What Are Cookies Anyway?

Think of cookies as digital bookmarks. They're tiny text files that sit on your computer or phone when you browse our site. These files contain bits of information that help your browser communicate with our servers more efficiently.

Some cookies only last while you're on the site. Others stick around after you close your browser so we can recognize you next time. The technical name for those is "persistent cookies," but really they're just memory aids that save you from having to start fresh every visit.

We've been using this technology since 2019, and it's become pretty standard across the financial services industry. The Taiwan market has specific privacy expectations, which we respect.

Types of Tracking We Use

Session vs. Persistent

Session cookies disappear when you close your browser—they're temporary helpers. Persistent cookies hang around for weeks or months, depending on their purpose. We set expiration dates on all persistent cookies, typically ranging from 30 days to one year.

How This Benefits You

Cookies aren't just about us collecting data. They actually make your life easier in several ways:

• You stay logged in while navigating between different sections of your account dashboard
• Your chart preferences and display settings remain consistent across visits
• We can alert you about unusual account activity more accurately
• Page load times improve because your device doesn't need to fetch the same data repeatedly
• Error messages become more specific and helpful when we know your recent activity

One example: if you're comparing currency exchange rates and switch to another tab, cookies remember which currencies you were viewing. Small convenience, but it adds up when you're making time-sensitive financial decisions.

Managing Your Preferences

You're in control here. Every major browser lets you adjust cookie settings, though the exact steps vary.

If you block all cookies, some parts of our platform won't work. That's just the reality of modern web applications. You'll still be able to browse public pages, but account features require at least essential cookies to function.

Mobile browsers have similar controls, usually found under privacy or security settings. iOS and Android handle this slightly differently, so check your specific device documentation if you need detailed guidance.

Third-Party Cookies

We don't share cookie data with advertisers or marketing companies. Period.

However, we do use some third-party services that place their own cookies:

• Analytics providers that help us understand site usage patterns
• Security services that protect against fraud and unauthorized access
• Performance monitoring tools that track technical issues

These partners operate under strict data processing agreements. They can't use your information for purposes outside of providing their specific services to us. We vet every third-party vendor before integration and review those relationships annually.

Data Retention

Different cookies have different lifespans based on their purpose:

• Session cookies expire immediately when you close your browser
• Authentication cookies typically last 24 hours for security reasons
• Preference cookies might persist for up to 12 months
• Analytics cookies usually expire after 90 days

You can delete stored cookies anytime through your browser settings. This forces everything to reset, which might mean re-entering some preferences, but it's your data and your choice.