Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how Dot Coms, Inc. may use cookies, local storage, pixels, tags, scripts, server logs, device identifiers, and comparable technologies in connection with Psychologist.NEWS. It supplements the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and should be read together with those documents.

Some technologies are necessary to deliver pages, protect the Service, remember settings, and maintain reliable operation. Other technologies may support analytics, performance measurement, traffic attribution, security, advertising, or embedded services. The availability of consent tools and opt-out mechanisms may depend on the technology, provider, browser, device, and applicable law.

1. What cookies and similar technologies are

Cookies are small text files placed on a device by a website or service provider. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, pixels, tags, scripts, software development kits, device identifiers, and server-side logging.

These technologies can recognize a browser or device, preserve settings, support security, measure activity, and connect events across pages or sessions.

They do not necessarily identify a person by name, but associated identifiers may be treated as personal information under some laws.

Technologies may be set when a page loads, when a visitor submits a search, when a link is selected, when a security check occurs, or when an embedded service is activated. The exact names, values, and expiration periods may change as providers and technical configurations evolve.

Cookie classifications are functional descriptions rather than legal conclusions. A technology considered essential in one jurisdiction or configuration may require consent elsewhere. Dot Coms, Inc. may adjust categorization and consent behavior to reflect legal, technical, or operational requirements.

Blocking or deleting technologies may not prevent all server-side processing because web servers ordinarily receive request information such as IP address, user agent, requested URL, timestamp, and response status. Browser controls primarily affect storage or access on the visitor’s device.

Third-party providers may combine information collected through Psychologist.NEWS with information obtained from other websites or services, subject to their own terms and privacy notices. Dot Coms, Inc. does not control independent provider databases or downstream processing beyond contractual and legal rights available to it.

Visitors are responsible for configuring each browser, device, profile, and application they use. A preference saved on one device may not automatically apply to another, and deleting storage may remove prior consent or opt-out selections.

2. Who places technologies

First-party technologies are placed or controlled by Psychologist.NEWS or Dot Coms, Inc. Third-party technologies are placed or controlled by hosting, analytics, security, advertising, traffic measurement, or other providers.

A third party may receive technical information directly from a browser and may process it under its own terms and privacy policy.

Dot Coms, Inc. does not control how external publishers use cookies after a user leaves Psychologist.NEWS.

3. Strictly necessary technologies

Essential technologies support page delivery, load balancing, security, fraud prevention, request routing, preference storage, and other functions necessary to operate the Service.

These technologies may function without consent where permitted because disabling them could prevent the Service from operating correctly.

Blocking them may cause broken pages, failed searches, repeated notices, reduced security, or other functional problems.

4. Functional technologies

Functional technologies may remember display choices, language, accessibility settings, search preferences, or other nonessential options.

They improve convenience but are not always necessary for core page delivery.

If disabled, the Service may remain available but may not remember prior choices.

5. Analytics and measurement technologies

Analytics technologies may record page views, sessions, referrers, navigation paths, approximate location, device type, browser characteristics, link interactions, and performance events.

The resulting information helps assess readership, identify errors, understand category usage, improve design, and allocate infrastructure.

Reports may be aggregated, pseudonymous, or associated with identifiers depending on the provider.

6. Security and abuse-prevention technologies

Security technologies may detect bots, excessive requests, malicious traffic, fraud, suspicious behavior, or attempts to bypass controls.

Identifiers may be used to rate limit, block, challenge, or investigate activity that threatens the Service or other users.

Security records may be retained longer when related to an incident, legal request, or enforcement action.

7. Advertising, sponsorship, and conversion technologies

The Service may use advertising or promotional technologies that measure impressions, clicks, conversions, or campaign effectiveness.

Depending on provider and jurisdiction, such technologies may support contextual advertising, frequency control, attribution, or interest-based advertising.

Where consent or opt-out rights are required, applicable controls will be provided or recognized.

8. Embedded content and linked services

Scripts, widgets, buttons, security services, analytics tools, and other embedded resources may place or read technologies when a page loads or when a user interacts with them.

External article pages and resource links operate independently and may use their own cookies immediately upon navigation.

Users should review third-party policies before interacting with embedded or linked services.

9. Session and persistent duration

Session cookies generally expire when the browser closes. Persistent cookies remain until their configured expiration date or until deleted.

Some local-storage identifiers remain until cleared. Server logs may persist independently of browser cookies.

Duration varies according to purpose, provider configuration, security requirements, and legal obligations.

10. Consent and preference management

Where law requires consent for nonessential technologies, consent may be requested before activation. Users may accept, reject, or adjust available categories where controls are offered.

Consent choices may be stored in a cookie or local-storage record so the preference can be remembered.

Clearing browser storage may erase the preference and cause the notice to reappear.

11. Browser and device controls

Most browsers allow users to view, block, delete, or restrict cookies. Mobile devices may provide separate advertising or tracking controls.

Blocking all cookies may interfere with security, preferences, analytics accuracy, and site functionality.

Instructions vary by browser and device; users should consult official support documentation for current steps.

12. Global Privacy Control and opt-out signals

Where legally required and technically supported, the Service may recognize Global Privacy Control or other valid opt-out preference signals.

A signal may apply only to the browser or device from which it is sent and may not affect technologies on external publisher websites.

Because standards evolve, implementation may change as legal and technical requirements develop.

13. Third-party opt-out tools

Some analytics or advertising providers offer independent opt-out tools. Using such a tool is governed by the provider and may require an opt-out cookie.

Deleting cookies may remove an opt-out cookie and require the user to repeat the choice.

Dot Coms, Inc. is not responsible for the availability or effectiveness of third-party opt-out mechanisms.

14. International users

Cookie requirements differ across jurisdictions. Dot Coms, Inc. seeks to apply reasonable controls appropriate to the Service, but not every jurisdiction uses the same classifications or consent rules.

Mandatory rights that cannot be waived remain applicable. Users may contact Client Assistance with jurisdiction-specific questions.

Accessing the Service from another country may involve processing by providers located elsewhere.

15. Relationship to other policies

The Privacy Policy explains broader information practices, including purposes, disclosures, retention, security, and rights. The Terms of Use govern legal access and responsibility.

If there is a conflict, mandatory law controls; otherwise the policies should be read together and harmonized.

External websites remain governed by their own policies.

16. Changes to this Cookie Policy

Dot Coms, Inc. may update this Policy to reflect changes in technologies, providers, law, consent mechanisms, or Service features.

The effective date will be revised when changes are posted. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acknowledgment to the extent permitted by law.

Material changes may be highlighted, but individualized notice is not guaranteed unless required.

17. Contact

Questions about cookies, consent, preference signals, or related privacy practices may be submitted through Client Assistance.

Requests should identify Psychologist.NEWS, the browser or device involved, the jurisdiction, and the specific concern so it can be evaluated efficiently.