Cookie Policy
Last Updated: January 8, 2025
1. INTRODUCTION
This Cookie Policy explains how BestRate.lk, operated by Saminda Vithanage (sole proprietor), uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website at www.bestrate.lk.
1.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They help the website remember information about your visit, making it easier to use and more useful to you.
💡 Simple Explanation:
Think of cookies as digital sticky notes that help websites remember your preferences, like your language choice or items in a shopping cart. They make your browsing experience smoother and more personalized.
1.2 Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Make our website work properly
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how you use our website
- Improve your user experience
- Show you relevant advertisements
- Analyze website traffic and performance
1.3 Consent Mechanism
BWhen you first access BestRate.lk, you will be presented with a Cookie Consent Banner. By continuing to use the Service after viewing the banner, clicking "Accept All," or selecting your preferences, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. You have the right to withdraw this consent at any time using the browser controls or opt-out tools listed in Section 4.
2. TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE
2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)
✅ REQUIRED FOR WEBSITE FUNCTION
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. Because they are necessary for site security and basic operation, they are always placed and do not require user consent.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
session_id |
Maintains your session while browsing | Session (deleted when browser closes) |
cookie_consent |
Remembers your cookie preferences | 1 year |
security_token |
Protects against security threats | Session |
2.2 Functional Cookies (Preference Cookies)
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your language preference) and provide enhanced, personalized features.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
language_pref |
Remembers your language choice | 1 year |
calculator_settings |
Saves your calculator preferences | 6 months |
theme_preference |
Remembers light/dark mode choice | 1 year |
saved_calculations |
Stores your recent loan calculations | 30 days |
2.3 Analytics Cookies (Performance Cookies)
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
_gid |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours |
_gat |
Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
_ga_* |
Google Analytics 4 | Stores session state | 2 years |
📊 What We Track: Page views, time on site, bounce rate, user flow, device type, browser type, geographic location (country/city level only).
🔒 Privacy: All analytics data is anonymized and aggregated. We cannot identify individual users.
2.4 Advertising Cookies (Targeting Cookies)
These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They also limit the number of times you see an ad and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_gcl_au |
Google AdSense | Stores conversion data | 3 months |
IDE |
Google DoubleClick | Serves targeted ads | 1 year |
test_cookie |
Google DoubleClick | Tests browser cookie support | 15 minutes |
NID |
Remembers preferences | 6 months |
2.5 Social Media Cookies
These cookies are set by social media services (such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn) that we have integrated into the site to enable you to share our content. We do not control these cookies. They may track your activity across other websites and build a profile of your interests, even if you do not actively click on the share buttons.
| Platform | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Share content, Like button | View Policy | |
| Share content, Tweet button | View Policy | |
| Share content, professional network | View Policy |
⚠️ Strong Warning: We strongly recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these third-party social media services to understand how they use cookies and your browsing data. Your interaction with these features is governed by the policies of the company providing the feature.
3. THIRD-PARTY COOKIES
In addition to our own cookies, we use cookies from third-party services to enhance your experience and analyze website performance.
3.1 Google Services
📊 Google Analytics
Purpose: Website traffic analysis
Data Collected: Page views, user behavior, demographics
Privacy: Google Privacy Policy
Opt-Out: GA Opt-out Browser Add-on
💰 Google AdSense
Purpose: Display advertisements
Data Collected: Browsing behavior, ad interactions
Privacy: Google Privacy Policy
Opt-Out: Google Ad Settings
3.2 Other Third-Party Services
| Service | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fonts | Display custom fonts | View Policy |
| Cloudflare | CDN and security | View Policy |
| Google reCAPTCHA | Spam protection | View Policy |
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We do not control third-party cookies. Please review the privacy policies of these services to understand how they use cookies and your data.
4. HOW TO MANAGE COOKIES
4.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Delete cookies after each browsing session
- Accept cookies from specific websites only
4.2 Browser-Specific Instructions
🌐 Google Chrome
- Click the three dots (⋮) in the top right
- Go to Settings → Privacy and security
- Click "Cookies and other site data"
- Choose your preferred setting
🦊 Mozilla Firefox
- Click the three lines (≡) in the top right
- Go to Settings → Privacy & Security
- Under "Cookies and Site Data"
- Choose your preferred setting
🧭 Safari (Mac)
- Click Safari in the menu bar
- Go to Preferences → Privacy
- Choose "Block all cookies" or customize
- Close the window to save
🌊 Microsoft Edge
- Click the three dots (⋯) in the top right
- Go to Settings → Privacy, search, and services
- Under "Tracking prevention"
- Choose your preferred level
4.3 Mobile Devices
📱 iOS (iPhone/iPad)
- Open Settings app
- Scroll down to Safari
- Tap "Privacy & Security"
- Toggle "Block All Cookies"
🤖 Android
- Open Chrome app
- Tap three dots (⋮) → Settings
- Tap "Site settings" → Cookies
- Choose your preferred setting
4.4 Opt-Out Tools
You can also use these opt-out tools:
- Google Analytics Opt-out: Download Browser Add-on
- Google Ad Settings: Manage Ad Preferences
- Network Advertising Initiative: Opt-out of Interest-Based Ads
- Digital Advertising Alliance: Consumer Choice Page
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE:
Blocking or deleting cookies may affect your experience on BestRate.lk. Some features may not work properly, and you may need to re-enter preferences each time you visit.
5. DO NOT TRACK SIGNALS
Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to have your online activity tracked.
⚠️ CURRENT STATUS:
Currently, there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals. BestRate.lk does not currently respond to DNT signals. We will update this policy if industry standards are established.
5.1 How to Enable Do Not Track
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Send a "Do Not Track" request
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Send websites a "Do Not Track" signal
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Website tracking: Ask websites not to track me
- Edge: Settings → Privacy → Send "Do Not Track" requests
6. COOKIES AND YOUR PRIVACY
6.1 What Information Do Cookies Collect?
Cookies may collect:
- IP address (anonymized)
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring website
- Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
- Screen resolution
- General location (country/city level)
6.2 What Cookies Do NOT Collect
✅ YOUR PRIVACY IS PROTECTED:
Cookies on BestRate.lk do NOT collect:
- Personal identification information (name, address, phone)
- Financial information (bank accounts, credit cards)
- Passwords or login credentials
- Sensitive personal data
- Exact GPS location
6.3 Data Security
We implement appropriate security measures to protect cookie data:
- Secure HTTPS encryption
- Regular security audits
- Limited data retention periods
- Anonymization of analytics data
7. UPDATES TO THIS COOKIE POLICY
7.1 Policy Changes
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes in our cookie usage
- New technologies or features
- Legal or regulatory requirements
- User feedback and best practices
7.2 Notification of Changes
When we make changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Post a notice on our website
- Send email notification (if you subscribed)
7.3 Your Continued Use
Your continued use of BestRate.lk after changes to this Cookie Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
8. CONTACT US
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
📞 Contact Information
Operated By:
Saminda Vithanage (Sole Proprietor)
Primary Email:
Alternative Email:
Phone/WhatsApp:
Website:
9. RELATED POLICIES
For more information about how we protect your privacy, please review:
Last Updated: January 8, 2025