1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, work more efficiently, and to provide information to the website owners.
Cookies allow a website to recognise your device and remember information about your visit — such as your preferred language, whether you are logged in, and how you use the site. This helps us deliver a more personalised and seamless experience every time you visit TutorNest.
Cookies set by TutorNest are called "first-party cookies". Cookies set by other organisations on our behalf (for example, analytics providers) are called "third-party cookies". Both types are covered by this policy.
Similar technologies such as web beacons, pixels, and local storage may also be used for the same purposes as cookies. When we refer to "cookies" in this policy, we include all such technologies.
2. Types of Cookies We Use
We group the cookies we use into four categories. Below is a summary of each type and what it does.
Strictly Necessary Cookies — Details
These cookies are required for TutorNest to operate and cannot be switched off. They do not store any personally identifiable information beyond what is needed to maintain your session. Examples include:
- Authentication session cookie: Keeps you logged in as you navigate between pages. Expires when you sign out or after your session ends.
- CSRF token: Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks by validating that form submissions originate from TutorNest.
- Security cookies: Help detect and prevent malicious activity such as brute-force login attempts.
- Load balancing cookie: Ensures your requests are consistently routed to the same server during your session for a stable experience.
Performance & Analytics Cookies — Details
These cookies collect information about how you interact with TutorNest, including which pages you visit, how long you spend on each page, and any error messages you encounter. This data is used in aggregate to improve our platform. We use Vercel Analytics for this purpose. The data collected does not identify you personally. You can opt out of analytics data collection by adjusting your browser settings or using a browser extension that blocks analytics scripts.
Functional Cookies — Details
These cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience, such as your preferred currency for viewing tutor prices, or UI preferences. They are not essential to the core functionality of the platform but improve your comfort in using it. Disabling them may mean you need to re-enter certain preferences on each visit.
3. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on TutorNest are placed by third-party service providers we use to deliver our platform. These providers act as data processors on our behalf and are bound by their own privacy policies in addition to our data processing agreements.
Supabase
Supabase provides our database and authentication infrastructure. Supabase may set cookies related to authentication and session management. For more information, see the Supabase Privacy Policy.
Vercel Analytics
Vercel provides our hosting infrastructure and an analytics service. Vercel Analytics is privacy-focused and collects anonymised, aggregated usage data without tracking individual users across sites. For more information, see the Vercel Privacy Policy.
Payment Processors
When you proceed to payment (via Stripe, Paystack, or Flutterwave), those providers may set cookies within their payment flows for fraud prevention and security purposes. These cookies are governed by the respective privacy policies of those providers.
TutorNest does not control the cookies set by third parties and is not responsible for their content or privacy practices. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party services you interact with through our platform.
4. Cookie Duration
Cookies vary in how long they remain on your device:
Session Cookies
Session cookies are temporary and expire automatically when you close your browser. They are used primarily for authentication and security (for example, keeping you logged in during your visit). They leave no permanent record on your device.
Persistent Cookies
Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period after you close your browser — typically anywhere from a few days to a maximum of two (2) years. We use persistent cookies primarily for functional preferences and analytics purposes.
We review the necessity and duration of all cookies periodically and aim to use the shortest duration appropriate for each cookie's purpose.
The exact expiry time for each cookie is visible in your browser's developer tools or privacy settings. We maintain an internal record of all cookies we use and their durations, which we review when we update this policy.
5. How to Manage Cookies
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject non-essential cookies. There are several ways to manage your cookie preferences:
Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically choose to block all cookies, block third-party cookies, or delete existing cookies. Below is a brief guide for common browsers:
Opt-Out Tools
You can also use browser extensions such as uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger to block analytics and tracking scripts. For opting out of specific analytics tools, many providers offer their own opt-out mechanisms.
TutorNest Account Settings
Where applicable, you can adjust your cookie and data preferences directly within your TutorNest account settings. We are working to provide a cookie preference centre within the platform for greater granular control.
Impact of Disabling Cookies
Please note that disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent TutorNest from functioning correctly — you will not be able to sign in or use core platform features. Disabling other categories of cookies will not prevent you from using the Platform, but may reduce your experience (for example, your preferences may not be saved between visits).
6. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in the law, or updates to our platform and third-party providers.
When we make material changes — for example, introducing a new category of cookies that requires your consent — we will notify you via a prominent notice on the Platform and, where appropriate, seek your renewed consent before applying those changes.
We encourage you to review this page periodically. The "Last updated" date at the top of this policy will always reflect the most recent revision.
7. Contact
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Email: contact@tutornest.org
For questions about your broader privacy rights and how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.