Cookie Policy
This page explains what cookies Fermata sets, why we use them, and how you can manage them. Questions? support@tryfermata.com.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, keep you logged in, and understand how you use the site. We use them to run the service — they aren't optional extras.
Cookies We Use
The table below describes every cookie Fermata sets, what it's for, and how long it lasts.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
auth_token |
Keeps you logged into your Fermata account | 30 days | Essential |
session_id |
Identifies your browser session for security and functionality | Session (browser close) | Essential |
parent_token |
Authenticates parents accessing the Parent Communication Portal (magic link) | 30 days | Essential |
_ga |
Google Analytics — distinguishes users across sessions (anonymous) | 2 years | Analytics |
_gid |
Google Analytics — distinguishes users within the same session | 24 hours | Analytics |
_gat |
Google Analytics — throttles request rate | 1 minute | Analytics |
stripe_mid |
Stripe — remembers your device for payment security across sessions | 1 year | Functional |
csrf_token |
Protects against cross-site request forgery on form submissions | Session (browser close) | Essential |
Cookie Categories Explained
Essential Essential Cookies
These are required for Fermata to function. They handle authentication, session management, and security. You cannot opt out of essential cookies — doing so would prevent you from logging in or using core features.
Functional Functional Cookies
These remember your preferences (like your browser type or language). They improve your experience but aren't strictly required. Stripe sets the stripe_mid cookie to reduce fraud on payment pages — it's set by Stripe directly, not by Fermata.
Analytics Analytics Cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how teachers use Fermata — which pages are visited, how long users spend, where they get stuck. This data is anonymized (IP is hashed, no individual is identifiable). We use this to improve the product.
Analytics cookies are not used to identify individual users and we don't combine them with other personal data.
Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, some third-party services set cookies on your device when you use Fermata:
- Stripe — sets cookies on our payment pages to handle payment security and fraud prevention. Learn more about Stripe's cookie usage.
- Google Analytics — sets
_ga,_gid, and_gatas described above. Google's privacy policy. - Google Fonts — loads custom fonts; may set cookies for font delivery optimization. Google's privacy policy.
How to Manage Cookies
You have several options for controlling cookies:
Browser settings
Most browsers let you block cookies, delete existing cookies, or only allow cookies from sites you visit. This is the most thorough option but will also block essential cookies, which means you won't be able to log into Fermata.
Opt out of Google Analytics
If you'd like to opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. It prevents Google Analytics from collecting data about your visits.
Stripe payments
Stripe's cookie choices are managed by Stripe directly. Learn more on Stripe's website.
Do Not Track
Fermata respects the "Do Not Track" browser setting for analytics cookies. If your browser has DNT enabled, we will not set Google Analytics cookies. Essential cookies (auth, session) are still set as they're required for the service to function.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this cookie policy when our practices change. The "Last updated" date at the top will reflect any changes. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
Contact
Questions about cookies or how we use them? Reach out: