1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, improve user experience, and provide information to website owners. Cookies can be "session cookies" (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (remaining on your device for a set period).
2. How We Use Cookies
MerchantDesk uses cookies for the following purposes:
Essential Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary for the platform to function. They enable core features such as authentication, session management, and security. You cannot opt out of these cookies.
- Session authentication token to keep you logged in.
- CSRF protection tokens to prevent cross-site request forgery.
- Load balancer cookies to route requests to the correct server.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and settings.
- Language and region preferences.
- UI layout and display preferences.
- Recently viewed forum categories.
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our platform by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
- Page view and session duration tracking.
- Feature usage and click-through analytics.
- Error and performance monitoring.
Marketing Cookies
These cookies may be used to deliver relevant content and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. We use these sparingly and only with your consent.
- Conversion tracking for advertising campaigns.
- Retargeting pixels (only with explicit consent).
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. We use the following third-party services that may set cookies:
- Analytics providers (e.g., Plausible Analytics) — privacy-friendly, cookieless analytics.
- Payment processors — session cookies required for secure checkout flows.
- Customer support tools — session management for support interactions.
We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or other invasive advertising trackers without your explicit consent.
4. Managing Cookies
You can control and manage cookies in several ways:
- Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies through their settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.
- Our consent banner: When you first visit MerchantDesk, you can accept or decline non-essential cookies.
- Opt-out tools: For analytics cookies, you may use browser extensions such as uBlock Origin.
To manage cookies in your browser, refer to your browser's help documentation: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera all provide cookie management options in their Privacy or Security settings.
5. Cookie Retention
The duration cookies remain on your device varies by type. Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies have defined expiry periods ranging from 7 days (authentication tokens) to 12 months (preference cookies). We do not set cookies with expiry periods exceeding 13 months.
6. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes by updating the "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, providing notice through our platform.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact our legal team at [email protected] or write to us at: MerchantDesk Inc., 340 Pine Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94104, United States.