🍪 Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to English Play ("we," "our," "us"). This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website and use our platform (the "Service").

This policy is designed to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable EU data protection laws.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit — such as your login status, preferences, and progress — making your next visit easier and the site more useful.

Types of Cookies We Use:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by our website
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (e.g., Stripe, YouTube)

3. Cookies We Use

Cookie Category	Purpose	Examples	Duration	Legal Basis
Strictly Necessary	Essential for website functionality — login, session management, security	Authentication token, session ID, CSRF token	Session / up to 1 year	Legitimate Interest
Functional	Remember your choices and preferences	Language settings, learning progress, display preferences	1 year	Consent
Payment (Stripe)	Securely manage payment sessions and fraud prevention	Stripe session cookies, fraud detection tokens	Session / up to 1 year	Contract / Legitimate Interest
Performance / Analytics	Analyse website usage and performance	Page views, session duration, error reports	Up to 2 years	Consent
Third-Party (YouTube)	Enable embedded video playback	YouTube player cookies	Varies	Consent

4. Specific Cookies Used on English Play

🔐 Authentication & Account Cookies

• session_token: Keeps you logged in during your visit
• remember_me: Remembers your login if you tick "Stay signed in"
• csrf_token: Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks

🎓 Learning Progress Cookies

• vocab_progress: Stores your vocabulary learning progress
• grammar_level: Remembers your current grammar level and completed exercises
• phrasal_verbs_progress: Tracks phrasal verb training history
• user_preferences: Stores display and language preferences

💳 Stripe Payment Cookies

When you visit our payment or subscription pages, Stripe sets cookies to:

• Manage your payment session securely
• Detect and prevent fraudulent transactions
• Remember your payment preferences (where applicable)

Legal Basis: Contract and Legitimate Interest (secure payment processing)

Stripe Cookie Policy: stripe.com/cookie-settings

🎬 YouTube Embedded Videos

Our movie lessons include embedded YouTube videos. YouTube may set cookies for:

• Video playback functionality
• Measuring video performance
• Personalised recommendations (based on your Google account, if signed in)

Legal Basis: Consent

YouTube Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

5. Your Cookie Choices & Rights

Browser Controls

You can control cookies directly through your browser settings:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Cookies and Site Permissions

Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling certain cookies may affect:

• Strictly Necessary: You will be unable to log in or stay signed in
• Functional: Your learning progress and preferences will not be saved
• Stripe: Subscription and payment pages may not function correctly
• YouTube: Embedded videos may not play

6. Third-Party Services

💳 Stripe (Payments)

Purpose: Subscription and payment processing

Data Collected: Payment session data, fraud signals, device information

Privacy Policy: stripe.com/privacy

Cookie Settings: stripe.com/cookie-settings

🎥 YouTube (Google)

Purpose: Embedded educational videos

Data Collected: Video viewing statistics, device information

Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

Ad Settings: Google Ad Settings

🌐 Hosting Provider

Purpose: Website hosting and infrastructure

Data Collected: Basic server logs (IP addresses, access times)

7. Data Transfers

Some of our third-party cookie providers (including Stripe and Google/YouTube) may transfer data outside the European Economic Area (EEA). We ensure adequate protection through Standard Contractual Clauses and other EU-approved transfer mechanisms.

8. Your GDPR Rights

In connection with cookies and the data they collect, you have the right to:

• Access: Request information about data collected via cookies
• Erasure: Request deletion of cookie-related data
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for non-essential cookies at any time
• Lodge a Complaint: Contact your local data protection authority

Find your national data protection authority at: European Data Protection Board — Members

9. Contact Information

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we do, we will:

• Post the updated policy on this page
• Update the "Last Updated" date
• For significant changes, notify registered users by email

11. Consent Management