1. Introduction
This Cookies Policy explains how ShelterMaps UAE ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and application. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
Summary: We use minimal cookies that are strictly necessary for the application to function. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.
2. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website or use an application. They are widely used to make websites and applications work more efficiently and to provide information to the owners.
Similar technologies include:
- Local Storage: Data stored in your browser that persists between sessions
- Session Storage: Data stored temporarily during a browsing session
- IndexedDB: A database stored in your browser for larger amounts of structured data
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
3.1 Essential Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary for the website and application to function properly. Without these cookies, certain features cannot work. These cookies do not require your consent as they are essential for the service.
3.2 Functional Cookies
These cookies allow the application to remember choices you make (such as your language preference) and provide enhanced features. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.
4. Cookies We Use
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| sheltermaps_consent | Essential | Records your acceptance of terms and privacy policy | Persistent |
| sheltermaps_language | Functional | Stores your language preference | Persistent |
| sheltermaps_filters | Functional | Remembers your shelter type filter preferences | Persistent |
| sheltermaps_onboarding | Essential | Tracks whether you have completed the onboarding process | Persistent |
5. Cookies We Do Not Use
We want to be clear about what we do not do with cookies:
- No advertising cookies: We do not serve advertisements and do not use cookies to track you for advertising purposes
- No third-party tracking: We do not allow third parties to place tracking cookies on our website or application
- No analytics cookies: We do not use cookies to track your behavior across websites
- No social media cookies: We do not embed social media tracking widgets
- No profiling: We do not use cookies to build profiles about you
6. Third-Party Services
Our application uses the following third-party services that may use their own cookies or similar technologies:
6.1 Map Services
We use MapLibre (open-source) and OpenStreetMap for mapping functionality. These services may cache map tiles locally but do not use cookies to track users.
6.2 Navigation Apps
When you choose to navigate to a shelter, you may be redirected to Google Maps or Waze. These are external applications with their own cookie policies:
7. Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we use browser local storage to store:
- Your language preference
- Your consent to terms and privacy policy
- Filter preferences
- Cached shelter data for offline use
This data is stored only on your device and is not transmitted to our servers.
8. Managing Cookies
You can control and manage cookies in various ways:
8.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. You can:
- View what cookies are stored on your device
- Delete cookies individually or all at once
- Block cookies from being set
- Set preferences for certain websites
8.2 Browser-Specific Instructions
8.3 Clearing App Data
On mobile devices, you can clear the application's stored data through your device settings:
- iOS: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > ShelterMaps > Offload App
- Android: Settings > Apps > ShelterMaps > Storage > Clear Data
8.4 Consequences of Disabling Cookies
If you disable or delete cookies:
- Your language preference will reset to default
- You may need to accept terms and conditions again
- Your filter preferences will be reset
- The application will continue to work for its core purpose of finding shelters
9. Legal Basis
We process cookies on the following legal bases:
- Essential cookies: Necessary for the performance of a contract (providing the service you requested)
- Functional cookies: Based on your consent (you can withdraw consent at any time by clearing cookies)
10. UAE Law Compliance
This Cookies Policy is designed to comply with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection and its Executive Regulations. We ensure that:
- We only use cookies that are necessary or that you have consented to
- We provide clear information about what cookies we use
- We give you control over cookie preferences
- We do not use cookies for tracking or profiling
11. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates the most recent revision.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our website or application after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites requesting that your browsing is not tracked. Since we do not track users or use tracking cookies, we do not respond to DNT signals differently. We treat all users the same way: we do not track browsing behavior.
13. Children
Our website and application are not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect any information from children through cookies or any other means.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy:
Email: [PRIVACY_EMAIL]
Data Protection Officer: [DPO_EMAIL]
14. Related Policies
Please also review our other policies:
- Privacy Policy - How we handle personal data
- Terms of Service - Conditions for using our service