Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Flow Auctions, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company ("Flow Auctions," "we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our auction house management platform, marketplace website, mobile applications, dealer platforms, APIs, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform").

This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, which explain how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information. By using our Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy and consent to our use of cookies and similar technologies as described herein.

IMPORTANT: If you do not accept the use of cookies, please adjust your browser settings or use our cookie preference center to manage your choices. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Platform.

2. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?

2.1 Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone, or other connected device) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide reporting information, and enhance user experience.

Types of Cookies by Duration:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser or end your session
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted

Types of Cookies by Source:

• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by Flow Auctions for our Platform functionality
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services integrated into our Platform

2.2 Similar Technologies

We also use other technologies that function similarly to cookies:

• Web Beacons/Pixel Tags: Small transparent images embedded in web pages or emails to track user behavior, email opens, and campaign effectiveness
• Local Storage (HTML5): Browser storage that can hold larger amounts of data than traditional cookies, including localStorage and sessionStorage
• IndexedDB: Browser database for storing structured data and enabling offline functionality
• Device Fingerprinting: Collection of device characteristics (browser type, screen resolution, installed fonts, plugins) to create a unique device identifier
• ETags: HTTP response headers that can be used for caching and tracking purposes
• Service Workers: Scripts that run in the background to enable features like offline functionality, push notifications, and background sync
• Cache Storage: Browser cache used to store static assets and improve loading times for frequently accessed content
• Server-Side Tracking: Tracking methods that don't rely on browser storage, such as IP address tracking and server log analysis

For simplicity, we refer to all these technologies collectively as "cookies" throughout this Policy, unless specifically distinguished.

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of our Platform and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality and security features without which the Platform would not function properly.

Specific Uses:

• Authentication and Session Management: Maintaining user login status and session security
• Security and Fraud Prevention: CSRF protection, bot detection, and suspicious activity monitoring
• Load Balancing: Distributing traffic across servers for optimal performance
• Platform Preferences: Remembering critical user settings and accessibility preferences
• Shopping Cart and Bidding: Maintaining cart contents and auction participation state
• Payment Processing: Securing financial transactions and preventing fraud
• Legal Compliance: Recording consent choices and compliance with regulations

Legal Basis: Legitimate interest and contractual necessity

Retention Period: Session-based or up to 13 months

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our Platform, helping us understand performance, identify issues, and improve user experience.

Specific Uses:

• Traffic Analysis: Understanding page popularity, user flow, and navigation patterns
• Performance Monitoring: Measuring page load times, server response times, and error rates
• A/B Testing: Comparing different versions of features to optimize user experience
• Auction Analytics: Tracking bidding patterns, engagement rates, and conversion metrics
• Error Tracking: Identifying and diagnosing technical issues and bugs
• Heatmaps and Click Tracking: Understanding how users interact with page elements
• Custom Events: Tracking specific user actions relevant to auction functionality

Third-Party Providers:

• Google Analytics: Web analytics and user behavior tracking
• Hotjar: Heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback
• Sentry: Error tracking and performance monitoring
• Mixpanel: Advanced analytics for user behavior and conversion tracking

Legal Basis: Legitimate interest (with opt-out available)

Retention Period: Up to 26 months

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization features that improve your experience on our Platform.

Specific Uses:

• User Preferences: Remembering language, currency, timezone, and display settings
• Dashboard Customization: Saving personalized dashboard layouts and widgets
• Auction House Settings: Storing business-specific configurations and preferences
• Notification Preferences: Managing communication and alert settings
• Accessibility Features: Maintaining accessibility settings like text size and contrast
• Search and Filter Preferences: Remembering frequently used search criteria
• Recently Viewed Items: Displaying recently viewed lots and auctions
• Watchlist and Favorites: Maintaining lists of followed auctions and lots

Legal Basis: Legitimate interest and consent (where required)

Retention Period: Up to 24 months

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver targeted advertisements and measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They track your interests and browsing behavior to show relevant content.

Specific Uses:

• Targeted Advertising: Displaying relevant auction and lot advertisements
• Retargeting: Showing ads to users who have visited our Platform
• Campaign Measurement: Tracking conversion rates and marketing effectiveness
• Lookalike Audiences: Finding similar users for advertising purposes
• Cross-Device Tracking: Recognizing users across different devices
• Social Media Integration: Enabling sharing and social media advertising
• Email Marketing: Personalizing email content based on Platform behavior

Third-Party Advertising Partners:

• Google Ads: Search and display advertising
• Facebook Pixel: Social media advertising and retargeting
• LinkedIn Insight Tag: Professional network advertising
• Trade Publication Networks: Industry-specific advertising platforms

Legal Basis: Consent (required)

Retention Period: Up to 13 months

3.5 Social Media Cookies

These cookies enable social media features and track social media engagement with our Platform.

Specific Uses:

• Social Sharing: Enabling sharing of lots and auctions on social platforms
• Social Login: Allowing authentication through social media accounts
• Social Media Widgets: Displaying social media content and feeds
• Social Analytics: Measuring social media engagement and reach

Legal Basis: Consent (required)

Retention Period: Up to 24 months

4. Detailed Cookie Inventory

Below is a comprehensive list of cookies used on our Platform:

Note: This is a representative sample. A complete, real-time cookie inventory is available through our cookie preference center.

5. Third-Party Cookies and Services

Our Platform integrates with various third-party services that may set their own cookies. We carefully select partners who meet our privacy and security standards.

5.1 Analytics and Performance

• Google Analytics: Web analytics and user behavior tracking
• Google Tag Manager: Tag and code management
• Hotjar: Heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback
• Sentry: Error tracking and performance monitoring
• New Relic: Application performance monitoring

5.2 Marketing and Advertising

• Google Ads: Search and display advertising platform
• Facebook/Meta Business: Social media advertising and analytics
• LinkedIn Marketing Solutions: Professional network advertising
• Twitter Ads: Social media advertising platform
• Trade Publication Partners: Industry-specific advertising networks

5.3 Communication and Support

• Intercom: Customer support chat and messaging
• Mailchimp: Email marketing and automation
• SendGrid: Transactional email delivery
• Twilio: SMS and communication services

5.4 Payment and Security

• Stripe: Payment processing and fraud prevention
• PayPal: Alternative payment processing
• reCAPTCHA: Bot protection and security
• Cloudflare: Content delivery and security services

Important: We do not control third-party cookies. Please review the privacy policies and cookie policies of these third parties to understand their data practices.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Cookie Preference Center

We provide a comprehensive cookie preference center that allows you to:

• View all cookies used on our Platform
• Accept or reject specific cookie categories
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Access detailed information about each cookie
• Download a report of your cookie preferences

6.2 Browser Controls

You can also manage cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome:

• Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Choose from: Allow all cookies, Block third-party cookies, or Block all cookies

Firefox:

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Configure custom cookie and tracking protection settings

Safari:

• Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Choose intelligent tracking prevention levels

Edge:

• Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
• Configure tracking prevention and cookie settings

6.3 Mobile Device Controls

For mobile devices, you can manage tracking through:

• iOS: Settings → Privacy → Tracking (Limit Ad Tracking)
• Android: Settings → Google → Ads (Opt out of Ads Personalization)

6.4 Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable cookies, you may experience limitations in Platform functionality:

7. International Data Transfers

Some of our third-party cookie providers may transfer data outside of your country or region. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

• EU-US Data Privacy Framework: For transfers to certified US companies
• Standard Contractual Clauses: Approved by the European Commission
• Adequacy Decisions: For transfers to countries with adequate protection
• Binding Corporate Rules: For transfers within multinational organizations

8. Legal Basis and Rights

8.1 Legal Basis for Cookie Use

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: Legitimate interest and contractual necessity
• Performance Cookies: Legitimate interest (with easy opt-out)
• Functional Cookies: Legitimate interest and implied consent
• Marketing Cookies: Explicit consent (required)

8.2 Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Right to Withdraw Consent: For cookies requiring consent
• Right to Object: To processing based on legitimate interests
• Right of Access: To information about cookies used
• Right to Data Portability: To receive your cookie preference data
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: With relevant supervisory authorities

9. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control

We respect user privacy preferences and respond to privacy signals:

• Do Not Track (DNT): We honor DNT browser signals for marketing cookies
• Global Privacy Control (GPC): We recognize and respect GPC signals
• California Opt-Out: We honor "Do Not Sell" requests from California residents

When we receive these signals, we automatically adjust cookie settings to respect your preferences while maintaining essential Platform functionality.

10. Cookie Security and Data Protection

We implement robust security measures for cookie data:

• Encryption: Sensitive cookie data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Secure Flags: Cookies containing sensitive data use secure transmission
• HttpOnly Flags: Session cookies are protected from client-side access
• SameSite Attributes: Protection against cross-site request forgery
• Regular Audits: Periodic security reviews of cookie implementations
• Data Minimization: We collect only necessary cookie data

11. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or new technologies. When we make material changes:

• We will post the updated Policy with a new "Last Updated" date
• Notify you through our Platform or email (where appropriate)
• Provide prominent notice for significant changes
• Obtain fresh consent where legally required
• Offer the opportunity to review and update your preferences

Your continued use of our Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.

12. Additional Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy:

• All About Cookies - Independent information about cookies
• Your Online Choices - European opt-out platform
• NAI Opt-Out Tool - Network Advertising Initiative opt-out
• AdChoices - Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out