Cookie Policy
01 Introduction
Welcome to aretefidelis. This Cookie Policy explains how I use cookies and similar tracking technologies on my portfolio website. It is designed to be transparent and compliant with the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (PDPL), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the ePrivacy Directive where applicable.
This policy works alongside my Privacy Policy, which provides more detail on how I handle your personal data.
Key Principle: I only use cookies that are strictly necessary for the website to function without your explicit consent. All other cookies require your clear, informed, and freely given consent before they are placed on your device.[reference:7][reference:8]
02 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, enhance user experience, and provide information to the website owners.
Cookies can be:
- Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.
- First-Party Cookies: Set by the website you are visiting.
- Third-Party Cookies: Set by a domain other than the one you are visiting.
03 Types of Cookies We Use
This website uses the following categories of cookies:
🔒 Strictly Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot disable these cookies.
- Theme preference (which theme mode you selected)
- Cookie consent preference
- Session management
📊 Analytics Cookies
Requires Consent
These cookies help me understand how visitors interact with my website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps me improve the user experience.
- Pages visited
- Time spent on pages
- Referral sources
- Interaction patterns
📢 Marketing / Advertising Cookies
Requires Consent
These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They may be set by third-party advertising partners.
- Ad personalization
- Campaign performance tracking
- Remarketing
⚡ Preferences / Functional Cookies
Requires Consent
These cookies remember your preferences and settings to provide a more personalized experience.
- Language preferences
- Font size preferences
- Interface customization
04 How We Use Cookies
I use cookies for the following purposes:
- Essential Operations: To ensure the website functions correctly and securely.
- Performance & Analytics: To understand how visitors use the website and identify areas for improvement.
- Personalization: To remember your preferences (such as theme mode) for a better experience.
- Marketing: To deliver relevant content and advertisements (if applicable).
Important: I do not sell your personal data to third parties. Any data collected through cookies is used solely for the purposes described in this policy.
05 Third-Party Cookies
This website may use third-party services that place their own cookies. These services include:
- Hosting Provider: Vercel – for website deployment and performance monitoring.
- Form Service: Forminit – for processing contact form submissions.
- CDN Services: For loading fonts, scripts, and other resources efficiently.
These third-party services may use cookies to deliver their functionality. I do not control these cookies and recommend reviewing the respective privacy policies of these providers.
Third-Party Data Transfers: Some of these services may be located outside the UAE. In such cases, I ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data during international transfers, in compliance with the UAE PDPL and GDPR.[reference:9]
06 Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have full control over your cookie preferences. You can:
- Manage consent through the banner: When you first visit the website, a cookie banner will appear allowing you to Accept All, Reject All, or Customize your preferences.
- Change preferences at any time: You can change your preferences at any time through the "Manage Cookies" link in the footer.
- Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can block, delete, or disable cookies entirely.
Browser Instructions
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and stored data
Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the website.
07 Consent & Withdrawal
Under the UAE PDPL, consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous.[reference:10]
How Consent Works:
- When you first visit the website, you will see a cookie banner.
- You can choose to Accept All, Reject All, or Customize your preferences.
- No non-essential cookies will be placed until you make a choice.[reference:11]
- Your choice is stored in a necessary cookie for future visits.
Withdrawing Consent:
- You can withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the "Manage Cookies" link in the footer.
- You can also adjust your browser settings to delete or block cookies.
Your Rights: Under the UAE PDPL, you have the right to withdraw consent as easily as you gave it.[reference:12] The "Manage Cookies" link provides a simple way to do this.
08 Legal Basis
The processing of personal data through cookies is based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: For non-essential cookies (analytics, marketing, preferences), I rely on your explicit consent as required by the UAE PDPL and GDPR.[reference:13]
- Legitimate Interest: For strictly necessary cookies, I rely on legitimate interest as they are essential for the website to function.[reference:14]
- Legal Obligation: Where required by law, I may process data to comply with legal obligations.
Under the UAE PDPL, "consent is the default legal basis for processing personal data."[reference:15]
09 Changes to This Policy
I may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in my practices, legal requirements, or operational needs.
The most current version will always be available on this page, with the "Last Updated" date at the top. Significant changes will be communicated through the website.
I encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how I use cookies.
10 Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or how I use cookies: