Cookie Policy

Last Updated: November 6, 2025

Privacy First: Apotentia LLC uses cookies minimally and only for essential functionality and security. We do not use tracking cookies, advertising cookies, or share cookie data with third parties. This policy explains what cookies we use and why.

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 allow the website to recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferences and login status.

Cookies can be "session cookies" (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them).

2. How Gecker Uses Cookies

Unlike most social media platforms, Apotentia LLC uses cookies ONLY for essential functionality—never for advertising, tracking, or analytics that could compromise your privacy.

3. Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for Gecker to function. You cannot disable them without breaking core functionality.

3.1 Session Authentication

Cookie Name: gecker_session

Purpose: Keeps you logged in as you navigate between pages

Duration: 2 hours (session), or 30 days if "Remember Me" is checked

Data Stored: Encrypted session identifier (no personal data)

3.2 CSRF Protection

Cookie Name: XSRF-TOKEN

Purpose: Protects against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks

Duration: 2 hours (session)

Data Stored: Random security token

3.3 Device Recognition

Cookie Name: device_token

Purpose: Recognizes trusted devices for security features

Duration: 30 days (if "Remember Device" is checked)

Data Stored: Unique device identifier (no personal data)

4. Preference Cookies

These cookies remember your settings and preferences to enhance your experience.

4.1 Display Preferences

Cookie Name: layout_preference

Purpose: Remembers your preferred layout (grid/list view for Forests)

Duration: 1 year

Data Stored: Layout preference string

4.2 Notification Preferences

Cookie Name: notification_settings

Purpose: Stores your notification preferences

Duration: 1 year

Data Stored: Notification type preferences (on/off states)

5. What Gecker Does NOT Use

In keeping with our privacy-first philosophy, Apotentia LLC explicitly does NOT use:

  • Advertising cookies: We have no ads, so we have no need to track you for ad targeting
  • Analytics cookies: We don't use Google Analytics or similar third-party trackers
  • Social media cookies: We don't embed Facebook pixels, Twitter trackers, or similar widgets
  • Cross-site tracking cookies: Our cookies work only on Apotentia LLC, never across other websites
  • Fingerprinting techniques: We don't use canvas fingerprinting or similar tracking methods
  • Third-party cookies: We don't allow third parties to set cookies through our site

Privacy Guarantee: Apotentia LLC will NEVER sell, share, or monetize cookie data. Our cookies exist solely to make the platform work for you, not to track you for profit.

6. Managing Cookies

6.1 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

  • View cookies stored on your device
  • Delete individual cookies or all cookies
  • Block cookies from specific sites
  • Block all third-party cookies
  • Clear cookies when you close your browser

For instructions on managing cookies in your browser, visit:

6.2 Impact of Blocking Cookies

Important: If you block or delete essential cookies (session, CSRF protection), Apotentia LLC will not function properly. You may experience:

  • Inability to log in or stay logged in
  • Security warnings or blocked actions
  • Loss of preferences and settings

Blocking preference cookies will not break core functionality, but you'll need to reset preferences each time you visit.

7. Logged-Out Users

If you browse Apotentia LLC without logging in, we use minimal cookies:

  • CSRF token: For security on forms (like the contact page)
  • Session cookie: Temporary identifier to prevent abuse

These cookies contain no personal information and expire when you close your browser.

8. Do Not Track (DNT)

Apotentia LLC respects Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals. However, since we don't use tracking cookies or analytics in the first place, enabling DNT won't change your experience on our platform. We already don't track you.

9. International Users and GDPR

Apotentia LLC's minimal cookie usage complies with major privacy regulations, including:

  • GDPR (European Union): We only use strictly necessary cookies by default
  • CCPA (California): We don't sell personal information, including cookie data
  • ePrivacy Directive: Our essential cookies are exempt from consent requirements

Since we don't use non-essential tracking cookies, you won't see annoying cookie consent banners on Apotentia LLC.

10. Third-Party Services

Apotentia LLC uses some third-party services that may set their own cookies when you interact with them:

10.1 Payment Processing (Stripe)

When you make a donation through Stripe, Stripe may set cookies to process your payment securely. These cookies are governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy.

10.2 Email Delivery (SendGrid)

SendGrid handles our transactional emails (invitations, notifications). They do not set cookies on Apotentia LLC, but may track email opens if you load images in emails. See Twilio/SendGrid's Privacy Policy.

11. Security

Apotentia LLC takes cookie security seriously:

  • HttpOnly flag: Session cookies cannot be accessed by JavaScript (prevents XSS attacks)
  • Secure flag: Cookies are only sent over HTTPS connections
  • SameSite attribute: Cookies are not sent with cross-site requests (prevents CSRF attacks)
  • Encryption: Session data is encrypted before storage
  • Expiration: Cookies have reasonable expiration times

12. Children's Privacy

Apotentia LLC requires users to be 13 years or older. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13, and our cookies do not target minors.

13. Changes to This Policy

Apotentia LLC may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. If we add new types of cookies, we will update this page and notify logged-in users. Your continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Questions and Contact

If you have questions about how Apotentia LLC uses cookies, please contact us:

Apotentia LLC

P.O. Box 650121

Sterling, VA 20165-0121

Email: privacy@gecker.com

Website: https://gecker.com

Our Commitment: Apotentia LLC believes that privacy is a fundamental right, not a luxury. We use cookies sparingly and transparently, never for profit. If you have concerns about any cookie we use, please reach out—we're here to listen.