Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you browse websites. They are widely used by web developers to make websites function properly, deliver enhanced user experiences, provide website security, and communicate anonymous analytics and advertising data to third-party providers.

This Cookie Policy provides clear, transparent explanations about how ProfileCrest (operated by CodeCrest Studio) and our third-party technology partners employ cookies, web beacons, and local web storage (localStorage) across our application.

2. Essential First-Party Cookies & Local Storage

ProfileCrest requires certain state-saving mechanisms to enable basic application functionality. Unlike commercial web apps that store user profiles on centralized databases, ProfileCrest uses client-side browser localStorage to store:

• Profile Form State: Your selected GitHub username, bio bullet points, social media handles, and technical stack preferences. This prevents accidental data loss if you refresh or navigate away from the generator wizard.
• Interface Preferences: Selected language (English, Spanish, Hindi) and preview mode toggle settings (Rendered Markdown vs. Raw Markdown Code).

These first-party items are technically necessary for the core service to function and do not track you across other websites.

3. Analytics Cookies (Microsoft Clarity)

We use Microsoft Clarity to capture how visitors interact with our website through behavioral metrics, heatmaps, and anonymous session replays to improve and optimize our product and services.

Website usage data is captured using first and third-party cookies and other tracking technologies to determine the popularity of features and online activity. Microsoft collects or receives personal data from you to provide services such as advertising. For more information about how Microsoft collects and uses your data, visit the Microsoft Privacy Statement.

4. Google AdSense & Advertising Cookies

ProfileCrest displays advertisements served by Google AdSense (Google LLC) to sustain the free hosting, domain infrastructure, and continuous maintenance of our open-source tools without charging subscription fees.

• DoubleClick / DART Cookies: Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on ProfileCrest. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visit to ProfileCrest and/or other sites on the Internet.
• Personalized vs. Non-Personalized Ads: Users in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, and California are served ads in accordance with applicable GDPR, UK-GDPR, and CCPA/CPRA privacy laws. Where consent is required, Google adheres to IAB Europe Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) guidelines.
• Third-Party Ad Networks: Certified third-party vendors and ad networks may also serve ads on ProfileCrest. You can inspect certified Google ad technology providers via Google's official documentation.

5. How to Control & Opt Out of Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can exercise your choices through multiple mechanisms:

• Google Ads Settings: You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.
• Industry Opt-Out Platforms: You can opt out of third-party vendor interest-based advertising by visiting AboutAds.info or the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI). Users in Europe can utilize Your Online Choices.
• Browser Settings: You can configure your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) to block cookies, delete existing cookies, or notify you when a cookie is set. Note that disabling localStorage may prevent ProfileCrest from saving your generated profile drafts.

6. Contact CodeCrest Studio

If you have any questions or comments about our use of cookies, tracking technologies, or data privacy practices, please contact us directly:

Email: codecreststudio@gmail.com
Official Website: https://codecreststudio.vercel.app
Support Form: ProfileCrest Contact Support