This Cookies Policy ("Policy") is effective as of [Effective Date] and is applicable to the website merlinlife.com, owned and operated by MerlinLife, Inc., a life settlement broker and paid consultant based in Alabama, United States of America. MerlinLife, Inc. utilizes cookies for functionality, analytics, necessary application form processing, and logging metadata for legal compliance. The Company uses third-party services like Google Analytics and Calendly embed which may set cookies or collect user data. Given that traffic to the website is expected primarily from the United States, a cookie banner has been implemented to allow users to opt-out of non-essential cookies. Users may contact the Company regarding any questions about cookies or data privacy at [email protected].
1. Introduction
This Cookies Policy ("Policy") is designed to inform users ("Users") of MerlinLife.com ("Website"), which is owned and operated by MerlinLife, Inc. ("Company"), about how and why cookies are utilized on the Website. This Policy outlines the scope and purpose of the Company's use of cookies, including for ensuring website functionality, conducting analytics, processing application forms, and logging metadata for legal compliance. By detailing the types of cookies used and users' rights concerning these cookies, the Policy aims to provide transparency and control to the Users. This Policy applies to all Users interacting with the Website from the Effective Date.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small pieces of data or text files that websites store on your device when you visit them. They serve to improve user experience, functionality, and performance of the site by remembering your preferences and login details, monitoring website traffic, or providing personalized content. Cookies can be categorized as either 'session cookies' which are temporary and deleted once you close your browser, or 'persistent cookies' which stay on your device until they expire or are deleted by you.
Some cookies involve the collection of Personal Data, such as IP addresses or identifiers unique to your device. These cookies help the site understand user interactions and improve service delivery, as detailed in Section 7. However, MerlinLife.com ensures that it follows strict protocols for safeguarding your Personal Data and enables you to manage your cookie preferences as outlined in Section 6.
3. Types Of Cookies Used
This section details the various types of cookies used on merlinlife.com and their specific purposes. Cookies are categorized based on their functionality and necessity for the website's performance and user experience.
a. Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the basic functionality of the website. They enable core functionalities such as security, network management, and accessibility. Without these cookies, services like logging into an account or completing forms cannot be provided.
b. Non-Essential Cookies: Non-essential cookies are not vital for the website to function but are used to enhance the user's experience. These may include cookies for personalized content, preferences, and other features that improve the user interface.
c. Analytics Cookies: These cookies are used to collect data about how users interact with the website. They help in understanding user behavior, tracking performance metrics, and improving the website's effectiveness. These cookies may be set by third-party analytics providers such as Google Analytics.
d. Functionality Cookies: Functionality cookies allow additional functionalities like saving preferences or pre-filling forms. They improve user experience by remembering choices users have made and providing enhanced and personalized features.
e. Third-Party Cookies: These cookies are set by third-party services that we use to improve our website and services. Examples include cookies set by embedded Calendly forms for scheduling and interacting with users, or analytics services for gauging web traffic and user engagement. Data collected through these cookies are also subject to the privacy policies of the third-party providers.
4. Details Of Cookies We Use
We utilize various types of cookies on MerlinLife.com to enhance user experience, perform analytics, enable essential functionality, and comply with legal requirements. Below is a detailed list of the cookies we use, categorized by their type, purpose, and duration:
a. Essential Cookies: These cookies are crucial for the basic functioning of our website. Without them, users would be unable to navigate and use various features, such as accessing secure areas or completing forms.
- Purpose: Ensure the website operates efficiently and facilitates user interactions
- Duration: Session-based or up to 2 years
b. Performance Cookies: These cookies collect anonymous data on how users interact with our website, allowing us to improve site performance and offer a better user experience.
- Purpose: Monitor and analyze website usage statistics
- Duration: Typically expires after 6 months to 2 years
c. Functionality Cookies: These cookies help us remember user preferences and past interactions, enhancing personalized user experience.
- Purpose: Save user settings and preferences (e.g., language choices)
- Duration: Up to 1 year
d. Targeting/Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements to users and measure the effectiveness of our campaigns.
- Purpose: Track user behavior and preferences, tailoring ad content
- Duration: Usually expires within 6 months
e. Third-Party Cookies: Cookies set by our third-party service providers, such as Google Analytics and Calendly. These may be used for various purposes including performance analytics and scheduling.
- Purpose: Provide and improve external services embedded on our website
- Duration: As specified by respective third-party providers, typically ranging from session duration to 2 years
5. Third-Party Cookies
This section outlines the use of cookies set by third-party providers, specifically Google Analytics and Calendly, and describes their impact on user data. Third-party cookies are those set by external service providers, distinct from the cookies set by merlinlife.com. These third-party cookies are used to collect information such as website usage statistics, user interactions, and appointment scheduling data to enhance the user experience and improve the functionality of the site.
Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to gather statistical information about user interactions with our website. This helps us understand how visitors use our site, providing insights to improve our content and services. Google Analytics sets cookies to collect data such as the pages users visit, the time spent on each page, and the actions they take. This data is aggregated and anonymized, meaning it cannot be traced back to individual users.
Calendly: We integrate Calendly to facilitate the scheduling of appointments directly through our website. Calendly may set cookies to manage user preferences and ensure the smooth operation of the scheduling tool. These cookies help track appointment bookings and maintain the functionality necessary for an efficient user experience.
The data collected through these third-party cookies is primarily used to analyze website traffic, improve user experience, and streamline appointment scheduling. MerlinLife, Inc. does not share personal data collected through these cookies with unauthorized third parties. Users have the option to manage or disable third-party cookies through their browser settings or via our cookie banner, though doing so may affect the usability of some features of the website.
6. How Users Can Manage Cookies (Cookie Preferences And Opt-Out)
Users of MerlinLife.com have the ability to manage and control the use of non-essential cookies through the Cookie Banner displayed upon visiting the website. This mechanism allows users to make informed decisions about their cookie preferences, thereby enhancing their browsing experience while maintaining control over their personal data. Specific steps to manage cookies include:
a. Acceptance or rejection of non-essential cookies via the Cookie Banner displayed upon the user's initial visit to MerlinLife.com. This banner will provide options to accept all cookies, reject all cookies, or customize cookie preferences.
b. Accessing and modifying cookie preferences at any time through the "Cookie Settings" link available on the website footer, which allows users to revisit their choices and make adjustments as desired.
c. Opting out of cookies set by third-party services like Google Analytics and Calendly through specific opt-out mechanisms provided by these services, links to which will be available in the Cookie Banner or the "Cookie Settings" section.
d. Users who need further assistance regarding cookie preferences or have any questions about data privacy can contact the Company at [email protected].
7. Data Collected And Use Of Information
The Company collects various types of information via cookies, including but not limited to: Personal Data like user-identifiable information such as IP addresses and browsing behavior; device information; session duration; preferences; and other analytics data related to website functionality and user interaction. This information is utilized primarily for the following purposes:
a. Enhancing user experience by remembering preferences
b. Facilitating seamless navigation and functionality of the website
c. Analyzing user behavior to improve website performance and effectiveness
d. Ensuring legal compliance and security
e. Providing personalized services and content
f. Utilizing data for necessary application form processing
Users are assured that Personal Data collected via cookies will not be used beyond the stated purposes and protected in compliance with data privacy laws.
8. Legal Basis For Use Of Cookies
The Company adheres to all applicable legal requirements for the use of cookies, primarily based on user consent and legal compliance obligations. MerlinLife, Inc. ensures that cookies are set and utilized in alignment with the regulations stipulated under both U.S. law and any other relevant jurisdictions.
Users visiting merlinlife.com are presented with a cookie banner, providing them the option to consent to or reject non-essential cookies. This consent mechanism complies with regulatory standards, ensuring users are fully informed about the cookies employed and their respective purposes before giving consent.
Essential cookies necessary for the functioning of the website and for fulfilling the Company's legal and administrative duties are used without obtaining prior user consent. This includes cookies used for functionalities related to analytics, necessary application form processing, and logging metadata for legal compliance purposes.
By continuing to use the website after being informed about our cookie practices through the cookie banner, users implicitly agree to our use of cookies under the terms stated herein. Users also retain the right to modify their cookie preferences or opt-out at any time, as outlined in this Policy.
9. Retention Periods
The duration for which cookies are stored on your device varies based on the type of cookie and its purpose. Our website utilizes both session cookies and persistent cookies. Session cookies are temporary and are deleted from your device once you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a predetermined period or until you manually delete them.
The lifespan of persistent cookies used on our site will be clearly outlined in the cookie details section of this policy (refer to Section 4: Details of Cookies We Use). This information helps ensure transparency and allows you to manage your cookie preferences effectively.
You have the option to delete or manage cookies at any time through your browser settings. For guidance on how to manage cookies, please refer to Section 6: How Users Can Manage Cookies.
10. Sharing And Disclosure
We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our users' data. However, there are certain circumstances under which we may share or disclose cookie data with third parties, including but not limited to:
a. Service Providers: We may share cookie data with third-party service providers that assist us in various aspects of our business operations, including analytics, security, and user interaction optimization.
b. Legal Requirements: We may disclose cookie data if required by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities, such as law enforcement or regulatory bodies.
c. Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, cookie data may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
d. Affiliates: We may share cookie data with our affiliated companies to improve our services and provide users with a seamless experience across our platforms.
e. User Consent: We may share cookie data with third parties if the user has given us explicit consent to do so.
We take reasonable steps to ensure that third parties who receive cookie data uphold privacy protections and comply with applicable laws.
11. User Rights And Choices
Users of merlinlife.com have certain rights regarding their personal data and choices concerning the use of cookies. These rights include:
1. Right to Access and Rectification: Users have the right to request access to their personal data and to correct any inaccuracies. Users can contact the Company at [email protected] to exercise these rights.
2. Right to Erasure: Users can request the deletion of their personal data kept by the Company. Such requests should be directed to [email protected].
3. Right to Object: Users have the right to object to the processing of their personal data, including for direct marketing purposes. Users can exercise this right by contacting the Company.
4. Right to Data Portability: Users are entitled to request the transfer of their personal data to another service provider, where technically feasible.
5. Cookie Management: Users may opt out of non-essential cookies through the cookie banner displayed on the website. For essential cookies, users cannot opt-out, as they are crucial for the functionality of the website.
6. Withdrawal of Consent: Where the processing of data is based on consent, users have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Users who have questions or concerns regarding their rights and choices can contact the Company via the provided email or through other communication methods listed on the website.
12. Updates To This Cookies Policy
The Company reserves the right to update or modify this Cookies Policy at any time. When changes are made, the Company will update the 'Effective Date' at the beginning of this Policy to reflect the date of the most recent revisions. Users are encouraged to periodically review this Policy to stay informed of any updates.
If significant changes are made to how the Company collects or uses cookies, users will be notified either through a prominent notice on the website or via email to the address provided by users, where applicable. Continued use of merlinlife.com following the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.
13. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our use of cookies or our privacy practices, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are committed to addressing any inquiries you may have promptly and thoroughly. You can reach out to us via the following contact details:
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
MerlinLife, Inc.
[Company Address]
Alabama, United States of America
For additional assistance, please visit our website's support section or contact our customer service team directly. Your privacy and the protection of your data are important to us, and we are here to help.
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