Cookie Policy
Last Updated: January 15, 2025 Effective Date: January 15, 2025
Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Green Card Trips (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website at https://greencardtrips.com (the “Website”).
We believe in transparency and your right to privacy. This policy will help you understand what cookies are, which ones we use (spoiler: very few), and how you can control them.
This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle your personal information.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit them. They help websites remember information about your visit, like your preferences or which pages you viewed.
Think of cookies like a bookmark - they help the website remember where you’ve been and what you’ve done, so your next visit can be more personalized and efficient.
Types of Cookies
First-party cookies are set by the website you’re visiting (in this case, greencardtrips.com).
Third-party cookies are set by someone other than the website owner - usually services that the website uses, like analytics tools.
Cookies can be session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (stay on your device for a set period or until you delete them).
Cookies We Use
We only use Google Analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our website.
We do NOT use:
- Advertising cookies
- Social media tracking cookies
- Marketing cookies
- Profiling cookies
- Cookies that sell your data to third parties
Here are the specific cookies we use:
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors and calculates visitor, session, and campaign data | 2 years | Analytics |
| ga | Google Analytics | Stores and counts pageviews | 2 years | Analytics |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors | 24 hours | Analytics |
That’s it. These three cookies are the only ones we use.
Why We Use Cookies
We use Google Analytics cookies to:
- Understand website traffic: See how many people visit our site and which pages they view
- Improve user experience: Identify which content is most helpful so we can create more of it
- Support our community: Learn what information green card holders need most on their path to citizenship
- Fix problems: Detect technical issues and broken links
We do NOT use cookies to:
- Track you across the internet
- Show you targeted advertisements
- Sell your information to third parties
- Build detailed profiles about you
- Follow you to other websites
Your privacy matters to us. Our mobile app stores all your trip data locally on your device, and we apply the same privacy-first approach to our website.
Cookie Categories
Strictly Necessary Cookies
None. Our website works perfectly fine without any cookies. We don’t use cookies for essential website functionality.
Analytics Cookies
Google Analytics only. These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website. They are optional - you can opt out and still use our website normally.
Marketing/Advertising Cookies
None. We don’t use any advertising or marketing cookies.
Social Media Cookies
None. We don’t embed social media tracking on our website.
Your Cookie Choices
You are always in control of cookies. Here are your options:
1. Use Our Cookie Consent Banner
Depending on where you’re located, you’ll see a cookie consent banner when you first visit our website. You can:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject non-essential cookies (which means no Google Analytics)
- Customize your preferences
2. Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your web browser. Most browsers let you:
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete existing cookies
- Be notified when websites set cookies
See the “How to Manage Cookies” section below for browser-specific instructions.
3. Google Analytics Opt-Out
You can opt out of Google Analytics specifically by:
- Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Using the settings in our cookie consent banner
Important: Blocking or deleting cookies won’t affect your ability to use our website. All core functionality works without cookies.
Geolocation-Based Consent
We respect privacy laws around the world and adjust our cookie consent process based on where you’re located:
European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA)
If you’re visiting from the EU/EEA, you’ll see an opt-in consent banner. We won’t set analytics cookies until you explicitly agree. This complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive.
California, USA
If you’re visiting from California, you’ll see a notice that includes information about your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to opt out of data “sales” (though we don’t sell your data).
Other Locations
Visitors from other locations may see different notices based on their local privacy laws. We may use a less intrusive notice or an opt-out approach rather than opt-in.
How Geolocation Works
We determine your approximate location based on your IP address. This detection happens on your device and is not stored or tracked. It’s only used to show you the appropriate cookie consent banner.
How to Manage Cookies
You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Here’s how:
Google Chrome
- Click the three dots menu (top right) > Settings
- Click “Privacy and security” > “Cookies and other site data”
- Choose your preferred settings or click “See all cookies and site data” to manage individual cookies
- Learn more about Chrome cookie settings
Mozilla Firefox
- Click the menu button (top right) > Settings
- Select “Privacy & Security”
- Under “Cookies and Site Data,” click “Manage Data” or adjust settings
- Learn more about Firefox cookie settings
Apple Safari
- Go to Settings > Safari (iOS) or Safari menu > Preferences (Mac)
- Click “Privacy”
- Adjust cookie settings or click “Manage Website Data”
- Learn more about Safari cookie settings
Microsoft Edge
- Click the three dots menu (top right) > Settings
- Click “Cookies and site permissions” > “Cookies and site data”
- Choose your preferred settings or click “Manage and delete cookies and site data”
- Learn more about Edge cookie settings
Google Analytics Opt-Out
Install the official Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent Google Analytics from tracking you across all websites.
Impact of Blocking Cookies
If you block or delete cookies:
- Our website will continue to work normally
- We won’t be able to see aggregated analytics about how our website is used
- You may need to adjust your cookie preferences again if you clear all browser data
Third-Party Cookies
Google Analytics is the only third-party service that sets cookies on our website.
Google Analytics helps us understand how visitors use our site by collecting anonymous usage statistics. Google processes this information according to their privacy policy.
You can learn more about how Google uses data from sites that use their services:
We have configured Google Analytics to:
- Anonymize IP addresses
- Not share data with other Google services
- Not use data for Google’s own advertising purposes
No other third parties have access to information collected through our website cookies.
Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other reasons.
When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
- Notify you through a prominent notice on our website
- In some cases, send you an email notification (if you’re a registered user)
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
Changes to this Cookie Policy are effective when posted. Your continued use of our website after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, cookies we use, or your privacy choices, please contact us:
Email: support@greencardtrips.com Website: https://greencardtrips.com
We’re here to help and committed to protecting your privacy as you pursue your journey to U.S. citizenship.
About Green Card Trips
Green Card Trips is a mobile app that helps U.S. green card holders track their physical presence in the United States to qualify for citizenship. We store all your trip data locally on your device - we never collect, store, or share your personal information with anyone. Your privacy and security are our top priorities as you work toward achieving your American dream.
