Cookie Policy
Last updated: 15 July 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how YouVate ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit youvate.org. We keep it short and honest — no corporate jargon.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. They let the site remember information about your visit — like whether you are signed in — so the site works correctly the next time you come back.
Cookies We Use
We use a small, focused set of cookies. None of them are used to show you advertisements.
| Cookie | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
PHPSESSID |
Keeps you signed in while you browse. Required for login and registration. | Essential | Session (closes with browser) |
yv_csrf |
Protects your forms against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks. | Essential | Session (closes with browser) |
yv_lang |
Remembers your chosen language (English, Somali, or Arabic). | Functional | 1 Year |
yv_theme |
Remembers whether you prefer dark or light mode. | Functional | 1 Year |
yv_cookie_ok |
Records that you have acknowledged this cookie notice. | Functional | 1 Year |
| Google Analytics / GTM cookies | Measures how many visitors use the site and which pages are most visited. Data is anonymised. | Analytics | Up to 2 Years |
Essential Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function. They handle user sessions, security tokens (CSRF), and payment processing. Without them, you cannot register or pay.
Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your preferences — your chosen language and colour theme — so you do not have to re-select them every visit.
Analytics Cookies (Optional)
If Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager is configured, we use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use the site (page views, popular sections, etc.). All data is anonymised and never used to identify you individually. You can opt out via your browser settings or Google's opt-out tools.
Third-Party Services
We integrate with the following external services, which may set their own cookies:
- Google (Analytics / Tag Manager) — policies.google.com/privacy
- SifaloPay — Our payment gateway. Their cookies are set only during the payment process.
Your Control
You have several ways to control cookies:
- Browser settings — Most browsers let you block or delete cookies. Check your browser's help pages for instructions.
- Private / incognito mode — No cookies are saved after the window is closed.
- Google Analytics opt-out — Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent data collection.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use your data, please contact us:
info@youvate.orgChanges to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review it periodically.