Cookie Policy for Flashlyx.com

Welcome to Flashlyx – your English-language snowboarding blog covering gear reviews, resort guides, backcountry tips, and the latest in snowboard culture. When you visit flashlyx.com, we and our third-party partners (including Google AdSense) may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to ensure the site works, to analyse traffic, and to deliver relevant advertising. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which ones we use, and how you can control them.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences (such as language, region, or login state) over a period of time. Cookies can be “first-party” (set by flashlyx.com) or “third-party” (set by services we integrate, like analytics or ad networks). Some cookies are temporary (session cookies) and are deleted when you close your browser; others remain (persistent cookies) to recognise you on future visits.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

We categorise cookies into three groups based on their purpose. All cookies used on Flashlyx are listed below with a brief explanation.

2.1 Essential (Strictly Necessary) Cookies

These cookies are required for the basic operation of our blog. Without them, you would not be able to navigate pages, view images, or use core features. Examples include cookies that remember your cookie consent choice and session tokens that prevent security risks. Essential cookies do not collect information for marketing purposes and are always active.

• Session cookie: Maintains your session while you browse Flashlyx.
• Cookie consent cookie: Stores your preference regarding cookie usage (so we don’t show the banner repeatedly).

2.2 Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand how readers interact with our snowboarding content – which articles are most popular, how long you stay, and what device you use. This data is aggregated and anonymised; it helps us improve the blog and tailor content to our audience. These cookies are non-essential and are only placed after you give consent.

• Google Analytics (_ga, _gid, _gat): Count visits, traffic sources, and page views.
• Performance cookie: Tracks load times and error rates.

2.3 Advertising Cookies (including Google AdSense)

Flashlyx displays advertisements to support our independent snowboarding blog. We partner with Google AdSense and other third-party ad networks to serve ads that are relevant to you. Advertising cookies (or “tracking pixels”) collect information about your browsing habits – such as which snowboarding articles you read, whether you clicked on a gear link, or your general location (derived from IP address). This data is used to:

• Show personalised ads based on your interests (e.g., snowboard bindings, resort deals).
• Measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns (e.g., how many users clicked and visited a sponsor’s site).
• Limit how often you see the same ad and detect fraudulent clicks.

Google AdSense uses cookies like IDE (for ad personalisation) and ANID (for ad measurement). These are third-party cookies. We do not control the specific data Google collects; please refer to Google’s Advertising Privacy & Terms for full details.

3. How to Control and Delete Cookies

You have the right to choose whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise this right in the following ways:

3.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to manage cookie preferences via their settings menu. You can block all cookies, delete existing ones, or set up alerts when a cookie is placed. Note that disabling essential cookies may impair the functionality of Flashlyx (e.g., you may have to re-enter your cookie preference each visit).

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data.
• Mozilla Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data.
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data.
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions.

3.2 Opt-Out of Ad Personalisation

If you prefer not to receive personalised ads from Google and other participating ad networks, you can opt out via:

• Google’s Ad Settings: Visit adssettings.google.com and toggle off “Ad personalisation.”
• Your Online Choices (EU/EEA): www.youronlinechoices.com allows you to opt out of multiple advertising cookies at once.
• Network Advertising Initiative (US): optout.networkadvertising.org.

Even if you opt out of personalisation, you will still see ads – they will simply be less relevant (contextual ads based on the page content, e.g., snowboard ads on a snowboard article).

4. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will post the updated version on this page and revise the “Last updated” date at the top. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

5. Your Rights & Contact

Under data protection laws (including the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive), you have the right to access, rectify, or erase your personal data. If you have any questions about our use of cookies, or if you would like to exercise your rights, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Privacy Policy: flashlyx.com/privacy (contains full details on data processing and retention).

For cookie-related inquiries, you may also contact our data protection representative at the same email address.

Ride on, shredders. Flashlyx is built for the love of snowboarding – and we respect your privacy every step of the way.