Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how NeXt Chapter Recovery ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at ncrecovery.ca. This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which provides more details about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree with our use of cookies, you should adjust your browser settings or refrain from using our website.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide a better user experience, as well as to provide information to the website owners.

2.1 How Cookies Work

When you visit a website, the site sends a cookie to your browser, which stores it on your device. The cookie contains information such as:

• A unique identifier for your browsing session
• Preferences and settings you've selected
• Pages you've visited on the website
• The date and time of your visit

The next time you visit the same website, your browser sends the cookie back to the site, allowing it to recognize your device and remember your previous interactions.

2.2 Types of Cookies

Cookies can be classified in several ways:

By Lifespan:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They help websites remember your actions during a single browsing session.
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period (specified by the cookie) or until you manually delete them. They remember your preferences across multiple visits.

By Origin:

• First-Party Cookies: Set by the website you're visiting (ncrecovery.ca). We have direct control over these cookies.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services or partners (e.g., analytics providers, social media platforms). We have limited control over these cookies.

3. Cookies We Use

NeXt Chapter Recovery uses different types of cookies for specific purposes. Below is a detailed breakdown of the cookies used on our website:

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt-out of these cookies as the website would not work properly without them.

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often and if error messages are received. This helps us improve the website's performance and user experience. The data collected is aggregated and anonymized.

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors. For more information, see Google's Privacy Policy and opt-out options.

3.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as language preferences or text size) and provide enhanced, personalized features. They may also be used to provide services you've requested, such as watching a video or commenting on content.

3.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies

We do not currently use advertising or targeting cookies on our website. NeXt Chapter Recovery is a non-profit organization focused on providing support services, and we do not engage in targeted advertising or behavioral tracking for marketing purposes.

If this changes in the future, we will update this Cookie Policy and provide you with clear options to control such cookies.

3.5 Social Media Cookies

If you interact with social media features on our website (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn share buttons), those platforms may set cookies on your device. We do not control these cookies.

4. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other similar technologies to collect information:

4.1 Web Beacons (Pixels)

Web beacons are tiny, transparent graphic images (sometimes called "pixel tags" or "clear GIFs") embedded in web pages or emails. They work in conjunction with cookies to track user behavior, such as:

• Whether an email has been opened
• Whether specific content has been viewed
• The time and date of viewing

4.2 Local Storage

Local storage (including HTML5 local storage and session storage) allows websites to store data locally in your browser. Unlike cookies, local storage data does not expire automatically and is not sent to the server with every request. We may use local storage to:

• Store preferences and settings
• Cache data for improved performance
• Enable offline functionality (if applicable)

4.3 Server Logs

Our web servers automatically collect certain information in log files, including:

• Your IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring website (the site you came from)
• Pages visited and time spent
• Date and time of access

This information is used for system administration, security, and to analyze website trends.

5. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

5.1 Essential Website Functionality

• Enable core features like secure login and session management
• Protect against security threats (CSRF, XSS attacks)
• Remember your cookie consent preferences
• Ensure proper page rendering and navigation

5.2 Performance and Analytics

• Understand how visitors use our website (pages visited, time spent, navigation paths)
• Identify and fix errors or issues
• Measure the effectiveness of our content and services
• Make data-driven improvements to user experience
• Monitor website traffic and usage patterns

5.3 Personalization

• Remember your preferences (text size, language, accessibility settings)
• Provide relevant content based on your interests
• Customize your experience on repeat visits

5.4 Communication

• Enable contact forms and inquiry submissions
• Track whether information has been successfully delivered
• Prevent spam and fraudulent submissions

6. Your Cookie Choices and Controls

You have several options for controlling and managing cookies:

6.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences by category

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the website footer or by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site.

6.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Block all cookies
• Block only third-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is set

Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Click the three-dot menu icon → Settings
2. Click "Privacy and security" → "Cookies and other site data"
3. Select your preferred cookie settings

Learn more: Google Chrome Cookie Settings

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the menu button → Settings
2. Select "Privacy & Security"
3. Under "Cookies and Site Data," choose your settings

Learn more: Firefox Cookie Settings

Apple Safari

1. Go to Safari → Preferences
2. Click the "Privacy" tab
3. Select your cookie preferences under "Cookies and website data"

Learn more: Safari Cookie Settings

Microsoft Edge

1. Click the three-dot menu → Settings
2. Click "Cookies and site permissions"
3. Select "Manage and delete cookies and site data"

Learn more: Edge Cookie Settings

6.3 Opt Out of Google Analytics

If you want to opt out of Google Analytics tracking specifically, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on:

Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on

6.4 Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal that requests websites not to track your browsing activity. Currently, there is no industry-wide standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals, but we respect your privacy choices through our cookie consent banner and browser settings.

6.5 Mobile Device Settings

If you're accessing our website on a mobile device, you can control tracking through your device settings:

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

• Go to Settings → Safari
• Enable "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking"
• Enable "Block All Cookies" (may affect website functionality)

Android

• Open Chrome → Settings → Site settings → Cookies
• Choose your cookie preferences

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have the right to block or delete cookies, please be aware that doing so may impact your experience on our website:

7.1 If You Block All Cookies:

• You may not be able to access certain areas of the website
• The website may not remember your preferences or settings
• Some interactive features may not work properly
• You may see the cookie consent banner on every visit
• Contact forms may not function correctly

7.2 If You Block Only Non-Essential Cookies:

• The website will still function, but we won't be able to track analytics
• Your preferences may not be remembered between sessions
• We won't be able to improve the website based on usage data

7.3 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies will likely prevent the website from functioning properly. These cookies are essential for security and basic functionality and cannot be disabled through our cookie consent banner.

8. Third-Party Cookies and Services

Our website may include content, features, or services provided by third parties. These third parties may set their own cookies and collect data according to their own privacy policies.

8.1 Third-Party Services We Use

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect anonymous data about how visitors use our site. This data is aggregated and does not identify individual users.

Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
Opt-out: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Social Media Platforms

We may embed content from social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube). When you interact with this content, those platforms may set cookies on your device.

We do not control these third-party cookies. Please review the privacy policies of these platforms:

• Facebook: facebook.com/privacy
• Twitter/X: twitter.com/privacy
• Instagram: instagram.com/privacy
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/privacy
• YouTube/Google: google.com/privacy

8.2 Our Responsibility

While we carefully select third-party services that respect user privacy, we are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external providers. We encourage you to review their privacy policies and adjust your settings accordingly.

9. Data Protection and Privacy

The data collected through cookies is subject to the same privacy protections as all other personal information we collect. We comply with:

• British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
• Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
• Professional healthcare privacy standards

9.1 How We Protect Cookie Data

• We use secure connections (HTTPS) to transmit cookie data
• We encrypt sensitive cookies where appropriate
• We limit access to cookie data to authorized personnel only
• We regularly review our cookie usage and security practices
• We do not sell or share cookie data with third parties for marketing purposes

9.2 Data Retention

Cookie data is retained for different periods depending on the type of cookie:

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Retained for the period specified by the cookie (typically 1-24 months)
• Analytics data: Aggregated data may be retained for up to 26 months

For more details about how we handle your personal information, please see our Privacy Policy.

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• The cookies we use
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Our website functionality or third-party services
• Best practices for privacy and data protection

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you through a prominent notice on our website
• Request your consent again if required by law

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

11. Questions and Contact Information

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, please contact us:

For general privacy inquiries or to exercise your privacy rights (such as accessing or deleting your data), please refer to our Privacy Policy or contact our Privacy Officer using the information above.

12. Related Policies

For more information about how we protect your privacy and handle your information, please review these related policies:

• Privacy Policy - Comprehensive information about data collection and protection
• Terms of Service - Terms governing your use of our website and services
• Accessibility Statement - Our commitment to digital accessibility

13. Quick Summary