Cookie Policy
The Care Ratings — A service of Watch Digital LLC
Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how The Care Ratings, operated by Watch Digital LLC ("we," "us," or "our"), uses cookies and similar technologies on our website at thecareratings.com (the "Site"). This Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides additional context about how we handle personal information.
We have designed our Site with privacy in mind. We use a minimal number of cookies, we do not use third-party advertising cookies, and our analytics system (Umami) is cookieless by design.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide website operators with information about how their site is being used.
Similar technologies include:
- Local Storage: A browser-based storage mechanism that functions similarly to cookies but stores more data and does not expire automatically.
- Session Storage: Similar to local storage but cleared when you close your browser tab.
- Pixel Tags / Web Beacons: Tiny invisible images embedded in web pages or emails that can track whether a page or email was opened.
2. What Cookies We Use
We use a minimal set of cookies, categorized as follows:
2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Site to function. They cannot be disabled because the Site cannot operate without them. They do not collect any information that could be used for marketing.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
session_token | The Care Ratings | Maintains your logged-in session after authentication | Session (cleared when browser closes) |
csrf_token | The Care Ratings | Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks | Session |
cf_clearance | Cloudflare | Confirms you have passed Cloudflare's security check (Turnstile bot protection) | 30 minutes to 24 hours |
__cf_bm | Cloudflare | Bot management — distinguishes human users from automated traffic | 30 minutes |
2.2 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we use. Disabling these cookies may affect the functionality of certain features.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
user_preferences | The Care Ratings | Stores your display preferences (e.g., list vs. map view in search results) | 12 months |
geo_region | The Care Ratings | Stores your detected geographic region (state level) to personalize homepage content | 7 days |
compare_list | The Care Ratings | Stores your current facility comparison list (up to 3 facilities) | Session |
recent_searches | The Care Ratings | Stores your recent search queries for convenience | 30 days |
2.3 Analytics Cookies
We do not use traditional analytics cookies.
Our analytics platform is Umami, a privacy-focused, open-source analytics tool that we self-host. Umami collects anonymized usage data without using cookies, without tracking individual users across sessions, and without sharing any data with third parties. Umami is fully compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and PECR without requiring a cookie consent banner.
The data Umami collects is limited to: page views, session duration, referral source, country and region (not city or precise location), browser type, and device type. No personally identifiable information is collected or stored.
2.4 Third-Party Cookies
We use a limited number of third-party services that may set cookies. We have selected these services specifically because they are privacy-respecting.
| Service | Purpose | Cookie Type | Their Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | CDN, security, bot protection (Turnstile) | Strictly necessary | cloudflare.com/privacypolicy |
| Stripe | Payment processing (only on payment pages) | Strictly necessary | stripe.com/privacy |
We do not use:
- Google Analytics or any Google advertising cookies
- Facebook Pixel or any Meta advertising cookies
- Any third-party behavioral advertising or retargeting cookies
- Any data broker or audience enrichment cookies
3. Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we use browser Local Storage for the following purposes:
| Key | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
careratings_theme | Stores your display theme preference (light/dark mode if applicable) | Persistent until cleared |
careratings_saved_facilities | Stores saved facilities for non-logged-in visitors (synced to account on login) | 30 days |
careratings_ai_chat_history | Stores your current AI Care Advisor conversation locally for continuity | Session |
Local storage data is stored entirely on your device and is not transmitted to our servers except where explicitly noted (e.g., saved facilities are synced to your account upon login).
4. Cloudflare Turnstile
We use Cloudflare Turnstile as our bot protection solution on all forms across the Site, including account registration, login, review submission, the Add Listing form, the Report Listing form, and the contact form.
Turnstile is a privacy-preserving alternative to traditional CAPTCHA systems. It does not use cookies for its core functionality and does not collect behavioral data for advertising purposes. Turnstile may use a short-lived cookie (cf_clearance) to confirm that a challenge has been passed. This cookie is strictly necessary for security purposes.
Cloudflare Turnstile is fully GDPR-compliant and does not require a cookie consent banner under EU law.
5. How to Control Cookies
5.1 Browser Settings
You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. The following links provide instructions for the most common browsers:
Please note that disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent you from logging in and using account features on the Site.
5.2 Opt-Out of Specific Services
- Cloudflare: Cloudflare cookies are strictly necessary for security and cannot be opted out of while using the Site. For more information, see Cloudflare's privacy policy.
- Stripe: Stripe cookies are only set on payment pages and are strictly necessary for payment processing. For more information, see Stripe's privacy policy.
5.3 Do Not Track
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. Because our analytics system (Umami) does not track individual users by design, our Site effectively honors the spirit of DNT regardless of whether the signal is present. We do not respond to DNT signals in a technical sense because we do not engage in the cross-site tracking that DNT is designed to prevent.
6. Cookie Consent
Because we use only strictly necessary and functional cookies — and our analytics system is cookieless — we do not display a cookie consent banner to users in the European Union or California. Our cookie use falls within the exemptions provided by the EU ePrivacy Directive (PECR) for cookies that are strictly necessary for the provision of a service requested by the user.
If we introduce any new cookies that require consent in the future, we will update this Policy and implement an appropriate consent mechanism before doing so.
7. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Policy and, where appropriate, notify you by email or through a notice on the Site.
8. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
By Email: legal@watchdigital.agency
By Contact Form: thecareratings.com/contact
We do not accept requests submitted by physical mail.
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