1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how ScholiPhi ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you access or use the ScholiPhi platform, website, and mobile application (collectively, the "Platform").

We believe in complete transparency about how we use technology on our Platform. This policy is designed to help you understand what cookies are, what types we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.

This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides further detail on how we handle your personal data.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website or use an application. They are widely used to make websites and apps work more efficiently, to improve user experience, and to provide certain features and functionality.

Cookies can be:

• Session cookies — temporary cookies that are erased when you close your browser or app
• Persistent cookies — cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• First-party cookies — cookies set directly by ScholiPhi
• Third-party cookies — cookies set by a third-party service on our Platform (ScholiPhi uses these minimally and only where necessary)

ScholiPhi's approach: We apply a privacy-first, minimal cookie philosophy. We only use cookies that are essential or that directly improve your learning experience. We do not use advertising or behavioural profiling cookies.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the Platform to function. Without them, core features such as logging in, navigating between pages, and accessing your dashboard would not work. These cookies do not collect any personal data beyond what is needed for the session.

Examples:

• Authentication cookies — to keep you securely logged in during your session
• Security cookies — to protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks
• Load balancing cookies — to distribute traffic across our servers for performance

Legal basis: These cookies are necessary for the performance of our contract with you and do not require your consent to be placed.

3.2 Functional / Preference Cookies

These cookies remember your choices and preferences to provide a more personalised experience on the Platform. They are not essential but significantly improve your usability.

Examples:

• Language and display preference cookies — to remember your chosen language and theme settings
• Session resumption cookies — to remember where you left off in a learning session
• Notification preference cookies — to remember your notification settings

Legal basis: These cookies are placed on the basis of your consent, which you may withdraw at any time.

3.3 Analytics & Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how users interact with the Platform so we can improve its performance, usability, and learning effectiveness. All data collected through these cookies is anonymised and aggregated — it cannot be used to identify you personally.

Examples:

• Page visit frequency and duration — to understand which features are most used
• Error and crash reporting — to identify and fix technical issues quickly
• Feature engagement tracking — to improve the learning flow and UI design

Legal basis: These cookies are placed on the basis of your consent. You may opt out at any time through your cookie preferences.

3.4 Cookies We Do NOT Use

ScholiPhi strictly does not use the following types of cookies:

• Advertising or marketing cookies — we do not serve ads on our Platform
• Cross-site tracking cookies — we do not track your activity outside of ScholiPhi
• Behavioural profiling cookies — we do not build commercial profiles based on your usage
• Social media tracking pixels — we do not embed trackers from social media platforms

4. Cookie Reference Table

Below is a summary of the key cookies used on the ScholiPhi Platform:

Strictly Necessary Cookies:

• scholiphi_session — Session authentication token — Session — First-party
• csrf_token — Cross-site request forgery protection — Session — First-party
• lb_route — Server load balancing — Session — First-party

Functional Cookies:

• user_prefs — Language and display preferences — 1 year — First-party
• session_resume — Last learning session position — 30 days — First-party
• notif_settings — Notification preferences — 6 months — First-party

Analytics Cookies:

• _sp_analytics — Anonymised usage analytics — 13 months — First-party
• _sp_perf — Platform performance monitoring — Session — First-party

5. Cookies and Children's Privacy

Given that ScholiPhi serves students from Grade 1 through Grade 12, we apply the strictest standards to our use of cookies in relation to minors.

• We do not use any non-essential cookies on student accounts without verifiable parental consent
• Strictly necessary cookies are used for all users including minors to ensure platform security and functionality
• Analytics cookies on student accounts are fully anonymised and cannot be used to identify individual students
• We never use cookies to target advertising or commercial content to students of any age

Parents and guardians may request that all non-essential cookies be disabled for their child's account by contacting us at contact@scholiphi.com.

6. How to Manage Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Within ScholiPhi

You can manage your cookie preferences directly within the ScholiPhi Platform:

• Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Cookie Preferences
• Toggle individual cookie categories on or off
• Your preferences will be saved and applied immediately

Please note: Disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent you from logging in and using core platform features.

6.2 Through Your Browser

You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete existing cookies
• Block all cookies or cookies from specific sites
• Set preferences for accepting or rejecting cookies

Browser-specific guidance:

• Google Chrome — Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox — Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari — Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge — Settings > Cookies and site permissions

6.3 Through Your Mobile Device

On the ScholiPhi mobile app, you can manage cookie-equivalent local storage preferences through:

• iOS — Settings > ScholiPhi > Privacy
• Android — Settings > Apps > ScholiPhi > Permissions

7. Third-Party Services & Cookies

ScholiPhi uses a minimal number of trusted third-party services to operate the Platform. Some of these services may set their own cookies. We ensure all third-party partners comply with our privacy standards and applicable Indian law.

Third-party services we use may include:

• Cloud infrastructure providers — for secure hosting and data storage
• Analytics providers — for anonymised platform performance data only

We do not permit third-party advertising, social media, or data broker services to set cookies on the ScholiPhi Platform.

8. Cookie Consent

When you first access the ScholiPhi Platform, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Accept only strictly necessary cookies
• Customise your cookie preferences by category

Your consent choices will be stored and respected throughout your use of the Platform. You may update your preferences at any time through the Cookie Preferences panel in Settings.

For users under the age of 13, consent for non-essential cookies will be sought from parents or guardians in accordance with the DPDP Act, 2023.

9. Data Collected Through Cookies

The data collected through cookies on ScholiPhi may include:

• Session identifiers (anonymised and encrypted)
• Device type and browser information
• Pages visited and features used (anonymised for analytics cookies)
• Timestamps of activity within the Platform

This data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the DPDP Act, 2023. Analytics data is anonymised and aggregated before being reviewed by our team. No cookie data is ever sold to or shared with advertisers.

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our Platform. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document
• Notify registered users via email or in-app notice at least 14 days before changes take effect
• Reset cookie consent banners so users can review and re-confirm their preferences

Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

• Email: contact@scholiphi.com
• Subject: Cookie Policy Enquiry
• Website: www.scholiphi.com/contact
• Response time: Within 24 to 48 hours

For matters relating to data protection and privacy, please contact our Data Protection Officer at contact@scholiphi.com with the subject line: FAO Data Protection Officer.