Legal · Cookies
Cookie Policy
What cookies we use, why we use them, and exactly how you can control them — written in plain English, not legalese.
iGURUS uses cookies to keep you logged in, remember your preferences, and (with your explicit consent) show relevant course recommendations on other sites. Strictly necessary cookies are always active — they're required for login, security, and core platform functions. Analytics, functional, and advertising cookies are off unless you accept them via our cookie banner. You can update your preferences or opt out entirely at any time via the Cookie Preferences link in the footer. We do not sell your data.
What Are Cookies
A plain-English explanation of what cookies are and how they work on any website.
Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device (computer, tablet, or phone) when you visit. They let the website remember things about your visit — like that you're logged in, which language you prefer, or which courses you've been browsing. Cookies cannot run programs, install software, or access other files on your device.
Alongside cookies, we may also use similar technologies such as local storage, session storage, and pixels (tiny invisible images that signal when a page is loaded). This policy covers all of these collectively when we say "cookies."
- Session cookies
- Temporary — they exist only while your browser is open and are deleted when you close it. Used to keep you logged in during a single visit.
- Persistent cookies
- Remain on your device for a set period (days to years) even after you close the browser. Used to remember your preferences across visits.
- First-party cookies
- Set directly by iGURUS. We control these and use them only for the purposes described in this policy.
- Third-party cookies
- Set by external services we integrate with, such as Google Analytics or YouTube (for Sparx video lessons). These are governed by the third party's own privacy policy.
How We Use Cookies
Every cookie on iGURUS serves one of these specific purposes — nothing more.
- Authentication
- Keep you securely logged into your account so you don't need to sign in on every page.
- Security
- Protect form submissions from cross-site request forgery (CSRF) and detect suspicious login attempts.
- Course progress
- Remember where you left off in a Sparx, lesson, or live session so you can continue seamlessly.
- Preferences
- Store your chosen language, currency (INR / NGN / PHP / USD), and display settings.
- Platform analytics
- Understand which features are most used, diagnose errors, and measure the overall performance of the platform — always using de-identified data.
- Marketing (consent only)
- Show relevant course or Sparx recommendations on third-party ad networks. These are set only after you explicitly accept marketing cookies.
We do not use cookies to build advertising profiles or sell your data. Cookie data stays within iGURUS and our vetted service providers.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are required for the platform to function. They cannot be switched off in our systems and do not require your consent under applicable law.
Blocking strictly necessary cookies via your browser may prevent you from logging in, enrolling in courses, or completing purchases.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
igurus_session | iGurus (first-party) | Maintains your authenticated session across page requests | Session |
XSRF-TOKEN | iGurus (first-party) | Prevents cross-site request forgery on all form submissions | Session |
remember_web_* | iGurus (first-party) | Keeps you logged in between browser sessions when "Remember me" is selected | 30 days |
igurus_locale | iGurus (first-party) | Stores your selected platform language (English, Hindi, Arabic) | 1 year |
igurus_consent | iGurus (first-party) | Records your cookie consent preferences (localStorage) so we don't prompt on every visit | 1 year |
Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how learners interact with iGURUS so we can improve the experience. All data is de-identified before analysis.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users for traffic reporting | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users on a 24-hour rolling basis | 24 hours |
_gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate to Google's servers | 1 minute |
igurus_perf | iGURUS (first-party) | Tracks page load times and feature usage for internal performance monitoring | 30 days |
igurus_ab | iGURUS (first-party) | Assigns users to A/B test variants for UI experiments | 90 days |
We use Google Analytics with IP anonymisation enabled. No raw IP addresses are stored or transmitted to Google. You can opt out of Google Analytics across all websites using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Functional Cookies
Functional cookies enable enhanced features and personalisation. Disabling them may reduce comfort but won't break core platform access.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
igurus_currency | iGurus (first-party) | Stores your preferred display currency (INR, NGN, PHP, USD) | 1 year |
igurus_player_vol | iGurus (first-party) | Remembers your video volume and playback speed preference for Sparx and lesson videos | 6 months |
igurus_theme | iGurus (first-party) | Saves your UI theme preference (light / dark) if applicable | 1 year |
igurus_cart | iGurus (first-party) | Persists your course cart between sessions so you don't lose items | 7 days |
igurus_community_draft | iGurus (first-party) | Auto-saves community group post drafts locally to prevent loss on accidental navigation | Session |
Targeting & Advertising Cookies
These cookies are only placed after you give explicit consent via our cookie banner. They help us show you relevant course recommendations on other websites.
If you did not accept marketing cookies, none of the cookies below are present on your device. You can update your preferences at any time via the Cookie Preferences link in the footer.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_fbp | Meta (Facebook) | Tracks visits to serve relevant ads on Facebook and Instagram | 3 months |
IDE | Google DoubleClick | Used by Google to serve targeted advertisements across the Google Display Network | 13 months |
fr | Meta | Delivers, measures, and improves the relevancy of ads on Facebook products | 3 months |
test_cookie | Checks if the user's browser supports cookies — a prerequisite for ad delivery | Session |
Third-Party Cookies
Some iGURUS features integrate third-party services that set their own cookies. We list the key ones below.
- YouTube (Sparx & lessons)
- When you watch a Sparx or video lesson hosted on YouTube, Google may set cookies to measure engagement and serve personalised recommendations. These are governed by Google's Privacy Policy. We embed videos in privacy-enhanced mode where possible.
- Zoom / Jitsi (Live sessions)
- Attending a live class requires connecting to Zoom or Jitsi, which may set session and authentication cookies on their own domains. Review Zoom's Privacy Policy for details.
- Payment gateways
- Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal, Flutterwave, and Paystack use cookies during the checkout process to detect fraud and process your transaction. No full payment card data is stored by iGURUS.
- Social login (Google / Facebook / GitHub)
- If you log in using a social account, the respective provider sets authentication cookies on their domain to verify your identity. iGURUS does not receive your social account password.
- Google Fonts / CDN assets
- Loading the Inter typeface and other CDN-hosted assets may log your IP address on Google's servers in accordance with their privacy policy. We aim to self-host fonts where feasible to minimise this.
iGURUS is not responsible for the cookie practices of these third parties. We recommend reviewing each provider's own privacy and cookie policy if you have concerns.
Consent & Your Choices
You are in control. Here is how our consent model works and what your options are.
Cookie banner
When you first visit iGURUS, a cookie consent banner appears. You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customise by category. Strictly necessary cookies are always active regardless of your choice.
Changing your preferences
You can update your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the Cookie Preferences link in the footer of any page. Your new preference takes effect immediately and the cookie_consent cookie is updated.
Withdrawing consent
Withdrawing consent for analytics or marketing cookies means those cookies will not be placed on future page loads. It does not automatically delete cookies already on your device — see Section 09 for how to clear existing cookies in your browser.
Legal basis
Strictly necessary cookies are placed on the basis of our legitimate interests in running a functional platform. All other cookies are placed on the basis of your explicit consent, which you can withdraw at any time without affecting prior lawful processing.
EU, UK, and Indian users: Under GDPR and India's DPDP Act 2023, you have the right to object to or restrict certain types of data processing, including processing based on legitimate interests. Email dpo@igurus.org to exercise these rights.
Managing Cookies in Your Browser
Most browsers let you view, block, or delete cookies. Here are the quick-access settings for the most common ones.
- Open Chrome menu (⋮)
- Settings → Privacy and security
- Cookies and other site data
- Choose your preference
- Open Firefox menu (☰)
- Settings → Privacy & Security
- Cookies and Site Data
- Manage or clear cookies
- Safari menu → Settings
- Privacy tab
- Manage Website Data
- Remove specific or all
- Open Edge menu (⋯)
- Settings → Cookies and site permissions
- Cookies and site data
- Manage preferences
- Opera menu → Settings
- Advanced → Privacy & security
- Site Settings → Cookies
- Choose your preference
- Device Settings → Safari
- Privacy & Security section
- Block All Cookies toggle
- Or use a privacy-focused browser
Blocking all cookies (including strictly necessary ones) will prevent you from logging into iGURUS. We recommend blocking only analytics and marketing cookies if you wish to use the platform.
Updates to This Policy
We review this Cookie Policy whenever we add new integrations, change our analytics providers, or when applicable law is updated. Material changes — such as adding a new cookie category or a new third-party provider — will be communicated via an in-platform notice at least 14 days before taking effect. Minor clarifications may be made without advance notice.
The effective date at the top of this page always reflects the date of the most recent revision. If you continue using iGURUS after the effective date of any update, you are accepting the revised Cookie Policy. Previous versions are available on request by emailing dpo@igurus.org.
Contact Us
Questions about cookies, your consent, or your data rights? Our privacy team reads every message and responds within 30 days.
Questions about cookies?
Our privacy team is happy to explain what any specific cookie does or help you adjust your preferences.
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