Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how L8RN News (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website l8rn.com. It provides transparency into the types of cookies we use, the purposes for which they are implemented, and how users can manage their preferences. This policy complies with applicable regulations, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the ePrivacy Directive, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other global standards of privacy law.

By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. If you do not agree, you may disable cookies via your browser settings or through our Cookie Preference Center. For a deeper understanding of how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, please also refer to our Privacy Policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other devices when you visit a website. They help websites function efficiently and offer information to the website owner. Cookies serve many purposes including security, analytics, personalization, and advertising.

Cookies are widely used in digital platforms because they facilitate better user experiences. Websites use cookies to remember your login details, keep track of your session activity, tailor content to your location or preferences, and even personalize the ads you see based on your browsing behavior.

Cookies can be first-party (placed by L8RN News) or third-party (set by external domains, such as advertising networks, analytics providers, or social media platforms).

1.1 Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Crucial for the website’s core functionality. These cookies allow users to navigate and access secure areas.
  • Performance Cookies: These track user behavior for performance analytics. They help identify pages visited, click patterns, and error messages.
  • Functionality Cookies: Enhance website functionality by remembering choices you’ve made (language, layout, region, etc.).
  • Targeting or Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements to users and to track the effectiveness of ad campaigns.
  • Analytics Cookies: Used by tools such as Google Analytics to collect aggregate data on usage, which helps us improve user experience.

Each cookie serves a specific purpose, and we evaluate them regularly to ensure compliance with our privacy and security standards.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies to ensure that our website is reliable, efficient, and user-friendly. Our purposes include:

  • Authenticating user sessions
  • Personalizing user content and preferences
  • Analyzing website performance
  • Delivering location-based content
  • Retargeting advertisements
  • Detecting fraud and ensuring security
  • Measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns

Cookies help reduce redundancy, remember returning visitors, and provide you with an enhanced, seamless browsing experience.

3. Third-Party Cookies and Embedded Content

L8RN News partners with several third-party vendors that may also place cookies on your device when you interact with our site. These third-party cookies may track your interaction across different websites and devices.

3.1 Examples of Third-Party Services

  • Google Analytics: To collect statistical data and generate usage insights
  • Google Ads & AdSense: For ad targeting, delivery, and performance measurement
  • YouTube (Google LLC): To enable video playback and track interaction
  • Meta Platforms (Facebook Pixel): To retarget ads on Meta properties
  • Cloudflare: To enhance site performance and security
  • Social Sharing Tools: To facilitate content sharing and engagement

These services may collect personal data including IP addresses, browser information, location data, and usage patterns.

L8RN News does not control these third-party cookies, and their data collection practices are governed by their respective privacy policies.

4. Duration of Cookies

Cookies can be classified based on their duration:

  • Session Cookies: Temporary and expire after you close your browser.
  • Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device until manually deleted or automatically removed after a set period.

The retention period of each cookie depends on its purpose. Advertising cookies may last from 30 days to several years to support frequency capping, ad rotation, and personalization. Session cookies used for user authentication expire after a session ends to protect user accounts.

5. Managing and Controlling Cookies

We give users tools and resources to manage cookie preferences. You can:

5.1 Adjust Your Browser Settings

Most browsers let you manage cookies by accepting, blocking, or deleting them. Instructions differ per browser:

  • Chrome: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Other Site Data
  • Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences > Privacy
  • Edge: Settings > Cookies and Site Permissions

L8RN News includes a built-in cookie preference banner that appears upon your first visit. This tool allows you to opt-in or out of non-essential cookies.

5.3 Use Opt-Out Tools

Global opt-out services are also available:

6. Cookies in Our Emails

We may include cookies or tracking pixels in our newsletters and marketing emails to:

  • Confirm whether emails have been opened
  • Track click-through rates and user behavior
  • Improve future content and segmentation

You can disable email tracking by viewing messages as plain text or adjusting your email client settings.

L8RN News uses cookies on the following legal bases:

  • Consent: All non-essential cookies are only placed after users opt-in via our cookie consent banner.
  • Contractual Obligation: Some cookies may be necessary to provide services you request.
  • Legitimate Interest: For security, fraud prevention, or service improvement, without compromising your rights.

We provide tools to revoke consent or change preferences at any time.

8. Categories of Data Collected Through Cookies

Data collected by cookies may include:

  • Device type, model, and OS
  • Geographic location based on IP
  • Browser language and version
  • Time spent on pages and scroll depth
  • Page views, navigation paths, and exit pages
  • Form submissions and user interactions

When combined with other data voluntarily submitted, cookies may contribute to detailed user profiles used for analytics or marketing purposes.

9. Security Measures

We protect cookie data through technical and procedural safeguards:

  • Encrypted HTTPS connections to protect data transmission
  • Content Security Policy (CSP) to mitigate cross-site scripting
  • Regular updates of consent management systems
  • Controlled access to analytics tools with role-based permissions
  • Vendor contracts requiring adherence to data protection standards

Though we work diligently to secure data, no system is immune to all vulnerabilities. Users are encouraged to maintain their own privacy practices.

10. International Data Transfers

Cookie-derived data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your jurisdiction, including the United States. In such cases, we implement safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and work with vendors certified under international frameworks like Privacy Shield (where applicable).

By using our services, you consent to such international transfers, understanding that different countries may have different levels of data protection.

Depending on your location, you have the right to:

  • Withdraw cookie consent at any time
  • Access data collected via cookies
  • Request deletion or anonymization of tracking data
  • Object to data processing for advertising or profiling

Requests can be submitted to support@l8rn.com, and we will respond within the legally required timeframes.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or user expectations. Material updates will be clearly communicated through:

  • Website banners or notifications
  • Updated revision dates
  • Consent banner reappearance (if required)

We encourage users to review this page regularly.

13. Contact Information

For cookie-related concerns, inquiries, or complaints, contact us:

14. Mobile and App Cookie Usage

L8RN News may be accessed via mobile browsers and in the future through dedicated applications. Cookie behavior can differ slightly depending on the platform.

14.1 Mobile Browsers

Cookies function similarly in mobile browsers as they do on desktops, though cookie management settings may differ across mobile operating systems like iOS and Android.

14.2 Mobile App Tracking Technologies

If our platform integrates native apps in the future, we may use SDKs (Software Development Kits) in place of traditional cookies. These tools:

  • Track app usage analytics
  • Manage push notification preferences
  • Determine geographic data for regional content targeting

All tracking will comply with user consent settings provided through the app interface.

15. Consent Banner Mechanics

Our consent banner appears on your first visit and whenever we make major updates to cookie categories. It provides:

  • A summary of cookie categories
  • A link to this full Cookie Policy
  • A clear Accept/Reject interface
  • A “Manage Preferences” option for granular control

Consent is logged and stored securely, and we renew it annually or when material changes are made.

16. Cookie Audits and Documentation

To comply with GDPR Article 30 and other regulatory standards, L8RN News performs regular cookie audits. Our audit includes:

  • Identification of all first- and third-party cookies
  • Logging of cookie purpose, duration, domain, and classification
  • Updates when cookies are added, removed, or altered

We maintain a Cookie Register internally for audit readiness and legal documentation.

17. Cookies and Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly target children under the age of 13 with cookies or online tracking. In compliance with COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act), any accidental collection is purged.

18. Industry-Specific Use Cases

As a global news platform, L8RN News uses cookies to:

  • Track readership trends across regions
  • Tailor homepage news stories by location and past visits
  • Gauge interest in categories like business, politics, or entertainment
  • Provide real-time analytics during breaking news coverage

Cookies enable the scalability of such personalized experiences.

19. Language Preferences and Localization

Our cookies remember preferred language and region settings, making international access smoother. These settings include:

  • Defaulting to English
  • Detecting locale via IP
  • Adapting UI layout for regional formatting (dates, numbers, etc.)

20. Accessibility and Cookie Support

We design our consent banners and cookie-related interfaces to comply with WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards. This includes:

  • Keyboard navigation
  • High contrast readability
  • ARIA labels for screen readers

Accessibility-enhancing cookies may store session data or user assistive preferences.

21. Vendor Due Diligence

We vet each third-party vendor involved in cookie placement to ensure they:

  • Are GDPR, CCPA, or equivalent compliant
  • Offer clear privacy documentation
  • Provide opt-out mechanisms
  • Honor browser-level Do Not Track settings where possible

22. Cookie-Based Authentication

Some essential cookies handle encrypted session tokens. These allow users to:

  • Remain logged in during sessions
  • Access personalized dashboards (e.g., bookmarks, saved stories)
  • Maintain multi-tab access without repeated logins

These cookies expire quickly and are encrypted to industry standards.

23. Cookie Policy for Affiliates and Partners

If you arrive at L8RN News through an affiliate or partner referral, additional tracking cookies may be set for the purpose of:

  • Tracking affiliate conversions
  • Limiting referral abuse
  • Compensating affiliate partners fairly

We disclose affiliate cookies at the point of entry and offer the ability to disable tracking.

24. Cookie Preferences for Logged-In vs Guest Users

Cookies may function differently for authenticated users. For example:

  • Logged-in users receive customized content layouts
  • Guest users may see general location-based stories

Both user types retain the same rights and opt-out options.

25. Enforcement and Regulatory Contact

For compliance questions or concerns, users may contact:

  • Puerto Rico Office of Consumer Affairs (DACO)
  • United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS)

We will fully cooperate with legal requests and data audits.

26. Final Acknowledgment

By remaining on L8RN News, adjusting your preferences, or accepting cookies via our banner, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Cookie Policy in full.

27. Jurisdiction-Specific Cookie Rights

Depending on your location, different data protection laws provide various rights regarding cookie usage and digital tracking. Below is a non-exhaustive list of your rights under major international frameworks.

27.1 European Union (GDPR & ePrivacy Directive)

Users in the European Union are protected by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive. These regulations require that:

  • Users must give explicit, informed consent before cookies are placed (except for essential cookies)
  • Cookie consent must be revocable at any time
  • Users have the right to access, rectify, or delete data collected via cookies
  • Consent logs must be maintained for legal compliance

27.2 United Kingdom (UK GDPR)

Following Brexit, the UK now enforces the UK GDPR and the PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), which mirror EU cookie laws. Additional guidelines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) require that:

  • Cookie banners cannot pre-tick consent boxes
  • Analytics cookies are not exempt from consent requirements

27.3 United States (CCPA, CPRA)

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its amendment, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

  • Users have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal data collected through cookies
  • Businesses must provide a “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link
  • Consent must be obtained before placing cookies that fall under the definition of “sale”

Other states like Colorado, Virginia, Connecticut, and Utah have adopted similar laws.

27.4 Canada (PIPEDA)

Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) requires:

  • Meaningful consent for data collection, including cookies
  • Transparency in explaining the purposes and consequences of data usage

27.5 Brazil (LGPD)

Brazil’s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) includes:

  • The right to be informed about cookies
  • The right to revoke cookie consent
  • The right to confirm the existence of cookie-based data processing

27.6 Australia (Privacy Act & ACMA Guidelines)

Australia mandates:

  • Notice and consent for tracking technologies under the Privacy Act
  • Proactive disclosure of cookie usage in privacy policies

28. Glossary of Cookie-Related Terms

  • Cookie: A small file stored on a user’s device that holds data related to website activity
  • Session Cookie: Temporary cookie deleted after closing the browser
  • Persistent Cookie: Remains stored on the device for a set period
  • First-Party Cookie: Set by the website the user is visiting
  • Third-Party Cookie: Set by a domain different from the one the user is visiting
  • Consent Banner: A pop-up that collects user consent for tracking
  • SDK (Software Development Kit): Tools used in mobile apps to track usage, similar to cookies
  • Tracking Pixel: A 1×1 image that tracks user behavior in emails or websites
  • Personal Data: Any data that can be used to identify a user, directly or indirectly

29. Browser-Specific Cookie Management

Below are steps for clearing or managing cookies across major web browsers:

29.1 Google Chrome

  1. Open Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
  2. Choose between “Allow all cookies,” “Block third-party cookies,” or “Block all cookies”
  3. Use “See all cookies and site data” to review stored cookies

29.2 Mozilla Firefox

  1. Go to Options > Privacy & Security
  2. Under Cookies and Site Data, choose settings or clear data
  3. Use “Manage Exceptions” for specific site preferences

29.3 Safari (macOS & iOS)

  1. Open Preferences > Privacy
  2. Enable or disable “Block all cookies”
  3. Clear cookies by clicking “Manage Website Data”

29.4 Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Settings > Cookies and site permissions
  2. Under Manage and delete cookies, choose options
  3. Allow/block cookies per site or globally

29.5 Android and iOS Browsers

Mobile browsers typically mirror their desktop counterparts, but options may be under “Site Settings” or “Advanced Settings.”

30. Future Technology and Evolving Standards

L8RN News is committed to adapting its cookie practices in alignment with technological advancements and legal developments. This includes:

  • Planning for the phasing out of third-party cookies (as promoted by Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative)
  • Exploring alternatives like FLoC, Topics API, and first-party tracking models
  • Maintaining transparency about machine learning usage and behavior predictions based on cookies

31. Annual Review and Public Disclosure

This Cookie Policy undergoes an annual review by our compliance and technology teams. Updates will be:

  • Publicly posted with clear revision dates
  • Communicated via banners or email notifications (for registered users)
  • Documented in our internal compliance logs

We commit to maintaining transparency, accountability, and data ethics as part of our public responsibility as a news platform.

Effective Date: July 9, 2025
Website: https://l8rn.com