Cookie Policy
How we use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience
Last updated: August 23, 2025
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences, maintaining your login session, and analyzing how you use our platform.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly:
- Authentication Cookies: Store your login session and user preferences
- Security Cookies: Help protect against unauthorized access
- Session Cookies: Maintain your active session while using the platform
Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance your user experience:
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices
- Language Cookies: Store your preferred language
- Theme Cookies: Remember your visual preferences
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how you use our platform:
- Performance Cookies: Monitor page load times and performance
- Usage Cookies: Track which features are most popular
- Error Cookies: Help identify and fix technical issues
3. Specific Cookies We Use
User Authentication Cookie
Name: user
Purpose: Stores your authentication token and user data
Duration: Session-based (deleted when you close your browser)
Security: HTTP-only, secure, same-site strict
Contains: JWT token, user ID, username
Access: Server-side only (not accessible via JavaScript)
Required: Yes, for logged-in functionality
Admin Authentication Cookie
Name: admin
Purpose: Stores admin authentication token and permissions
Duration: Session-based (deleted when you close your browser)
Security: HTTP-only, secure, same-site strict
Contains: Admin JWT token, admin ID, role
Access: Server-side only (not accessible via JavaScript)
Required: Yes, for admin panel access
4. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes:
- Authentication: Keep you logged in and maintain your session
- Security: Protect your account and prevent unauthorized access
- Preferences: Remember your settings and choices
- Performance: Optimize page loading and platform performance
- Analytics: Understand how you use our platform to improve it
- Functionality: Enable core features like game picks and leaderboards
5. Third-Party Cookies
Currently, we do not use third-party cookies or tracking services. All cookies on our platform are first-party cookies that we set directly. If we introduce third-party services in the future, we will update this policy and provide you with opt-out options.
6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings:
- Block all cookies (may affect platform functionality)
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete existing cookies
- Set cookies to expire when you close your browser
Platform-Specific Options
Within our platform, you can:
- Sign out to clear authentication cookies
- Clear your browser data to remove all cookies
- Use incognito/private browsing mode
Important Note
Disabling essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of our platform, including logging in, making picks, and accessing your account.
7. Data Protection and Security
We take the security of your data seriously:
- HTTP-Only: Authentication cookies cannot be accessed by JavaScript
- Secure: Cookies are only transmitted over HTTPS connections
- Same-Site: Cookies are restricted to our domain only
- Minimal Data: We only store essential information in cookies
- Automatic Expiry: Cookies expire when you close your browser
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us through the support channels provided in our platform or email us at support@pickemszn.com .
By using PickemSZN, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.