Cookie Policy

Last Updated: December 25, 2024

This Cookie Policy explains how Shaz Cars uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit shazcars.com (the “Website”). This policy provides detailed information about what cookies are, why we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide a better user experience. Cookies allow websites to recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferred language, location, and other settings.

1.1 Types of Cookies by Duration

Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They help websites remember your actions during a single browsing session.

Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. They remember your preferences for future visits.

1.2 Types of Cookies by Origin

First-Party Cookies: Set directly by Shaz Cars and can only be read by our Website.

Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services and partners that we use on our Website, such as analytics providers and advertising networks.

2. Why We Use Cookies

Shaz Cars uses cookies for several important purposes:

Improve Website Functionality: Ensure the Website works properly and provide essential features
Enhance User Experience: Remember your preferences and personalize your browsing experience
Analyze Performance: Understand how visitors use our Website and identify areas for improvement
Deliver Relevant Content: Show you automotive content that matches your interests
Enable Advertising: Display relevant advertisements and measure their effectiveness
Provide Social Features: Allow you to share content on social media platforms
Ensure Security: Protect against fraud and maintain Website security

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for Shaz Cars to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt out of these cookies as the Website cannot operate without them.

Examples:

Session identification cookies
Security and authentication cookies
Load balancing cookies
Cookie consent preferences

Duration: Session or up to 12 months

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use Shaz Cars, such as which pages are visited most often, how long users stay on pages, and any error messages encountered. This information helps us improve Website performance and user experience.

Services We Use:

Google Analytics: Tracks website traffic, user behavior, and demographics
Google Tag Manager: Manages various tracking and analytics tags
Other analytics platforms for measuring website performance

Information Collected:

Pages visited and content viewed
Time spent on pages
Click behavior and navigation patterns
Device and browser information
Geographic location (country/city level)
Referring websites and search terms

Duration: Up to 24 months

Opt-out: You can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

3.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies allow Shaz Cars to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, personalized features. They may be set by us or third-party providers whose services we use on our Website.

Examples:

Language preferences
Region or location settings
Font size and display preferences
Previously viewed car reviews or articles
Customized content recommendations

Duration: Session to 24 months

3.4 Advertising and Targeting Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They also help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and limit the number of times you see an advertisement.

Advertising Networks We Work With:

Google AdSense/AdWords: Displays relevant ads based on your browsing activity
Google DoubleClick: Ad serving and targeting
Facebook Pixel: Tracks conversions and creates custom audiences
Other advertising partners and networks

Information Collected:

Browsing history and interests
Interaction with advertisements
Demographic information
Device and location data
Previous visits to Shaz Cars

Purpose:

Show relevant car-related advertisements
Measure ad campaign performance
Create remarketing audiences
Frequency capping (limiting ad repetition)
Cross-device advertising

Duration: Up to 24 months

Opt-out Options:

3.5 Social Media Cookies

These cookies are set by social media platforms to enable you to share content from Shaz Cars on social networks and interact with our social media presence.

Social Media Platforms:

Facebook
Twitter/X
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
Pinterest
WhatsApp

Information Collected:

Social media profile information
Sharing and interaction behavior
Content preferences

Duration: Up to 24 months

Privacy Policies:

4. Specific Cookies Used on Shaz Cars

Below is a detailed list of cookies you may encounter on shazcars.com:

4.1 Essential Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
PHPSESSID	Session identifier	Session	First-party
cookie_consent	Stores your cookie preferences	12 months	First-party
security_token	Security and authentication	Session	First-party

4.2 Analytics Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
_ga	Google Analytics – distinguishes users	24 months	Third-party
_gid	Google Analytics – distinguishes users	24 hours	Third-party
_gat	Google Analytics – throttle request rate	1 minute	Third-party
ga<container-id>	Google Analytics 4 – session data	24 months	Third-party

4.3 Advertising Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
_gcl_au	Google AdSense – ad performance	3 months	Third-party
IDE	Google DoubleClick – ad targeting	24 months	Third-party
fr	Facebook – ad delivery and targeting	3 months	Third-party
_fbp	Facebook Pixel – tracking	3 months	Third-party

4.4 Functionality Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
user_preferences	Stores user settings	12 months	First-party
last_visited	Remembers last visited pages	30 days	First-party

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Cookies may change based on our service providers and Website updates.

5. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, Shaz Cars may use other tracking technologies:

5.1 Web Beacons (Pixels)

Small graphic images embedded in web pages or emails that work with cookies to track user activity and measure campaign effectiveness.

5.2 Local Storage

HTML5 local storage that allows websites to store data locally in your browser, similar to cookies but with greater capacity.

5.3 Session Storage

Temporary storage that maintains data during a single browser session.

5.4 Device Fingerprinting

Collecting information about your device configuration (browser version, screen resolution, installed fonts) to create a unique identifier.

6. How to Manage and Control Cookies

You have several options to manage and control cookies on Shaz Cars:

6.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our Website, you’ll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:

Accept all cookies
Reject non-essential cookies
Customize your cookie preferences
Learn more about our cookie practices

6.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

Block all cookies
Block third-party cookies only
Delete existing cookies
Set preferences for specific websites
Receive notifications when cookies are set

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

Google Chrome:

Click the three-dot menu → Settings
Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
Choose your preferred cookie settings

Mozilla Firefox:

Click the menu button → Settings
Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Manage your cookie preferences

Safari:

Preferences → Privacy
Choose your cookie blocking preferences

Microsoft Edge:

Settings → Privacy, search, and services
Cookies and site permissions
Manage and delete cookies

Mobile Browsers:

iOS Safari: Settings → Safari → Block Cookies
Android Chrome: Settings → Site Settings → Cookies

6.3 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of targeted advertising through these platforms:

6.4 Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” feature that sends signals to websites requesting not to be tracked. Currently, Shaz Cars does not respond to DNT signals, as there is no industry-wide standard for how to interpret and respond to these signals.

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you can disable cookies, doing so may affect your experience on Shaz Cars:

Potential Impacts:

Inability to stay logged in to your account
Loss of personalized content and recommendations
Repeated cookie consent prompts
Reduced Website functionality
Less relevant advertisements (you’ll still see ads, but they may be less relevant)
Difficulty sharing content on social media
Some features or pages may not work properly

Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled as they are essential for the Website to function.

8. Updates to Cookie Usage

Shaz Cars may update the cookies we use from time to time as we add new features, services, or partners. We will update this Cookie Policy to reflect any changes. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

9. Children’s Privacy

Shaz Cars does not knowingly use cookies to collect information from children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of consent in your jurisdiction). If you believe we have collected such information, please contact us immediately.

10. International Users

If you access Shaz Cars from outside the United Arab Emirates, please be aware that cookies may transfer your information to countries with different data protection laws. By using our Website, you consent to this transfer.

11. Your Consent

By continuing to use Shaz Cars, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree with our cookie practices, you should adjust your browser settings or refrain from using our Website.

You can withdraw or modify your consent at any time by: