Cookie Policy
What This Policy Covers
When Elena first logged into our flexible budgeting course at 11 PM after her shift, she noticed the platform remembered her progress from the previous session. She didn't have to search for where she left off. That's cookies doing their job.
This policy explains how Radial Step uses cookies and similar technologies on radialstep.com. We're not here to hide behind legal jargon. If you're using our platform to learn about budgeting or taking our quizzes, you deserve to know what data we collect and why.
Quick Summary: We use cookies to keep you logged in, remember your quiz progress, understand which course sections work best, and make sure our platform loads quickly. We don't sell your data to third parties. You can control most cookies through your browser settings.
What Cookies Actually Are
A cookie is a small text file that gets stored on your device when you visit a website. Think of it as a digital sticky note that helps our platform remember things about you.
When Marcus took our budgeting assessment for the second time, the system remembered his username and his preferred language setting. That happened because of cookies. Without them, you'd need to re-enter everything each time you visited a new page.
Types of Cookies We Use
| Cookie Type | What It Does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Cookies | Keep the platform functional, handle logins, and maintain your session while you navigate through lessons | Session ID, authentication tokens |
| Performance Cookies | Track which quiz questions take the longest to answer, which lessons get rewatched, and where students typically struggle | Page load times, interaction patterns |
| Functional Cookies | Remember your preferences like text size, color scheme, or whether you want sound effects on quiz completion | User preferences, accessibility settings |
| Analytics Cookies | Help us understand overall usage patterns so we can improve course structure and identify technical issues | Page views, time spent, navigation paths |
How We Use These Cookies
Keeping You Logged In
Essential cookies maintain your authenticated session. When you log in to access the flexible budgeting course, a secure token gets stored. This lets you move between lessons without logging in repeatedly. These cookies typically expire when you close your browser or after 24 hours of inactivity.
Tracking Your Progress
Aisha started Module 3 of our budgeting course but had to leave for a meeting. When she came back three hours later, the platform showed exactly where she stopped. Performance cookies track your position in courses, which quiz questions you've answered, and your completion percentage. This data stays associated with your account and helps us show you relevant "continue learning" suggestions.
Improving Our Platform
We use analytics cookies to understand broader patterns. For instance, we discovered that students who complete the interactive budget calculator exercise in under 15 minutes tend to score higher on the final assessment. This insight came from anonymized timing data collected through cookies. We then restructured the exercise to help everyone reach that timing sweet spot.
We also track error rates and page load speeds. If cookies reveal that our video player crashes frequently for users on mobile devices in certain regions, we can fix that specific issue.
Personalizing Your Experience
Functional cookies remember choices you make. If you prefer dark mode for evening study sessions or need larger text for better readability, those preferences get saved. When you return, the platform applies those settings automatically.
Third-Party Cookies
We use a limited number of third-party services, and some of them set their own cookies:
- Analytics Provider: We use an analytics service to understand traffic patterns and user behavior. This helps us identify which course topics need better explanations or additional examples.
- Video Hosting: Course videos are hosted externally. The video player may set cookies to remember playback quality preferences and track viewing statistics.
- Payment Processor: If you purchase a course, our payment partner uses cookies to process transactions securely and prevent fraud.
We've configured these services to minimize data collection and avoid sharing personally identifiable information wherever possible. However, these third parties have their own privacy policies that govern their use of cookies.
Your Control Over Cookies
Browser Settings
Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- Block all cookies (though this will break most website functionality)
- Accept only first-party cookies and block third-party ones
- Delete existing cookies from your device
- Set cookies to be automatically deleted when you close your browser
The exact steps vary by browser. Search for "manage cookies" plus your browser name for specific instructions.
What Happens If You Block Cookies
If you disable essential cookies, you won't be able to log in or access course content. The platform needs these to function. If you block performance and analytics cookies, your experience will still work, but we'll lose valuable data that helps us improve the platform. You might also notice that your preferences don't save between sessions.
Our Cookie Preference Tool
When you first visit our site, you'll see a cookie consent banner. This lets you accept all cookies or customize your preferences. You can change these preferences anytime by clicking the cookie settings link in our footer.
Important: Essential cookies cannot be disabled through our preference tool because they're necessary for the platform to work. However, you can still block them through your browser settings if you choose.
Data Retention
Different cookies have different lifespans:
- Session cookies expire when you close your browser
- Authentication cookies typically last 24 hours or until you log out
- Preference cookies may persist for up to one year
- Analytics cookies generally expire after 90 days
We regularly review and delete old cookie data. If you delete your account, we remove all associated cookie identifiers within 30 days.
Children's Privacy
Our platform is designed for adults managing personal or household budgets. We don't knowingly collect data from anyone under 16 through cookies or any other means. If you're a parent and believe your child has used our platform, contact us at info@radialstep.com so we can delete any associated data.
Changes to This Policy
We update this cookie policy when we add new features or change how we use data. When we make significant changes, we'll notify you through email or a prominent notice on the platform. Minor updates, like clarifying existing language, won't trigger notifications but will be reflected in the "Last Updated" date below.
Jordan noticed this policy was last updated in early 2025. That's when we added more detail about our analytics practices after several students asked specific questions about data collection during quiz sessions.
Questions About Cookies
If something in this policy isn't clear, or if you want to know more about a specific cookie you've noticed, reach out to us. We'd rather answer your questions than leave you guessing about what data we collect and why.
Email us at info@radialstep.com with "Cookie Policy Question" in the subject line. We typically respond within two business days with a straightforward explanation.
Need to Get in Touch?
Whether you have questions about our cookie practices or want to discuss your privacy preferences, we're here to help.
Last updated: January 2025