Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how the Benton Woods HOA website (bentonwoods.org) uses cookies. We believe in complete transparency about our cookie usage.

Summary: We use only essential cookies necessary for the neighborhood directory login. We do NOT use any tracking, advertising, or third-party cookies.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember certain information about your visit.

Many websites use dozens or even hundreds of cookies to track your behavior. We don't do that.

3. Cookies We Use

We use exactly ONE type of cookie:

That's it. One cookie. No hidden surprises.

4. Why We Use This Cookie

The directory login cookie is essential because:

• It keeps you logged into the password-protected neighborhood directory
• It prevents you from having to enter the password on every page
• It expires when you close your browser for security
• It contains no personal information - just a session identifier

Without this cookie, the directory would be unusable as you'd need to log in repeatedly.

5. What Information Is Stored?

Our session cookie contains:

• A random session identifier (like "abc123xyz789")
• No personal information
• No tracking data
• No browsing history

6. Third-Party Services

We use minimal third-party services:

• Bootstrap CSS: Loaded from CDN, does not set cookies
• jQuery: JavaScript library, does not set cookies

These services do not track you or set cookies on our site.

7. Your Cookie Choices

Managing Our Cookie

You can:

• Delete the session cookie at any time through your browser settings
• Use private/incognito browsing to automatically delete the cookie when done
• Disable cookies entirely (but you won't be able to access the directory)

How to Delete Cookies

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data

8. Do Not Track

We respect Do Not Track (DNT) browser settings, though it doesn't affect us since we don't track you anyway. Whether DNT is on or off, we operate the same way - no tracking.

9. Children and Cookies

Our website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect any information from children. Our single session cookie works the same for all users.

10. Cookie Security

Our session cookie is configured with security in mind:

• HttpOnly flag (when possible) to prevent JavaScript access
• Secure flag for HTTPS connections
• SameSite attribute to prevent cross-site request forgery
• Automatic expiration on browser close

11. Changes to This Policy

If we ever change our cookie usage (highly unlikely), we will:

• Update this policy with the changes
• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify the community via email
• Never add tracking or advertising cookies without explicit consent

12. Contact Us

13. Your Privacy Rights

Regardless of where you live, we provide these rights to all users:

• Right to know what cookies we use (this page!)
• Right to refuse non-essential cookies (we don't have any)
• Right to delete cookies at any time
• Right to browse without being tracked (guaranteed!)