1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (e.g., computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognize your device, store information about your preferences or actions, and enhance your user experience. Cookies may be stored temporarily (session cookies) or for a longer period (persistent cookies).

We also use similar technologies, such as pixels, web beacons, and local storage, to collect information about your interactions with our website. These technologies are collectively referred to as "cookies" in this policy.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

• Ensure the proper functioning of our website.
• Enhance your user experience by remembering your preferences.
• Analyze website performance and user behavior to improve our Services.
• Deliver personalized content and advertisements, where applicable and with your consent.
• Support security and fraud prevention measures.

Cookies do not contain viruses or other harmful code, and we take steps to ensure they are secure.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We categorize cookies based on their purpose and functionality, as follows:

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services we use, such as:

• Google Analytics: To analyze website usage and performance.
• Social Media Platforms: To enable features like sharing content on platforms like LinkedIn or tracking engagement (e.g., LinkedIn Insight Tag).
• Advertising Partners: To deliver targeted advertisements, where applicable.

These third parties may process data according to their own privacy policies. We ensure that third-party partners comply with UAE PDPL and, where applicable, GDPR. For more details, review the privacy policies of these third parties.

5. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

We use cookies based on the following legal grounds under UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Consent: For non-essential cookies (e.g., analytics, functionality, and marketing cookies), we obtain your explicit consent via our cookie consent tool.
• Legitimate Interests: For essential cookies and certain analytics cookies, we rely on our legitimate interests to operate and improve our website, provided these interests do not override your rights.
• Legal Obligation: In some cases, cookies may be used to comply with legal requirements, such as security or fraud prevention.

GDPR applies only if you are located in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), or if we target or monitor EU/EEA residents. If GDPR does not apply, we process cookie data in accordance with PDPL.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can manage your cookie preferences as follows:

• Cookie Consent Tool: Upon visiting our website, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept or customize your cookie preferences (except for essential cookies, which cannot be disabled).
• Browser Settings: You can configure your browser to block or delete cookies. Note that blocking essential cookies may affect the functionality of our website. Instructions for common browsers:
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge

Do Not Track: Our website does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" signals from browsers, as there is no universal standard for their implementation.

You may withdraw your consent for non-essential cookies at any time via our cookie consent tool or by contacting us at privacy@mycareerpath.com.

7. Data Storage and Security

Cookies and related data are stored securely in accordance with UAE PDPL and, where applicable, GDPR. Key details:

• Storage: Cookie data is stored for the duration specified in the cookie (e.g., session cookies expire when you close your browser; persistent cookies have set expiration dates).
• Security: We use encryption and access controls to protect cookie data from unauthorized access.
• Retention: Cookie data is retained only as long as necessary for the purposes described (e.g., analytics data is retained for 2 years; see our Privacy Policy for details).

8. International Data Transfers

If you access our website from outside the UAE, or if we process cookie data of EU/EEA residents, data may be transferred to countries with different data protection laws. We ensure compliance with PDPL for UAE data and use safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for GDPR-compliant transfers to non-adequate countries (e.g., UAE).

9. Your Rights

Under UAE PDPL, and GDPR (if applicable), you may have rights regarding cookie-related data, including:

• Access: Request details of cookie data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate data.
• Deletion: Request deletion of cookie data.
• Restriction: Limit how we process cookie data.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Portability: Receive cookie data in a structured format.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@mycareerpath.com. We will respond within the timeframes required by PDPL or GDPR (e.g., 30 days under GDPR).

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on our website, and significant changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on our website. The “Last Updated” date below indicates the effective date of the current policy.