Edge: [https://support.microsoft.com/help/4027947](https://support.microsoft.com/help/4027947)
Please note that blocking some cookies may affect website functionality.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect legal or technical changes.
Any updates will be published on this page.
8. Contact
For questions about this Cookie Policy or data protection:
Email: valeria@valeriakechichian.com