Cookie Policy

Effective Date: January 8, 2026

Last Updated: January 8, 2026

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Platinum Media Solutions (“we,” “our,” or “us”), operating Empirical Logic Research Intelligence at empiricalogic.com (the “Service”), uses cookies and similar tracking technologies.

Company Information:

Platinum Media Solutions

10130 Perimeter Pkwy, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28216

Email: info@platinummediasolutions.com

By using our Service, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy. This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. Cookies allow the website to recognize your device and remember certain information about your visit.

2.1 Types of Cookies by Duration

Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They help us maintain your login state during your browsing session.

Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period (or until you delete them). They help us remember your preferences across multiple visits.

2.2 Types of Cookies by Purpose

Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly. These cannot be disabled without affecting site functionality.

Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site, which pages are most popular, and where improvements are needed.

Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings to enhance your user experience.

3. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

3.1 Essential/Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for the basic operation of our Service:

Authentication: Keeping you logged in to your account
Security: Preventing fraudulent activity and enhancing security
Session Management: Maintaining your session as you navigate the site
Load Balancing: Distributing traffic across our servers efficiently

Legal Basis: These cookies are necessary for the performance of our contract with you (providing the Service you subscribed to).

3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how our Service is used:

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to collect information about:

Pages visited and time spent on each page
How users arrived at our site (referral sources)
Device type, browser, and operating system
General geographic location (city/country level)
User interactions and navigation patterns

Google Analytics uses cookies to track and report website traffic. The information collected is anonymous and does not identify individual users. Google Analytics may combine our website data with data from other Google services.

What We Learn: This helps us:

Improve website performance and user experience
Identify technical issues
Understand which content is most valuable
Make informed decisions about Service improvements

Your Privacy: IP addresses are anonymized. For more information about Google Analytics, visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

Legal Basis: Legitimate business interests in improving our Service.

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance your experience but are not essential:

Preference Storage: Remembering your settings and display preferences
Content Customization: Tailoring content based on your subscription tier
Usage Tracking: Monitoring which content you’ve downloaded to avoid duplicate downloads

Legal Basis: Your consent (for non-essential functional cookies) or legitimate interests (for essential functional cookies).

4. Third-Party Cookies

Our Service may use cookies from third-party service providers:

4.1 Payment Processors

Stripe and/or Square: When you make a payment, these services may set cookies to:

Process transactions securely
Prevent fraud
Maintain payment security standards (PCI-DSS compliance)

These cookies are governed by the respective payment processor’s privacy policy.

4.2 Analytics Providers

Google Analytics: As described above, Google may set cookies to collect analytics data.

4.3 Cloud Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS): May use cookies related to content delivery through AWS S3.

4.4 Third-Party Control

We do not control these third-party cookies. Please review the privacy and cookie policies of these providers:

Stripe Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy
Square Privacy Policy: https://squareup.com/us/en/legal/general/privacy
Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
AWS Privacy Policy: https://aws.amazon.com/privacy/

5. Cookies We Use – Detailed List

Below is a list of specific cookies our Service may use:

Cookie Name	Type	Purpose	Duration
session_id	Essential	Maintains your login session	Session
user_token	Essential	Authentication token	30 days
csrf_token	Essential	Security protection against cross-site request forgery	Session
_ga	Analytics	Google Analytics – distinguishes users	2 years
_gid	Analytics	Google Analytics – distinguishes users	24 hours
_gat	Analytics	Google Analytics – throttles request rate	1 minute
preferences	Functional	Stores user display preferences	1 year
content_tracking	Functional	Tracks downloaded content to prevent duplicates	90 days

Note: This list may be updated as we add or remove services. Check this policy periodically for updates.

6. How to Manage Cookies

You have several options to control or limit how cookies are used:

6.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can modify your browser settings to decline cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent.

To manage cookies in common browsers:

Google Chrome:

Click Menu (three dots) > Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
Choose your preferred cookie settings

Mozilla Firefox:

Click Menu > Settings > Privacy & Security
Under Cookies and Site Data, adjust your preferences

Safari:

Click Safari > Preferences > Privacy
Choose your cookie blocking preferences

Microsoft Edge:

Click Menu (three dots) > Settings > Cookies and site permissions
Choose your cookie settings

Internet Explorer:

Click Tools > Internet Options > Privacy
Adjust privacy settings slider

6.2 Cookie Preference Tools

Some websites offer cookie preference centers where you can choose which types of cookies to accept. Currently, our Service uses primarily essential and analytics cookies.

6.3 Google Analytics Opt-Out

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by:

Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Enabling “Do Not Track” in your browser settings
Using browser privacy extensions

6.4 Impact of Blocking Cookies

Essential Cookies: If you block essential cookies, you will not be able to:

Log in to your account
Access subscriber-only content
Download materials
Use core features of the Service

Analytics Cookies: If you block analytics cookies:

Your user experience will not be affected
We will have less information to improve the Service
You will still see all content and functionality

Functional Cookies: If you block functional cookies:

You may need to reset preferences on each visit
Some convenience features may not work
The Service will still be functional but less personalized

7. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some browsers have a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals to websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked.

Our Response to DNT:

Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. We currently do not respond to DNT signals by disabling cookies or tracking. If an industry standard emerges, we will update our practices and this policy accordingly.

Alternative: To opt out of tracking, use the browser cookie management options described in Section 6.

8. Special Information for European Economic Area (EEA) Users

While our Service is primarily targeted to users in the United States, we recognize that some users may access our Service from the European Economic Area (EEA). This section provides information relevant to EEA users regarding cookies and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

8.1 Legal Basis for Cookies

Under GDPR, we rely on the following legal bases for using cookies:

Consent: For non-essential cookies (analytics, functional), we rely on your consent through your continued use of the Service
Legitimate Interests: For essential cookies and some analytics, we rely on our legitimate interest in providing and improving our Service
Contractual Necessity: For cookies essential to providing the Service you subscribed to

8.2 Your Rights Under GDPR

If you are an EEA resident, you have specific rights regarding cookies and personal data:

Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw cookie consent at any time by clearing cookies and changing browser settings
Right to Access: Request information about what data has been collected through cookies
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of data collected through cookies
Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@platinummediasolutions.com.

8.3 Data Transfers

Data collected through cookies may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where our servers are located. The US may not provide the same level of data protection as EEA countries. By using our Service, you consent to this transfer.

8.4 Cookie Consent Banner

EEA users may see a cookie consent banner when first visiting our site. You can manage your preferences through this banner or through your browser settings.

9. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies:

9.1 Web Beacons (Pixel Tags)

Small graphic images embedded in web pages or emails that allow us to:

Track whether emails have been opened
Monitor page views and navigation patterns
Verify that content has been downloaded

9.2 Local Storage

HTML5 local storage allows websites to store data locally on your device:

Used for storing preferences and session information
Similar to cookies but with larger storage capacity
Can be cleared through browser settings

9.3 Session Storage

Temporary storage that only persists during your browser session:

Automatically cleared when you close your browser
Used for maintaining state during your visit

9.4 Log Files

Our servers automatically collect certain information:

IP addresses (anonymized for analytics)
Browser types and versions
Operating systems
Referring URLs
Date and time stamps
Pages accessed

This information is used for system administration, security, and analytics purposes.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through cookies or any other means. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect:

Changes in our cookie practices
New technologies or tracking methods
Changes in applicable laws or regulations
Updates to third-party services

Notification of Changes:

We will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
Material changes will be communicated via email or through the Service
Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically.

12. More Information and Contact

12.1 Questions About Cookies

If you have questions about our use of cookies, contact us at:

Platinum Media Solutions

10130 Perimeter Pkwy, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28216

Email: info@platinummediasolutions.com

12.2 Related Policies

For more information about how we handle your data, please review:

Privacy Policy: Describes our overall data collection and use practices
Terms of Service: Governs your use of the Service

12.3 Regulatory Information

For information about cookies and online privacy:

US Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/privacy-and-security/online-tracking
All About Cookies: https://www.allaboutcookies.org/
European Commission (for EEA users): https://ec.europa.eu/info/cookies_en

13. Summary

In Plain Language:

We use cookies to:

Keep you logged in (essential – can’t be disabled)
Understand how our site is used through Google Analytics (can be disabled)
Remember your preferences (can be disabled)
Process payments securely through Stripe/Square (essential for payments)

You can control most cookies through your browser settings, but blocking essential cookies will prevent you from using the Service properly.

For EEA users, we respect your GDPR rights and you can manage cookie preferences or request data deletion at any time.

*This Cookie Policy was last updated on January 8, 2026.*