Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to DStv Stream's Cookie Policy. This policy explains how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and applications. By using our services, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.

We are committed to transparency about the data we collect and how we use it. This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide a better user experience.

Cookies contain information that is transferred to your device's hard drive. They help us recognize your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions on our website.

Types of Cookies by Duration:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. They help us track your journey through our site during a single visit.
• Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. They remember your preferences for future visits.

3. How We Use Cookies

DStv Stream uses cookies for several important purposes to enhance your streaming experience:

Essential Functions:

• Authenticating your account and maintaining your login session
• Remembering your device and streaming quality preferences
• Enabling secure access to your personalized content and watchlists
• Protecting against fraudulent activity and enhancing security
• Processing your subscription and payment information securely

Performance and Analytics:

• Understanding how you interact with our platform and content
• Analyzing viewing patterns to recommend relevant content
• Measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
• Identifying and fixing technical issues or bugs
• Testing new features and improvements

Personalization:

• Customizing content recommendations based on your viewing history
• Remembering your language, subtitle, and audio preferences
• Tailoring the user interface to match your preferences
• Providing personalized marketing messages and offers

4. Types of Cookies We Use

4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for you to browse our website and use its features. Without these cookies, services like secure login and access to your account cannot be provided.

Examples:

• session_id - Maintains your login session
• csrf_token - Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks
• device_id - Identifies your device for streaming authorization
• cookie_consent - Remembers your cookie preferences

Duration: Session or up to 1 year

4.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website and apps, helping us understand user behavior and improve our services.

Examples:

• _ga - Google Analytics cookie that distinguishes unique users
• _gid - Google Analytics cookie that distinguishes users
• analytics_session - Tracks user journey and interactions
• performance_metrics - Monitors streaming quality and buffering events

Duration: Up to 2 years

4.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, personalized features.

Examples:

• language_pref - Stores your preferred language
• subtitle_settings - Remembers subtitle and audio preferences
• video_quality - Stores your preferred streaming quality
• watchlist_sync - Synchronizes your watchlist across devices
• parental_controls - Maintains parental control settings

Duration: Up to 1 year

4.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. They may be set by our advertising partners.

Examples:

• ad_id - Tracks advertising campaigns and conversions
• marketing_segment - Categorizes users for targeted marketing
• facebook_pixel - Facebook tracking for ad optimization
• google_ads - Google Ads conversion tracking

Duration: Up to 1 year

4.5 Social Media Cookies

These cookies enable you to share content on social media platforms and may track your browsing activity across different websites.

Examples:

• facebook_connect - Facebook integration for social sharing
• twitter_share - Twitter integration for content sharing
• instagram_widget - Instagram feed integration

Duration: Up to 2 years

5. Third-Party Cookies

In addition to our own cookies, we use various third-party services that set cookies on your device. These services help us provide better functionality, analytics, and marketing capabilities.

Our Third-Party Partners Include:

• Google Analytics: Provides detailed analytics about website usage and user behavior
• Google Ads: Delivers targeted advertising and measures campaign performance
• Facebook Pixel: Tracks conversions and optimizes Facebook advertising campaigns
• YouTube: Enables embedded video content and tracks video interactions
• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing for subscriptions (Stripe, PayPal, M-Pesa)
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Optimizes video streaming and website performance
• Customer Support Tools: Powers our live chat and customer support features

These third-party cookies are subject to the privacy policies of the respective providers. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies to understand how they use your data.

6. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we use other technologies to enhance your experience and collect information:

Web Beacons and Pixels

Small graphic images (also known as "pixel tags" or "clear GIFs") that work with cookies to track user behavior, email opens, and ad impressions.

Local Storage

HTML5 local storage allows us to store larger amounts of data on your device, such as video playback preferences, resume points, and cached content for offline viewing.

Device Fingerprinting

We may collect information about your device's characteristics (screen size, operating system, browser version) to detect fraud and optimize content delivery.

Software Development Kits (SDKs)

Our mobile apps use third-party SDKs for analytics, crash reporting, and advertising, which may collect similar information to cookies.

7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options to control and manage cookies on our platform:

7.1 Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit DStv Stream, you'll see a cookie consent banner. You can customize your preferences by clicking "Cookie Settings" to enable or disable specific cookie categories.

To update your preferences at any time, click the "Cookie Preferences" link in the footer of any page.

7.2 Browser Settings

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

• View, delete, and block cookies
• Set your browser to notify you when cookies are being sent
• Block all cookies (though this may limit website functionality)

Browser-Specific Instructions:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies
• Mobile Safari: Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies
• Android Chrome: Settings → Site settings → Cookies

7.3 Opt-Out Tools

For advertising and analytics cookies, you can use these opt-out tools:

• Google Ads: Google Ad Settings
• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Opt-Out Tool
• Digital Advertising Alliance: DAA Opt-Out Tool
• Your Online Choices (EU): YourOnlineChoices

7.4 Mobile App Settings

On mobile devices, you can limit ad tracking through device settings:

• iOS: Settings → Privacy → Tracking → Turn off "Allow Apps to Request to Track"
• Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have the right to restrict or block cookies, doing so may impact your experience on DStv Stream:

If You Disable Essential Cookies:

• You may not be able to log in or access your account
• Some features may not function properly or at all
• You may need to re-enter information repeatedly
• Security features may not work correctly

If You Disable Functional Cookies:

• Your preferences won't be remembered between sessions
• Language, subtitle, and quality settings will reset
• You'll need to manually adjust settings each time you visit
• Your watchlist may not sync across devices

If You Disable Analytics Cookies:

• We won't be able to measure and improve site performance
• You'll still receive the same service, but we may not be able to optimize it
• Content recommendations may be less personalized

If You Disable Advertising Cookies:

• You'll still see advertisements, but they may be less relevant
• You may see the same ads repeatedly
• Special offers and promotions may not be personalized

9. Cookies and Personal Data

Some cookies may collect information that can identify you personally when combined with other data. This information is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Data We May Collect Through Cookies:

• IP address and approximate location
• Device information (type, operating system, browser)
• Viewing history and content preferences
• Search queries and interactions
• Date and time of visits
• Pages viewed and time spent on each page
• Referring website or source

We implement appropriate security measures to protect cookie data and only retain it for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy.

10. International Data Transfers

DStv Stream operates across multiple African countries and globally. Cookies may transfer data to servers located outside your country of residence.

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place when transferring personal data internationally, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Compliance with regional data protection regulations
• Adequate security measures for data in transit and at rest
• Transparency about where data is stored and processed

11. Children's Privacy

DStv Stream does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through cookies without parental consent. Our Kids profile feature uses limited cookies only for essential functions like content filtering and parental controls.

If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

12. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. However, there is no industry consensus on how to respond to DNT signals.

Currently, DStv Stream does not respond to DNT signals. We encourage you to use our cookie preference center and browser settings to manage your privacy preferences.

13. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, our business operations, or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons.

When we make significant changes, we will notify you by:

• Posting a notice on our website homepage
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending an email notification to registered users (for major changes)
• Displaying a prominent notice when you log in

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

14. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding cookies and the personal data they collect:

Right to Information

You have the right to know what cookies we use and how they affect your data.

Right to Consent

For non-essential cookies, we will ask for your consent before placing them on your device.

Right to Withdraw Consent

You can withdraw your consent at any time through our cookie preference center.

Right to Access

You can request information about the data collected through cookies.

Right to Deletion

You can request deletion of data collected through cookies, subject to legal requirements.

Right to Object

You can object to certain types of cookie processing, particularly for marketing purposes.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding our use of cookies, please contact us:

We aim to respond to all inquiries within 30 days. For urgent matters, please mark your communication as "URGENT" in the subject line.

16. Additional Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy, we recommend these resources:

• All About Cookies: www.allaboutcookies.org
• Internet Advertising Bureau: www.iab.com
• Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA): Information Commissioner's Office South Africa
• Network Advertising Initiative: www.networkadvertising.org

17. Legal Acknowledgment

By continuing to use DStv Stream's services after reading this Cookie Policy, you acknowledge that you understand how we use cookies and consent to their use as described, except where you have modified your cookie settings.

This Cookie Policy is part of our Terms of Service and should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy. In case of any conflict between this Cookie Policy and the Privacy Policy, the Privacy Policy shall prevail.

Effective Date: This Cookie Policy is effective as of January 1, 2024, and applies to all users of DStv Stream services.