Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit websites. They help
websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferred language and other settings,
which can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.
Educational Focus
As an educational technology platform, we use cookies primarily to enhance your learning
experience, maintain secure sessions, and improve our educational tools based on usage patterns.
How Cookies Work
Cookies are created when you visit a website that uses cookies
They are stored in your browser's cookie folder
Each cookie contains information that can be read by the website that created it
Cookies cannot access other files on your computer or carry viruses
2. Types of Cookies
There are several different types of cookies, classified by different characteristics:
By Duration
Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you delete
them
By Purpose
Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly
Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our website
Marketing Cookies: Used to track visitors and display relevant advertisements
(not used by Blacklink, Inc.)
By Origin
First-Party Cookies: Set by Blacklink, Inc. directly
Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we integrate with
3. Cookies We Use
Below is a detailed list of the cookies used by Blacklink, Inc.:
Essential Cookies
Authentication & Security
These cookies are necessary for you to log in and use our educational platform securely.
Cookie Name
Purpose
Duration
Type
bl_auth_token
Maintains your login session
30 days
First-party
bl_session_id
Identifies your browsing session
Session
First-party
bl_csrf_token
Protects against cross-site request forgery
Session
First-party
bl_secure_flag
Ensures secure connection requirements
Session
First-party
Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your preferences and settings to personalize your experience:
Cookie Name
Purpose
Duration
Type
bl_language
Remembers your language preference
1 year
First-party
bl_theme
Stores your display theme preference
1 year
First-party
bl_accessibility
Remembers accessibility settings
1 year
First-party
bl_dashboard_layout
Saves your dashboard configuration
6 months
First-party
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how our platform is used to improve educational outcomes:
Cookie Name
Purpose
Duration
Type
bl_analytics
Tracks usage patterns (anonymized)
2 years
First-party
bl_performance
Monitors platform performance
30 days
First-party
bl_feature_usage
Tracks which features are most helpful
1 year
First-party
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some features on our platform use services provided by third parties, which may set their own
cookies:
Google Services
Google Authentication: Enables single sign-on for educational accounts
Google Analytics: Helps us understand platform usage (anonymized data only)
reCAPTCHA: Protects against automated abuse
Educational Tools
Video Platforms: For educational content delivery
Interactive Elements: Third-party educational widgets and tools
Assessment Tools: Secure testing and evaluation platforms
Third-Party Cookie Control
We require our third-party partners to comply with educational privacy standards. However, these
services are governed by their own privacy policies and cookie practices.
5. Your Choices and Control
You have several options for controlling cookies on our platform:
Cookie Consent
When you first visit our site, you'll see a cookie consent banner
You can choose which types of cookies to accept
Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they're necessary for platform functionality
You can change your cookie preferences at any time in your account settings
Account Settings
Cookie Preferences
In your account dashboard, you can:
View which cookies are currently set
Enable or disable optional cookies
Clear stored preferences
Download a record of your cookie settings
Impact of Disabling Cookies
Essential Cookies: Disabling would prevent login and core functionality
Functional Cookies: Your preferences won't be remembered between sessions
Analytics Cookies: Won't affect your experience but limits our ability to
improve
6. Browser Settings
You can also control cookies through your web browser settings:
Popular Browser Instructions
Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
Browser Options
Block all cookies (may affect website functionality)
Block third-party cookies only
Delete cookies when browser is closed
Ask before setting each cookie
View and delete individual cookies
Educational Platform Considerations
If you disable cookies entirely, you may not be able to access assignments, save progress, or use
collaborative features that are essential for your educational experience.
7. Local Storage and Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we use other storage technologies:
Local Storage
Purpose: Store larger amounts of data for offline functionality
Content: Cached educational materials, user preferences, draft work
Duration: Persists until manually cleared or browser storage is reset
Control: Can be cleared through browser settings
Session Storage
Purpose: Temporary storage for current session data
Content: Form data, navigation state, temporary settings
Duration: Cleared when browser tab is closed
Control: Automatically cleared, no user action needed
IndexedDB
Purpose: Offline storage for educational content
Content: Downloadable lessons, cached media, progress data
Duration: Managed by browser storage policies
Control: Can be cleared through browser developer tools
8. Cookie Policy Updates
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable
laws:
When We Update
Addition of new cookies or tracking technologies
Changes in legal requirements
Updates to third-party services
New features that require additional data storage
Notification Process
Updated policy will be posted with a new "Last Updated" date
Significant changes will trigger a new consent request
Users will be notified via email or platform notification
Continued use of the platform indicates acceptance of changes
Cookie Policy Questions
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us: