Cookies Policy

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that our website places on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you use our site or web application. These files allow the application to recognize the user’s device and store certain information about your visit, so that it can offer you a more efficient and personalized experience on each access. Cookies can serve various roles – from keeping the session authenticated to remembering preferences (such as the selected language) or collecting anonymous statistics about the use of the application.

It is important to note that cookies do not contain software programs, viruses or spyware and cannot access information from the user’s hard disk. These files typically contain unique identifiers and information that allow the site or application to “remember” actions or preferences of the visitor from one session to another. According to European legislation (GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive), cookies that can identify users (directly or indirectly) are considered personal data, and their use requires informing users and, in certain cases, obtaining prior consent.

2. What cookies do we use and for what purpose?

VonStaff uses both its own cookies (first-party) and cookies placed by integrated third-party services to ensure the application’s functionality and to analyze usage. Below you can find the main cookies we use, the domain they come from, their purpose, lifespan, and type (essential, preferences, analytic, marketing, etc.):

Cookie	Domain	Description and Purpose	Duration	Type
XSRF-TOKEN	vonstaff.com	Used for security, this cookie prevents Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks by ensuring that actions performed in the application originate from the authentic user. It does not contain information that directly identifies the user.	13 days	Security (strictly necessary)
vonstaff_session	vonstaff.com	Session cookie used by the application to keep the user authenticated during navigation. It stores a randomly generated session identifier, allowing the server to recognize successive requests as belonging to the same logged-in user.	Session (until the browser is closed)	Strictly necessary
cookie_consent	vonstaff.com	Remembers the option the user expressed in the cookie consent banner (accept or refuse). Thus, on subsequent visits, the site will know if it can activate certain non-essential cookies or must ask for permission again. It contains no personal data, only the status of the consent.	1 year	Preferences (strictly necessary)
_ga	vonstaff.com	Set by the Google Analytics service (owned by Google). This cookie is used to distinguish unique users by assigning them a random ID. It allows the collection of statistics about visits: number of visitors, sessions, duration of visit, pages accessed. Data collected via _ga are anonymous and aggregated – they do not personally identify users.	13 months (1 year and ~1 month)	Analytic
_gid	vonstaff.com	Google Analytics cookie used to distinguish users, storing and updating a unique ID for each page visited. It helps count visits and track the users’ journey through the site in a single session.	24 hours	Analytic
_gat	vonstaff.com	Cookie used by Google Analytics to regulate the request rate to the server (throttle). It limits data collection on very high-traffic websites, preventing overloading the service.	1 minute	Analytic
ga<container>	vonstaff.com	Cookie set by Google Analytics 4 (if used), where <container> represents a unique identifier of our GA4 property. Its function is similar to the _ga cookie, helping to measure and analyze traffic and user behavior on the site.	13 months	Analytic

Note: Google Analytics cookies are not activated unless you express your agreement to the use of analytic cookies, as described in the consent section below. Also, the <container> suffix in the GA4 cookie represents a specific identifier for our Google Analytics instance.

VonStaff does not use targeted advertising cookies or other tracking technologies for behavioral marketing purposes. Also, we do not allow third-party cookies from social networks or advertising (such as Facebook Pixel, Google Ads) on our site without an explicit mention in this policy. Currently, third-party cookies on our site are limited to those for analysis (Google Analytics, described above) and for security/functionality (for example, anti-spam or load balancing services, if applicable).

3. Purpose of using cookies

We use cookies to ensure the proper and secure functioning of our website and application, as well as to improve the visitor experience. In summary, the main purposes are:

Essential functionality: Strictly necessary cookies (such as session and security cookies) allow navigation on the site and use of basic features. For example, they maintain authentication throughout a session (so that you are not asked to log in on every page) and protect against CSRF attacks. Without these cookies, the site cannot function properly. These cookies do not require prior consent, however users are informed of their existence.

Preferences: If the site offers customizable options (language, display, etc.), preference cookies can store these choices so that you benefit from your preferred settings on each visit (e.g., remembering the selected language or other options). These cookies improve the site’s usability for you. (Currently, VonStaff uses a cookie to remember the choice regarding cookie consent, which is considered necessary for compliance).

Analysis and performance: Analytic (non-essential) cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the site. Through Google Analytics we collect data such as: pages visited, time spent, navigation path, country/city (derived from the anonymized IP address), device type, etc. Data collected through analytic cookies are anonymized and aggregated, so the reports obtained do not identify individual people. The purpose of this data is strictly to analyze traffic and general user behavior, in order to optimize the content and structure of the site (for example, identifying highly accessed pages or flows where users encounter difficulties). The result is a more efficient site, better adapted to visitors’ needs.

Security: Certain cookies contribute to the security of the platform and users (for example, detecting unusual activities or ensuring the integrity of requests between client and server). These are also categorized as strictly necessary cookies, because without them data protection or service stability would be compromised.

VonStaff does not use cookies to: collect sensitive data, deliver personalized advertising (outside our site) or provide your browsing data to unauthorized third parties. Any future expansion in the use of cookies (e.g., integrating a new service that places cookies) will be reflected by updating this policy and, if applicable, by renewing consent.

4. Managing and deleting cookies

User control over cookies: You have the right and ability to control the placement of cookies or to delete them using the settings of the web browser you use. Most browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.) allow:

• Deleting all cookies or specific cookies for a particular site – you can access the browser’s settings/history section and select the option to delete cookies. Typically, you can choose to delete cookies for a certain time period or for a specific domain (e.g., delete cookies for vonstaff.com).
• Blocking cookies in advance – you can configure your browser to automatically refuse the storage of any cookies (or third-party cookies) on your device. You can also set the browser to notify you each time a site tries to set a cookie, allowing you to accept or refuse on a case-by-case basis.
• Exceptions and blacklists – some browsers allow you to define exceptions (for example, to block all third-party cookies but accept first-party ones, or to allow cookies only for trusted sites).

Consequences of disabling cookies: If you decide to disable all cookies, keep in mind that certain functionalities of the VonStaff site will no longer be available or will not function properly. For example, if you block session cookies, you will not be able to authenticate or maintain your logged-in state in the application; if you block security cookies, you may not be able to submit forms or your actions may be rejected by the server for protection reasons. By deleting the cookie_consent cookie, the consent banner will be displayed to you again and cookie preferences will need to be reselected.

Specific instructions: The exact method for managing cookies differs depending on the browser. You can consult the “Help” section of your browser or online resources for detailed instructions. Below are some useful links to official guides:

• Google Chrome – Deleting, enabling and managing cookies
• Mozilla Firefox – Deleting cookies / Blocking cookies
• Safari – Managing cookies on Mac
• Microsoft Edge – Deleting and managing cookies

In addition, to opt out of only Google Analytics cookies, Google offers a browser add-on which, once installed, prevents the execution of GA code on websites (available here: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout). Alternatively, you can use Google’s ad settings to disable ad personalization (even though VonStaff does not use personalized ads, this option reflects your preferences regarding Google tracking in general).

5. Consent for cookies

According to applicable legislation (GDPR and the Law on Electronic Communications in the EU), the use of certain cookies requires obtaining users’ consent before they are placed in the browser. In this respect, VonStaff uses a cookie banner displayed on the first visit to the site, which informs you about the cookies used and offers you the option to accept or refuse the use of non-essential cookies (such as analytics). This banner appears clearly visible and contains a link to this Cookies Policy for additional details.

Essential cookies (strictly necessary for functionality) are exempt from the requirement of consent, but we still bring them to users’ attention. Continuing to browse the site after you have been notified about these cookies implies your implicit acceptance of them, because without them the site cannot function.

Non-essential cookies (e.g., analytic) are disabled by default until you express your agreement. In the initial banner, you can choose to click “Accept” for all cookies, or adjust the settings – for example, “Refuse” for analytic cookies. If you choose “Refuse/Essential only,” the analytic cookies will not be loaded.

We will remember your choice (via the cookie_consent cookie mentioned above) so that we do not bother you with the same message on each visit, unless: (a) you change your preferences yourself, (b) you delete cookies from your browser (in which case the banner will reappear), or (c) we introduce new categories of cookies that require new consent.

Withdrawal of consent: If you initially accepted non-essential cookies but later change your mind, you can withdraw your consent at any time. Ways to do this:

• Access the VonStaff site’s cookie settings again (via the “Cookie Settings” or “Cookie Preferences” link available in the site footer, if provided) and modify your options (deselect analytic cookies and save your preferences).
• Or, simply, delete the cookies from your browser as described above. On your next visit to the site, the consent banner will appear again, allowing you to select your preferred option.

Withdrawing consent for analytic cookies will not affect access to the essential services of the site. You will still be able to browse and use the VonStaff application, only your visit will no longer be counted in our traffic statistics (or will be counted anonymously, without a persistent cookie). According to GDPR, withdrawing consent must be as easy as giving it – we ensure that we respect this principle by always providing the option to opt out of analytic cookies.

6. Users’ rights in the context of cookies

Even though cookies themselves are just technologies, their use can involve the processing of personal data (e.g., IP addresses, online identifiers, browsing history), which is why the rights described in our Privacy Policy apply. Thus:

• You have the right to be clearly informed about the cookies used (which is why we provide these details) and to decide whether or not to accept them, apart from those strictly necessary.
• If cookies collect personal data, the rights of access, rectification, deletion, restriction or objection also apply to those data. For example, you can request that we provide you with information about what analytics data associated with your identifier have been collected or ask us to delete them. Keep in mind that analytics data are usually not directly associated with your name, so we will only be able to provide data at the account or device level (to the extent that we have it).
• Residents of the European Union have the right to withdraw their consent for cookies at any time, as easily as they gave it. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of the use of cookies before the moment of withdrawal.
• Residents of California have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of online identifiers to third parties. In the case of VonStaff, we do not sell such data obtained through cookies, and any sharing we do (such as with Google Analytics) falls under the definition of “disclosure for business purposes” (disclosure for business purposes, not sale). However, if you wish to exercise your right to opt out under the CCPA, you can do so by disabling analytic cookies (as described above) or by contacting us directly with a request not to share the analytics data associated with your visits. We will respect these requests in the spirit of the CCPA, though we emphasize that no actual sale of data takes place.
• You have the right not to be subjected to discrimination for exercising your cookie-related choices. VonStaff will not limit your access or essential functionalities just because you refused optional cookies – except, of course, for the inevitable technical consequences (e.g., without a session cookie you cannot stay logged in, but this is not a “punishment,” just a technical effect). Otherwise, all users will receive the same level of service, regardless of their cookie preferences.

If you have any further questions about how we use cookies or about your rights in this context, you can contact us at any time using the contact details in the Contact section below. We will be happy to provide clarification.

7. Changes to the Cookies Policy

This Cookies Policy may be updated from time to time, for example if we implement new cookies, change analytics providers or if legislative changes occur. We will publish any changes on this page and update the date of the last update. If the changes are significant (for example, if we begin using new cookies that require consent), we will bring the cookie banner to your attention again to reconfirm your options. We recommend that you periodically check the Cookies Policy to stay up to date with the current information about the tracking technologies we use. Continuing to use our site after displaying the changes implies acceptance of the updated Cookies Policy.

8. Contact

For questions or requests related to this Cookies Policy or our practices regarding cookies and similar technologies, you can contact us via:

• Email: gdpr@vonconsulting.ro
• Contact Form: on our website, in the Contact section, specifying that the inquiry is related to “cookies”.
• Postal address: 1455 Frazee Road, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92108

We will try to respond to any questions as promptly as possible. If you encounter any difficulty related to your cookie preferences on our site, please let us know and we will investigate the situation.

Last update of this Cookies Policy: March 29, 2025