This Cookie Policy explains how DireNote Media ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and similar technologies on our website, mobile application, artist dashboard, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform"). This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which provides additional information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data.

By accessing or using our Platform, you consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies as described in this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, you should adjust your browser settings accordingly or discontinue use of our Platform.

1. WHAT ARE COOKIES?

Cookies are small text files containing a string of alphanumeric characters that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device) when you visit a website. Cookies allow the website to recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferences, login status, and browsing behavior.

Types of Cookies by Duration:
• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. These are essential for basic website functionality and navigation.
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a specified period or until you manually delete them. These remember your preferences across multiple sessions.

Types of Cookies by Origin:
• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by DireNote Media and used to operate and improve our Platform.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services integrated with our Platform, such as analytics providers, advertising networks, and social media platforms.

Similar Technologies:
In addition to cookies, we may use:
• Web Beacons (Pixel Tags): Small graphic images embedded in web pages or emails that track user interactions and measure campaign effectiveness.
• Local Storage: HTML5 local storage that allows websites to store larger amounts of data locally on your device.
• ETags: HTTP response headers used to cache and retrieve previously accessed content for improved performance.
• Device Fingerprinting: Techniques that collect device and browser characteristics to create a unique identifier for fraud prevention and security purposes.

2. TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE

DireNote Media uses various types of cookies to provide, maintain, improve, and secure our Platform. Below is a detailed breakdown of the categories of cookies we employ:

2.1 ESSENTIAL COOKIES (STRICTLY NECESSARY)

These cookies are essential for the basic functionality of our Platform and cannot be disabled without severely impacting your user experience. They do not require your consent under applicable privacy laws because they are necessary for the provision of the service you have requested.

Purpose and Functions:
• User authentication and login session management
• Maintaining your logged-in status as you navigate between pages
• Remembering items in your shopping cart or upload queue
• Enabling secure access to your artist dashboard and account settings
• Load balancing and routing requests to appropriate servers
• Security features including CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) protection
• Session management and preventing unauthorized access
• Language preference and regional settings
• Cookie consent preferences and compliance tracking

Examples of Essential Cookies:
• session_id: Identifies your unique session and maintains login state (expires when browser closes)
• auth_token: Authenticates your identity for secure API requests (expires after 24 hours or logout)
• csrf_token: Prevents cross-site request forgery attacks (expires with session)
• cookie_consent: Stores your cookie preferences and consent status (expires after 12 months)
• load_balancer: Routes your requests to the optimal server (expires with session)

2.2 ANALYTICS AND PERFORMANCE COOKIES

These cookies help us understand how users interact with our Platform by collecting information about page visits, traffic sources, user behavior patterns, and technical performance metrics. The data collected is typically aggregated and anonymized.

Purpose and Functions:
• Measuring page views, unique visitors, and session duration
• Understanding which features and pages are most popular
• Identifying navigation patterns and user journeys
• Detecting technical errors, bugs, and performance issues
• Monitoring page load times and optimization opportunities
• Tracking conversion rates and funnel drop-off points
• Analyzing traffic sources (organic search, social media, referrals, direct)
• A/B testing and experimentation for feature improvements

Third-Party Analytics Services:
We may use analytics tools and services including but not limited to:
• Google Analytics (Google LLC)
• Cloudflare Analytics (Cloudflare, Inc.)
• Custom in-house analytics systems
• Server log analysis tools

Examples of Analytics Cookies:
• _ga: Google Analytics identifier for distinguishing unique users (expires after 2 years)
• _gid: Google Analytics identifier for distinguishing users within 24 hours (expires after 24 hours)
• _gat: Google Analytics throttling request rate (expires after 1 minute)
• cf_analytics: Cloudflare analytics and performance monitoring (expires after 30 days)
• page_view_id: Tracks individual page views and navigation sequences (expires with session)

For more information about Google Analytics and how to opt out, visit: Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on

2.3 FUNCTIONAL AND PREFERENCE COOKIES

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization features that improve your user experience based on your preferences and past interactions with our Platform.

Purpose and Functions:
• Remembering your dashboard layout and display preferences
• Saving your preferred language, currency, and regional settings
• Storing theme preferences (light mode, dark mode)
• Remembering filter and sorting preferences for release lists
• Personalizing content recommendations based on your activity
• Enabling social sharing features and embedded media players
• Providing chat support and customer service functionality
• Remembering notification preferences and alert settings

Examples of Functional Cookies:
• theme_preference: Stores your selected theme (light/dark mode) (expires after 12 months)
• language: Remembers your preferred language setting (expires after 12 months)
• dashboard_layout: Saves your dashboard customization preferences (expires after 6 months)
• notification_settings: Stores your notification and alert preferences (expires after 12 months)
• chat_session: Maintains customer support chat sessions (expires after 24 hours)

2.4 MARKETING, ADVERTISING, AND OPTIMIZATION COOKIES

These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements, track marketing campaign effectiveness, and optimize promotional content based on your interests and browsing behavior.

Purpose and Functions:
• Delivering targeted advertisements on our Platform and across the web
• Measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and ad placements
• Limiting the number of times you see the same advertisement (frequency capping)
• Personalizing promotional content and service recommendations
• Tracking conversions and attributing sign-ups to specific marketing sources
• Building audience segments for remarketing and retargeting campaigns
• Optimizing email campaigns and measuring engagement rates
• A/B testing promotional messaging and creative assets

Third-Party Marketing Services:
We may partner with advertising platforms and networks including:
• Google Ads and Google Marketing Platform
• Facebook Pixel and Meta Ads
• LinkedIn Insight Tag
• Twitter/X conversion tracking
• Email marketing platforms (Brevo, Mailchimp)
• Affiliate tracking systems

Examples of Marketing Cookies:
• _fbp: Facebook Pixel for tracking conversions and building audiences (expires after 3 months)
• _gcl_au: Google Ads conversion tracking (expires after 3 months)
• li_sugr: LinkedIn browser identifier for analytics and advertising (expires after 3 months)
• campaign_source: Tracks the origin of your visit for attribution (expires after 30 days)
• referral_id: Identifies affiliate and partner referrals (expires after 90 days)

2.5 SECURITY AND FRAUD PREVENTION COOKIES

These cookies help protect your account and our Platform from unauthorized access, fraudulent activity, abuse, and security threats.

Purpose and Functions:
• Detecting and preventing unauthorized access attempts
• Identifying suspicious behavior patterns and bot activity
• Monitoring for stream manipulation and artificial play inflation
• Protecting against account takeover attacks and credential stuffing
• Verifying device and browser fingerprints for multi-factor authentication
• Detecting payment fraud and chargebacks
• Enforcing rate limits and preventing abuse
• Logging security events for forensic analysis

Examples of Security Cookies:
• device_fingerprint: Creates a unique identifier based on device characteristics (expires after 12 months)
• security_session: Validates ongoing session security (expires with session)
• rate_limit: Tracks API requests to prevent abuse (expires after 1 hour)
• fraud_score: Risk assessment for transactions and activities (expires after 30 days)
• captcha_verified: Confirms successful CAPTCHA completion (expires after 24 hours)

3. THIRD-PARTY COOKIES AND INTEGRATIONS

In addition to cookies set directly by DireNote Media, our Platform integrates with various third-party services that may set their own cookies on your device. We do not control these third-party cookies and recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these services to understand their data collection and usage practices.

Categories of Third-Party Services:

3.1 Cloud Storage and Hosting Providers
• Google Drive (Google LLC)
• Backblaze B2 (Backblaze, Inc.)
• Microsoft OneDrive (Microsoft Corporation)
• Hostinger (Hostinger International Ltd.)
• Content delivery networks (CDNs) for faster file delivery

3.2 Payment Processors and Financial Services
• Payment gateway providers for transaction processing
• Banking partners for fund disbursements
• Fraud detection and risk assessment services
• Currency conversion and international payment systems

3.3 Digital Service Providers (DSPs)
• Spotify embed players and authentication
• Apple Music integration
• YouTube embedded content and analytics
• Amazon Music services
• Other streaming platform integrations

3.4 Analytics and Monitoring Tools
• Google Analytics (web analytics)
• Cloudflare Analytics (performance monitoring)
• Error tracking and bug reporting services
• Server monitoring and uptime tracking
• Application performance management tools

3.5 Email and Communication Platforms
• Brevo (email delivery and marketing automation)
• SMTP relay services
• Transactional email providers
• Customer support and live chat systems

3.6 Music Industry Services
• ACRCloud (audio fingerprinting and recognition)
• ISRC registration authorities
• Performing rights organizations (IPRS, PPL, SoundExchange)
• YouTube Content ID system
• Copyright detection and protection services

3.7 Social Media Platforms
• Facebook/Meta (social sharing, login, advertising)
• Twitter/X (social sharing, embedded content)
• Instagram (embedded media)
• LinkedIn (professional networking, advertising)
• TikTok (marketing and promotion)

Important Notice: These third-party services have their own privacy policies and cookie practices. We encourage you to review their policies:
• Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Facebook/Meta Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/
• Cloudflare Privacy Policy: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/
• Brevo Privacy Policy: https://www.brevo.com/legal/privacypolicy/

4. HOW TO MANAGE AND CONTROL COOKIES

You have several options for managing and controlling cookies on our Platform. However, please note that disabling certain cookies may limit functionality and negatively impact your user experience.

4.1 Cookie Consent Management
When you first visit our Platform, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:
• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences by category
• Review detailed information about each cookie type

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" or "Manage Cookies" link in the footer of our website or in your dashboard account settings.

4.2 Browser Settings and Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can configure your browser to:
• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete cookies when you close your browser
• Receive notifications before cookies are set
• View and delete specific cookies

Browser-Specific Instructions:
• 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 > Manage and delete cookies
• Opera: Settings > Privacy & security > Cookies

For detailed instructions, please visit your browser's help center or support documentation.

4.3 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools
You can opt out of targeted advertising and analytics cookies using industry opt-out tools:
• Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
• Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): https://optout.aboutads.info/
• European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA): https://www.youronlinechoices.com/
• Google Ads Settings: https://adssettings.google.com/
• Facebook Ad Preferences: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences/

4.4 Mobile Device Settings
For mobile devices, you can control tracking and advertising through device settings:
• iOS: Settings > Privacy > Tracking > Disable "Allow Apps to Request to Track"
• Android: Settings > Google > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization

4.5 Do Not Track (DNT) Signals
Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. However, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. Currently, our Platform does not respond to DNT browser settings, but you can use the cookie management options described above to control tracking.

4.6 Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you disable or reject cookies, you may experience the following limitations:
• Inability to log in to your account or access the dashboard
• Loss of personalization and saved preferences
• Difficulty completing transactions or uploads
• Degraded performance and slower page loading
• Limited access to certain features and functionality
• Repeated prompts for information you have already provided
• Inability to maintain shopping cart or session state

Essential cookies cannot be disabled without severely impacting core functionality of the Platform [web:20][web:24][web:25].
5. DATA RETENTION AND COOKIE LIFESPAN

Different cookies have different retention periods depending on their purpose:

Session Cookies: Deleted automatically when you close your browser
Short-Term Cookies: Expire within minutes to hours (e.g., rate limiting, CAPTCHA verification)
Medium-Term Cookies: Expire within days to months (e.g., marketing attribution, campaign tracking)
Long-Term Cookies: Persist for 6-24 months (e.g., preferences, analytics identifiers)

You can manually delete cookies at any time through your browser settings, regardless of their expiration period.

The data collected through cookies is retained according to our data retention policies outlined in our Privacy Policy and applicable legal requirements.

6. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Cookies may collect and transfer data to servers located in different countries, including the United States, European Union, and other jurisdictions. Some third-party services we use may process cookie data internationally.

When data is transferred internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:
• Standard contractual clauses
• Adequacy decisions by regulatory authorities
• Privacy Shield frameworks or equivalent mechanisms
• Binding corporate rules and data protection agreements

For more information about international data transfers, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

7. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Our Platform is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information or use cookies to track children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided information through cookies, please contact us immediately at support@direnotemedia.com and we will delete such data.

For users between 13 and 18, we require parental or guardian consent before using our services.

8. UPDATES AND CHANGES TO THIS COOKIE POLICY

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations. When we make material changes, we will:
• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you via email, dashboard notification, or cookie banner
• Request renewed consent if required by applicable law
• Provide a summary of significant changes

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about how we use cookies. Continued use of our Platform after policy updates constitutes acceptance of the revised terms [web:20][web:25].

9. LEGAL BASIS FOR USING COOKIES

We use cookies based on the following legal grounds:

Essential Cookies: Necessary for the performance of our contract with you and to provide the services you have requested (no consent required).

Analytics, Functional, and Marketing Cookies: Based on your consent, which you provide through our cookie consent banner or settings. You may withdraw consent at any time.

Security Cookies: Based on our legitimate interests in protecting our Platform and users from fraud, abuse, and security threats.

Applicable privacy laws including GDPR (European Union), CCPA/CPRA (California), and ePrivacy Directive govern our use of cookies and require transparency and user control [web:25].

10. CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies and tracking technologies, please contact us:

DireNote Media
Email: support@direnotemedia.com
Website: www.direnotemedia.com

For cookie-related inquiries, please include "Cookie Policy" in your email subject line. We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days.

Data Protection Officer: For privacy and data protection matters, you may contact our designated Data Protection Officer at support@direnotemedia.com.

Acknowledgment: By continuing to use DireNote Media's Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to our use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy.