Data Tracking Policy
Last updated: March 2025
This policy explains how Shockterminal uses tracking technologies on our website. We believe in transparency about the data we collect and why we collect it. You'll find straightforward information here about what happens when you visit our site and how you can control your preferences.
What Are Tracking Technologies?
When you visit shockterminal.com, small text files get stored on your device. These files help our website remember things about your visit and preferences. Think of them as digital sticky notes that help the site work better for you.
We also use similar technologies like web beacons and pixels. These are tiny invisible images that help us understand how people interact with our content. They tell us things like which pages get the most attention or where people tend to click first.
Local storage is another tool we use. It's like a filing cabinet in your browser where we can store information that doesn't expire when you close the tab. This helps us remember your settings between visits.
Types of Data Collection We Use
Essential Operations
These are the tracking elements we absolutely need to make the site work. Without them, you wouldn't be able to navigate properly or use basic features. We can't turn these off because the site would break.
- Session management for keeping you logged in
- Security tokens that protect your account
- Basic navigation memory
- Form data that prevents you from losing your work
Functionality Enhancement
These help us remember your preferences and choices. They make your experience more personalized without collecting identifying information. You can disable these, but some features might not work as smoothly.
- Language preferences you've selected
- Display settings like dark mode preferences
- Calculator settings you've customized
- Previously viewed analysis tools
Analytics and Performance
We use these to understand how visitors interact with our financial stability tools. The data helps us figure out what's working and what needs improvement. All information is aggregated and anonymous.
- Page visit counts and duration
- Which analysis tools get used most often
- Error tracking to fix technical problems
- Loading speed measurements
Marketing and Communication
These track how you found us and which content interests you. They help us understand if our educational materials are reaching the right people. You can opt out of these entirely using the control below.
- Referral source tracking
- Content engagement patterns
- Email campaign effectiveness
- Educational resource downloads
Your Control Options
You haven't made a preference selection yet
Important: Essential tracking elements cannot be disabled because they're required for basic site functionality. However, you can decline all analytics, functionality, and marketing tracking using the button above. Your choice will be remembered for future visits.
Specific Tracking Elements We Use
Here's a detailed breakdown of the actual tracking elements active on our site. We're listing everything so you know exactly what's happening behind the scenes.
| Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | Maintains your active session while browsing | Session | Essential |
| csrf_token | Security protection against unauthorized requests | Session | Essential |
| user_preferences | Stores your display and interface choices | 1 year | Functional |
| analytics_visitor | Anonymous visitor tracking for site improvements | 2 years | Analytics |
| tool_history | Remembers which financial tools you've accessed | 6 months | Functional |
| referral_source | Tracks how you found our website | 30 days | Marketing |
Browser-Level Management
You can also control tracking through your browser settings. Most modern browsers give you pretty detailed control over what gets stored and what doesn't. Here's how to access those settings in popular browsers:
Quick Links to Browser Settings
Click on your browser to learn how to manage tracking preferences:
Be aware that blocking all tracking elements might affect how the site works. Some features depend on remembering your preferences or maintaining your session. You might need to re-enter information or adjust settings more frequently.
Third-Party Services
We work with a few external services that may place their own tracking elements. We've chosen partners who respect privacy and follow strict data protection standards. These services help us provide better analysis tools and improve our educational content.
- Google Analytics: Helps us understand visitor patterns and improve our content based on what people actually use
- Cloudflare: Provides security and faster loading times through their content delivery network
- Email Service Provider: Manages our educational newsletter distribution when you choose to subscribe
Each of these services has their own privacy policies that govern how they handle data. We recommend reading their policies if you want more details about their practices.
How Long We Keep Data
Different types of tracking data have different lifespans. Session-based data disappears when you close your browser. Preference data might stick around for a year so we don't have to keep asking you the same questions. Analytics data gets aggregated and anonymized pretty quickly.
We regularly review and clean out old tracking data that's no longer useful. There's no point in keeping information we don't need, and it's just good practice to minimize data retention.
Updates to This Policy
Technology changes, and so do our practices. We'll update this policy when we add new tracking methods or change how we use existing ones. The date at the top shows when we last made changes.
If we make significant changes that affect how we handle your data, we'll let you know through a notice on the website. You won't need to dig through fine print to discover major updates.
Questions About Our Tracking Practices?
We're happy to explain anything that's unclear or answer specific questions about how we handle data on shockterminal.com. Reach out through any of these channels: