Cookie Policy

Effective Date: October 10, 2025
Entity: Winford Harter Consulting LLC
Address: 30 N Gould St Ste R, Sheridan, WY 82801, United States
Website: https://istok.media
Email: info@istok.media

1. Purpose of this Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how Winford Harter Consulting LLC (“Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our websites, applications, and digital communications.
It describes what cookies are, how we use them, the types of cookies we employ, and how you can control or withdraw your consent in compliance with applicable privacy and data-protection laws including the GDPR, UK GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, CCPA, CPRA, and equivalent frameworks.

2. What Cookies Are

Cookies are small data files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They allow a website to recognize your device and store certain information such as preferences or past actions.

Types of cookies by duration

• Session cookies: active only for the duration of your browser session and deleted when you close it.
• Persistent cookies: remain stored until deleted manually or until their predefined expiry date.

Types of cookies by origin

• First-party cookies: set directly by our website.
• Third-party cookies: set by integrated services such as analytics, advertising, or social media providers.

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for website functionality and security. They enable core features such as navigation, page rendering, session authentication, and form submission.
Without these cookies, the website cannot operate properly.

Legal basis: Legitimate interest (necessary for website operation).
Examples include:

• Session identifiers
• Load balancing or routing cookies
• CSRF and security verification tokens
• Cookie-consent records

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect aggregated information on how visitors interact with our site, such as pages visited, time spent, and navigation patterns. This data helps us improve usability and performance.

Legal basis: Consent (where required) or legitimate interest (for anonymized analytics).
Typical providers:

• Google Analytics (IP anonymization enabled)
• Cloudflare Insights
• Plausible Analytics

We configure analytics tools to avoid collecting unnecessary personal identifiers where possible.

3.3 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies remember user preferences such as language, region, or login credentials to provide a more personalized experience.

Legal basis: Consent (for non-essential personalization).
Examples:

• Language and locale preferences
• Remember-me form options
• Saved user interface configurations

3.4 Advertising and Targeting Cookies

We may use advertising and tracking technologies to measure marketing effectiveness, build audiences, and deliver relevant content across digital platforms.

Legal basis: Explicit consent (opt-in required under GDPR and similar laws).
Examples of tools (may vary):

• Google Ads and Conversion Tracking
• Meta Pixel (Facebook and Instagram)
• LinkedIn Insight Tag
• TikTok or Pinterest Pixels

Rejecting these cookies will not remove all advertising, but it will make ads less personalized.

4. Similar and Related Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use:

• Web beacons or tracking pixels – small graphic files used to monitor email opens or campaign performance.
• Local and session storage – browser storage mechanisms used to cache content or remember choices.
• Tracking URLs and UTM parameters – identifiers embedded in links to evaluate marketing source effectiveness.

These are treated as equivalent to cookies for consent and control purposes.

5. Consent Management and Control

5.1 Cookie Banner and Preference Center

When you first visit our website, a cookie banner appears requesting your consent.
You can:

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

Your preferences are recorded and stored in a consent log compliant with GDPR Article 7(1). You can modify or withdraw your consent anytime via the “Cookie Settings” link in the site footer or by clearing your browser cookies.

5.2 Browser Controls

Most browsers allow cookie management through settings. You can block, delete, or be notified when cookies are set. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality.

Helpful links:

• Google Chrome Help
• Mozilla Firefox Help
• Apple Safari Help
• Microsoft Edge Help

5.3 Opt-Out of Third-Party Advertising Tools

You may opt out directly from major advertising and analytics networks:

• Google Ads Settings
• Meta Ad Preferences
• Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out
• Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out

5.4 Consent Duration

Consent remains valid for 12 months unless withdrawn earlier. We will prompt you to renew consent after this period or upon major policy changes.

6. Data Retention and International Transfers

Cookie data is retained only as long as necessary for the stated purpose or until you withdraw consent.
Our analytics, hosting, and advertising providers may process data in the United States or other jurisdictions with different data-protection laws.
Transfers are safeguarded under mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK Addendum, or participation in recognized frameworks as detailed in our Privacy Policy.

7. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control (GPC)

Our website respects Global Privacy Control (GPC) and similar browser signals.
When a valid GPC signal is detected, we treat it as an opt-out of sale or sharing of personal data for cross-context behavioral advertising where required by U.S. state privacy laws (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah).

We currently do not respond to legacy “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals, as standards for DNT are not yet uniform.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our website is intended for business and professional audiences. We do not knowingly place cookies or collect data from children under 13. If you believe such data has been collected, contact us for deletion.

9. Security of Cookie Data

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to safeguard cookie data including encryption, restricted access, and pseudonymization.
However, we cannot guarantee absolute security of transmission or storage.

10. Updates to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our operational practices.
Material changes will be communicated via a notice on this page or through the cookie banner.
The Effective Date at the top indicates the latest revision.

11. Contact Information

For questions, requests, or concerns regarding cookies or data privacy, contact us at: info@istok.media

12. Integration with Other Policies

This Cookie Policy is part of our overall legal framework and should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By continuing to use our website after reviewing this Policy, you consent to our use of cookies and similar technologies consistent with your preferences.