Cookies Policy

Last updated: September 22, 2026

What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They allow the site to remember actions and preferences over time such as language settings or login status. Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels and local storage that can store or access information on your browser or device. These tools can record details like IP address, browser type, pages visited and time spent on the site. On an informational platform focused on Canadian street life and communities, such technologies help maintain basic functionality without collecting unnecessary personal data.

Why We Use Cookies on This Site

theatrevoxa.org operates a non-commercial informational website dedicated to visual stories of neighborhoods, street life, local communities and everyday moments across Canada. Cookies support reliable delivery of content, remember user choices such as content filters or reading preferences and help measure overall usage patterns. Because the site does not sell products or run advertising campaigns, the primary goal is to ensure pages load correctly and that visitors can navigate smoothly while exploring photo essays and community features.

Categories of Cookies and Similar Technologies

We group cookies into five main categories. Strictly necessary cookies enable core functions such as page navigation and security. Functional cookies remember preferences like display settings. Analytics or performance cookies gather aggregated statistics on how visitors move through articles and galleries. Advertising or targeting cookies are not used because the site is non-commercial. Social-media cookies may appear only if embedded sharing tools from external platforms are present, but these are limited and require separate consent where applicable.

First-Party Versus Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by theatrevoxa.org and stay within our domain. They handle essential tasks such as keeping a session active while you browse photo collections. Third-party cookies come from external providers such as content delivery networks or analytics services. These may appear when images or scripts load from partner domains. We limit third-party involvement to services that respect Canadian privacy expectations and provide clear disclosures about their own data handling.

Session Versus Persistent Cookies and Retention Periods

Session cookies exist only while your browser is open and are deleted automatically when you close it. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. For example, a functional preference cookie might last thirty days to retain your chosen view mode. Analytics cookies typically expire after thirteen months. Retention periods are chosen to balance usefulness with data minimization principles required under Canadian privacy frameworks.

Data Handled and Specific Purposes of Each Category

Strictly necessary cookies process technical identifiers needed for page delivery and security checks. Functional cookies store non-identifying settings such as preferred image size. Analytics cookies collect aggregated metrics like number of page views or bounce rates to improve content organization. No category captures names, addresses or contact details. All processing supports the site mission of presenting Canadian street photography and community narratives in an accessible way.

Consent or Exemption Basis Under Canadian Law

Canadian privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and applicable provincial laws, requires meaningful consent for non-essential cookies. Strictly necessary cookies operate under an exemption because they are required for the site to function. All other categories rely on explicit consent collected through the site-wide cookie banner. Visitors may withdraw consent at any time without affecting access to essential features. The banner records choices and stores them in a first-party cookie for twelve months.

Cookie Providers and Detailed Information

The following list summarizes the main cookies in use. Essential session cookie named PHPSESSID is set by our server, category strictly necessary, duration until browser closes. Preference cookie named view_mode is first-party, functional, expires after thirty days. Analytics cookie named _ga is provided by a measurement service, category analytics, duration thirteen months. Each entry lists only information necessary for transparency and does not include personal identifiers.

How the Consent Manager Works and Changing Choices

The cookie banner appears on first visit and offers options to accept all, reject non-essential or customize selections. Once saved, preferences are stored locally. To change choices later, return to the banner through a link in the footer or clear your browser data. Withdrawing consent stops future collection by the affected category while previously gathered aggregated data remains in anonymized statistics.

Browser-Level Controls and Consequences of Disabling Cookies

Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through settings menus. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent pages from loading correctly or cause loss of session information. Disabling analytics cookies reduces our ability to understand usage patterns but does not affect core reading features. Instructions for common browsers are available on their official support sites; results vary by device and version.

International Transfers and Reference to Privacy Policy

Some analytics providers may process data on servers outside Canada. In such cases, safeguards consistent with Canadian privacy expectations are applied. For complete details on data handling beyond cookies, please review the separate Privacy Policy available on this site.

Policy Changes, Contact Route and Final Notes

We may update this Cookies Policy to reflect changes in technology or legal requirements. The current version date appears at the top of the page. For questions about cookie practices or to exercise rights under Canadian law, please use the contact form on our Contacts page or call +1 343-580-1076. Written correspondence may be sent to 26 Lochiel Street East, Unit 1, Alexandria, ON, Canada. This policy forms part of our commitment to responsible stewardship of visitor information while sharing stories of Canadian street life and communities.