Cookie Policy

Cookie and local storage usage for the learner website.

Cookie and Similar Technologies PolicyLast Updated: September 5, 2026This Cookie and Similar Technologies Policy explains how Sommerfeld Educational Platform uses cookies and similar technologies when you access our website, applications, and related educational services.This Policy forms part of the Sommerfeld Privacy Policy and should be read together with it.References to “Sommerfeld,” “we,” “us,” or “the Platform” include our website, applications, educational services, and related services.1. What Are Cookies?Cookies are small files or pieces of data that may be stored on your device or browser when you visit a website.They allow websites to remember certain information about a user, browser, or device, such as:Login status.Language preferences.User preferences.Session information.Certain technical information relating to the use of the website.We may also use technologies that perform similar functions, including:Local storage.Session storage.Device identifiers.Session tokens.Mobile application technologies.Technical measurement and analytics tools.Throughout this Policy, we refer to these collectively as “cookies and similar technologies.”2. Why We Use CookiesSommerfeld may use cookies and similar technologies to:Operate our website and applications.Keep users signed in.Protect user accounts.Prevent unauthorized access and fraud.Remember user choices and preferences.Provide features requested by users.Improve Platform performance.Identify errors and technical problems.Measure service performance.Understand how our website and applications are used.Improve the experience of parents, students, and teachers.Maintain the security and reliability of our systems.3. Types of Cookies We May UseA. Strictly Necessary CookiesThese technologies are used to provide essential Platform functions and may be required for our website or application to operate properly.They may be used for purposes such as:Signing users into their accounts.Maintaining user sessions.Securing accounts.Validating requests.Preventing attacks and unauthorized access.Maintaining necessary information during a booking or payment process.Some strictly necessary cookies cannot normally be disabled through Sommerfeld settings because they are required to provide a service requested by the user.B. Preference and Functionality CookiesThese cookies help us remember choices such as:Selected language.Display preferences.Certain account settings.User preferences.Their purpose is to make the Platform easier and more convenient to use.C. Performance and Analytics TechnologiesWe may use analytics technologies to understand the performance of our services, including information such as:Which pages or features are most frequently used.Whether technical errors occur.How long pages take to load.How users navigate through the Platform.Which features may require improvement.We use this information to improve Sommerfeld's performance and user experience.Where reasonably possible, we seek to minimize the information used for analytics or use information in aggregated or de-identified form.D. Security and Fraud-Prevention TechnologiesWe may use technologies designed to:Detect unusual login attempts.Prevent fraud.Detect automated or malicious activity.Protect user accounts.Protect our systems and services from cyberattacks.E. Technologies Used by Service ProvidersCertain Sommerfeld features may rely on third-party services, including:Payment processing.Educational video or meeting services.Messaging and notification services.Cloud infrastructure and hosting.Technical support services.Security services.Some of these providers may use cookies or similar technologies when providing their services.Information processed directly by these providers may also be subject to their respective privacy policies.4. Advertising and Tracking TechnologiesSommerfeld does not use information relating to minor students to create behavioral advertising profiles about them.We do not permit student-directed portions of our services to be used to track children across unrelated websites or online services for the purpose of targeting advertising to them.If Sommerfeld uses advertising technologies elsewhere on its services in the future and such activity constitutes legally defined “selling” or “sharing” of personal information under an applicable U.S. privacy law, we will provide the notices and opt-out mechanisms required by that law.5. Cookies and Children Using SommerfeldAccounts used by minor students are created and managed by a parent or legal guardian.We do not require children to create independent accounts or directly provide their contact or payment information to Sommerfeld.However, when a student accesses our website or application through a parent-managed account, certain technical information may automatically be generated as part of providing the service, including:IP address.Device or browser information.Session identifiers.Error logs.Security information.Other technical information necessary to operate the service.Where children's information is involved, Sommerfeld seeks to process such information consistently with applicable legal requirements, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) where it applies.The generation of technical information during use of the service does not mean that the child maintains an independent Sommerfeld account.6. How Long Cookies Remain on Your DeviceThe duration of a cookie depends on its purpose.Session CookiesThese are generally temporary and may be deleted when:You sign out.You close your browser.Your session expires.Persistent CookiesPersistent cookies may remain on a device for a longer period so that certain settings or functions can be remembered.We seek not to retain cookies or information derived from them for longer than reasonably necessary for the purpose for which they are used.7. Third-Party Cookies and TechnologiesCertain companies providing services to Sommerfeld may operate their own technologies.Depending on the services used by Sommerfeld, these providers may include:Payment providers.Hosting providers.Video and meeting providers.Analytics providers.Support providers.Security providers.Email and notification providers.Our use of a third-party service does not mean that the provider is permitted to use Sommerfeld user information for any purpose it chooses.We seek to use service providers subject to appropriate arrangements and to provide them with information reasonably necessary to perform their services.8. Managing CookiesUsers may have several ways to control cookies.Sommerfeld Cookie SettingsWhere we provide cookie preference controls, users may use them to accept or reject certain categories of non-essential cookies.Browser SettingsMost browsers provide controls that allow users to:View stored cookies.Delete cookies.Block specific cookies.Block all cookies.Control how cookies are handled.Disabling strictly necessary cookies may prevent portions of Sommerfeld from operating properly.9. Global Privacy ControlSome browsers and privacy tools allow users to send a Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal indicating a preference to opt out of certain sales or sharing of personal information.Where Sommerfeld is subject to a U.S. law requiring recognition of such a signal for a particular activity, we will process the signal in accordance with applicable legal requirements.10. Sale of Personal InformationSommerfeld does not sell the personal information of students or parents for monetary consideration.If our practices change in the future so that the use of a particular technology constitutes legally defined “selling” or “sharing” under an applicable U.S. state privacy law, we will update this Policy and provide any legally required opt-out mechanisms.11. Mobile ApplicationsMobile applications do not always rely on traditional browser cookies.Instead, mobile applications may use technologies such as:Device identifiers.Session tokens.Local storage.Crash logs.Notification services.Performance measurement tools.Where these technologies perform functions similar to cookies, they are subject to the principles described in this Policy.12. Do Not TrackCertain browsers may transmit a signal known as Do Not Track (DNT).There is no single generally applicable standard governing how all websites must respond to DNT signals.Where applicable law requires Sommerfeld to respond to a legally recognized privacy preference signal, we will do so in accordance with that law.DNT should not be confused with legally recognized preference mechanisms such as Global Privacy Control where applicable.13. Changes to This Cookie PolicyWe may update this Policy from time to time, including when:We introduce new technologies.We engage new service providers.We change how cookies are used.We introduce new Platform features.Applicable legal or regulatory requirements change.The updated version will be published through the Sommerfeld website or application.Where a change is material or applicable law requires additional notice, we may provide users with additional notification.14. Relationship With Our Privacy PolicyThis Policy should be read together with the Sommerfeld Privacy and Data Protection Policy.Our Privacy Policy contains additional information about:Personal information we collect.How information is used.Information sharing.User privacy rights.Children's privacy.Data retention.How to contact us regarding privacy requests.If a provision of this Policy conflicts with a requirement imposed by applicable law, the applicable legal requirement will control.15. Contact UsIf you have questions about Sommerfeld's use of cookies or similar technologies, or wish to exercise an applicable privacy right, you may contact us using the official communication channels published on the Sommerfeld website or application.