Introduction and GDPR Compliance

This Cookie Policy explains how WorldSeeIran ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our informational website. This policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law), and other applicable data protection and privacy laws.

Important: This is an informational website about Iran. We do NOT collect personal data from visitors to this website. We use cookies only for essential website functionality and, with your explicit consent, for optional analytics purposes.

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to the owners of the site. Cookies allow a website to recognize your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions.

Note: Some features of our website may also use browser localStorage (a similar technology to cookies) to store preferences locally on your device. Like cookies, localStorage data is stored on your device and can be cleared through your browser settings.

Legal Basis: Essential cookies are necessary for the legitimate interests of operating our website securely and providing functionality. Analytics cookies are used only with your explicit consent, which you can withdraw at any time.

How We Use Cookies

WorldSeeIran uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

• Ensure the proper functioning of our website
• Remember your preferences and settings (theme, sidebar state)
• Maintain secure user authentication sessions
• Provide personalized content and features
• Maintain security and prevent fraud

Slogans and chant mode: Browsing slogans and using chant mode does not require additional cookies. Chant mode share links can include timing parameters in the URL (for example start time and speed) so that multiple devices can follow the same timeline.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, authentication, and network management. You may not be able to opt-out of these cookies, but you can block them by changing your browser settings, though this may impact how the website functions.

• Authentication Cookies (Better-Auth): Used to maintain secure user sessions for admin access. These cookies store session tokens that authenticate logged-in users.
  • Cookie Name: better-auth.session_token (or similar, set by Better-Auth library)
  • Purpose: User authentication and session management
  • Duration: 7 days (expires after 7 days of inactivity)
  • Security: HttpOnly, Secure (in production), SameSite=Lax
• Next.js Framework Cookies: Next.js may set cookies for framework functionality, routing, and server-side rendering purposes.

Preference Cookies

These cookies allow our website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, enhancing your user experience.

• Theme Preference Cookie (next-themes): Stores your preferred theme setting (light mode, dark mode, or system preference).
  • Cookie Name: theme (or similar, set by next-themes library)
  • Purpose: Remember your theme preference (light/dark/system)
  • Duration: Persistent (until you change it or clear cookies)
  • Storage: May use localStorage instead of cookies (browser-dependent)
• Sidebar State Cookie: Remembers whether the sidebar is expanded or collapsed (for admin interface).
  • Cookie Name: sidebar_state
  • Purpose: Remember sidebar open/closed state
  • Duration: 7 days
  • Path: /

Analytics and Tracking Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We use analytics cookies only with your explicit consent.

• Google Analytics (gtag.js): We use Google Analytics to understand website usage and improve our services. This service collects anonymous data about:
  • Cookie Name: _ga, _ga_*, _gid (set by Google Analytics)
  • Purpose: Website analytics and usage statistics
  • Duration: 2 years (_ga), 1 minute (_gid), 2 years (_ga_*)
  • Privacy Settings: We have configured Google Analytics with IP anonymization and Do Not Track (DNT) respect enabled
  • Data Collected: Page views, session duration, device type, browser type, and geographic location (anonymized)
  • Third Party: Google LLC - Google Privacy Policy
  • Consent Required: Yes - these cookies are only set if you consent to "Measurement" cookies

You can control these cookies: Analytics cookies are optional and require your explicit consent. You can accept or reject them when you first visit our site, or change your preferences at any time using our Cookie Preferences tool (available in the footer or via the cookie banner).

We do NOT use: Facebook Pixel, advertising tracking pixels, behavioral tracking cookies, or any marketing/advertising cookies.

Third-Party Cookies

We do not use third-party cookies for advertising or tracking purposes. However, when you visit external links from our website (such as social media links), those third-party websites may set their own cookies. We have no control over these cookies.

Third-party services we link to:

• Social Media Platforms: Links to Instagram and X (Twitter) - these platforms may set cookies when you visit their websites
• External Websites: Links to worldseeiran.org and other external resources
• Map tile providers (Solidarity Hub): When you view the Solidarity map, your browser loads map tiles from third-party providers (for example, OpenStreetMap and CARTO). These requests may be logged by the providers and may be subject to their own cookies and privacy practices.

We do not control the setting of these cookies, so please check the third-party websites for more information about their cookies and how to manage them.

Managing Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie rights by setting your preferences in your browser settings. Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. However, limiting cookies may impact your experience using our website.

Browser Settings

You can set your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. Here are links to instructions for managing cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Please note that if you choose to disable cookies, some features of our website may not function properly or may not be available to you.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. We respect Do Not Track signals:

• Google Analytics: We have configured Google Analytics to respect Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals. If your browser sends a DNT signal, Google Analytics will not track your activity, even if you have previously consented to analytics cookies
• Essential Cookies: Essential cookies necessary for website functionality may still be set, as these are required for legitimate interests (security and website operation) regardless of DNT signals

Note: While we respect DNT signals for analytics purposes, you can also manage your cookie preferences directly through our Cookie Preferences tool, which provides more granular control over which cookies are set.

Your Rights Regarding Cookies (GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive, you have the following rights regarding cookies:

• The right to be informed: You have the right to know what cookies we use and why (this Cookie Policy provides that information)
• The right to consent: You have the right to give or withhold consent for non-essential cookies (analytics cookies)
• The right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw your consent for analytics cookies at any time through our Cookie Preferences tool
• The right to access: You can access information about what cookies are set on your device through your browser settings
• The right to delete: You can delete cookies at any time through your browser settings
• The right to object: You have the right to object to the use of analytics cookies (you can reject them in our cookie banner or preferences tool)

How to Exercise Your Rights: You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using our Cookie Preferences tool (available in the footer or via the cookie banner). You can also delete cookies through your browser settings. For more information or to exercise other data protection rights, contact us at privacy@worldseeiran.org.

Cookie Retention

The length of time a cookie remains on your device depends on its purpose:

• Authentication Cookies: Expire after 7 days of inactivity. The session is automatically refreshed daily if you remain active.
• Theme Preference: Stored until you change your preference or clear your browser data. Uses localStorage (not a cookie) in most browsers.
• Sidebar State Cookie: Expires after 7 days. Automatically refreshed when you interact with the sidebar.
• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser (used by Next.js framework)
• Google Analytics Cookies: Only set if you consent to "Measurement" cookies. These include _ga (2 years), _gid (1 minute), and _ga_* (2 years). You can withdraw consent at any time.

You can delete all cookies at any time through your browser settings. Note that deleting cookies will log you out of your account and reset your preferences.

Cookies We Do NOT Use

To protect your privacy, we do not use:

• Facebook Pixel or social media tracking pixels
• Advertising or marketing cookies
• Third-party advertising networks
• Behavioral tracking cookies (we use Google Analytics for basic analytics only, not behavioral tracking)
• Cross-site tracking technologies
• Retargeting or remarketing cookies

We believe in privacy-first web experiences. We only use essential cookies and optional analytics cookies (Google Analytics) with your explicit consent. We do not use any advertising, marketing, or behavioral tracking technologies.

Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our data practices. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Cookie Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.

More Information

For more information about cookies and how they work, you can visit:

• www.allaboutcookies.org
• www.youronlinechoices.com

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@worldseeiran.org

Website: worldseeiran.org