Cookie Policy
Last Updated: 11/17/2025
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to website owners.
This Cookie Policy explains how DebtPrepAI uses cookies and similar tracking technologies, and how you can control them.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
Required for Basic Functionality
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable:
- Authentication: Keeping you logged in during your session
- Security: Protecting against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks
- Session Management: Remembering your progress through the intake flow
- Load Balancing: Distributing traffic across our servers
Note: These cookies cannot be disabled as they are essential for the service to work. Without them, you would not be able to use key features like authentication and secure data submission.
2.2 Functional Cookies
Enhance User Experience
These cookies remember your preferences and choices:
- Language Preference: Remembering if you selected Spanish/English
- Theme Settings: Remembering dark mode vs light mode preference
- Consent Preferences: Remembering your cookie consent choices
- Form Auto-Save: Saving your progress in the intake form
Can you opt-out? Yes. You can disable functional cookies, but this may reduce functionality and require you to re-enter preferences on each visit.
2.3 Analytics Cookies
Help Us Improve the Service
These cookies collect information about how you use our website:
- Page Views: Which pages you visit and how long you stay
- User Journey: How you navigate through the intake flow
- Error Tracking: When errors occur so we can fix them
- Performance: Page load times and technical performance metrics
What we use: Vercel Analytics (privacy-friendly, no personal data)
Can you opt-out? Yes. See Section 6 below for opt-out instructions.
2.4 Marketing Cookies
Personalized Marketing (Optional)
These cookies track your browsing to show relevant ads:
- Ad Retargeting: Showing DebtPrepAI ads on other websites after you visit us
- Social Media: Tracking engagement with social media content
- Campaign Tracking: Measuring effectiveness of marketing campaigns
Can you opt-out? Yes. These cookies require your explicit consent and can be disabled at any time.
3. Specific Cookies We Use
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
next-auth.session-token | Authentication session | Strictly Necessary | Session |
next-auth.csrf-token | CSRF protection | Strictly Necessary | Session |
intake-progress | Save intake form progress | Functional | 7 days |
consent-preferences | Remember cookie consent choices | Functional | 1 year |
language-pref | Language selection | Functional | 1 year |
_vercel_analytics_id | Anonymous usage analytics | Analytics | 1 year |
sentry-session | Error tracking | Analytics | Session |
4. Third-Party Cookies
We use services from trusted third parties that may set their own cookies:
Plaid (Bank Connection)
When you connect your bank account, Plaid may set cookies for authentication and security.
Privacy Policy: plaid.com/legal/#privacy-policy
Vercel Analytics
Privacy-friendly analytics that do not collect personal data or use fingerprinting.
Privacy Policy: vercel.com/docs/analytics/privacy-policy
Sentry (Error Tracking)
Helps us detect and fix technical errors to improve the service.
Privacy Policy: sentry.io/privacy/
5. Similar Tracking Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use:
5.1 Local Storage
HTML5 local storage allows us to store data in your browser for features like auto-saving intake form progress. Unlike cookies, local storage data is not sent to our servers with every request.
5.2 Session Storage
Similar to local storage but data is cleared when you close your browser tab. Used for temporary state management during your session.
5.3 Web Beacons / Pixels
Tiny transparent images embedded in emails or web pages to track whether you opened an email or viewed a page. Used sparingly for transactional email delivery confirmation.
6. How to Control Cookies
6.1 Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit DebtPrepAI, you'll see a cookie consent banner where you can:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject optional cookies (analytics and marketing)
- Customize your cookie preferences
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the website footer.
6.2 Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings:
Google Chrome
Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → Block third-party cookies
Firefox
Settings → Privacy & Security → Enhanced Tracking Protection → Custom → Cookies
Safari
Preferences → Privacy → Block all cookies or Prevent cross-site tracking
Microsoft Edge
Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
6.3 Opt-Out Links
You can opt-out of specific tracking services:
- Google Ads: adssettings.google.com
- Facebook Ads: facebook.com/settings/?tab=ads
- Network Advertising Initiative: optout.networkadvertising.org
- Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info
Important: Blocking all cookies may prevent you from using essential features of DebtPrepAI, such as logging in and saving your intake progress. Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled.
7. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting. Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals.
Our approach: We honor DNT signals for analytics and marketing cookies, but strictly necessary and functional cookies will still be used to ensure the service works properly.
8. Children's Privacy
DebtPrepAI is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect cookies or personal information from children. If we discover cookies have been set for a child, we will delete them immediately.
9. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. We will notify you of material changes by:
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Displaying a notice on our website
- Sending an email notification (for significant changes)
10. Questions About Cookies?
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy:
Support Team
Email: support@debtprepai.com
Privacy Policy: debtprepai.com/privacy
Data Deletion: debtprepai.com/privacy/delete-data
Quick Reference: Your Cookie Choices
| Cookie Type | Can You Opt-Out? | How to Opt-Out |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | ❌ No | Required for service to function |
| Functional | ✅ Yes | Cookie settings or browser settings |
| Analytics | ✅ Yes | Cookie settings or browser settings |
| Marketing | ✅ Yes | Cookie settings, browser settings, or opt-out links |
Effective Date: 11/17/2025
Version: 1.0