Cookie Policy

Last updated: November 2025

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy ("Policy") explains how Institut Universitaire de Développement International, operating as IUDI University ("we", "us", "our", or "Institution"), uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our online learning management and student information platform (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 information.

By accessing or using the Platform, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, you can disable or restrict cookies through your browser settings, though this may impact the functionality of the Platform.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone, or other internet-enabled device) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies typically contain:

  • A unique identifier that distinguishes your device from others
  • The name of the website that placed the cookie
  • A value (text or number) containing information
  • An expiration date indicating when the cookie will be deleted

Cookies allow websites to recognize your device and store information about your preferences, past actions, or browsing history. This enables websites to provide you with a more personalized and efficient experience.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We use several categories of cookies on our Platform, each serving different purposes:

3.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

Essential cookies are necessary for the Platform to function properly and cannot be disabled in our systems. These cookies enable core functionality such as:

  • User authentication and session management
  • Security and fraud prevention
  • Load balancing and site stability
  • Maintaining user preferences during a session
  • Remembering information you enter in forms
  • Navigating between pages efficiently

Legal Basis: These cookies are essential for the performance of the contract between you and the Institution (providing educational services) and for legitimate interests in platform security and functionality.

Retention: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies with expiration dates typically ranging from session duration to one year.

3.2 Functional Cookies (Preference Cookies)

Functional cookies allow the Platform to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, personalized features. These cookies:

  • Remember your language preferences
  • Store your accessibility settings
  • Remember your interface preferences and layout choices
  • Enable additional features such as chat support or video playback preferences
  • Remember course progress indicators and bookmark positions

Legal Basis: Consent (you can opt-out through browser settings or cookie management tools).

Retention: Typically 30 days to 1 year, depending on the specific functionality.

3.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Platform by collecting and reporting information anonymously. These cookies enable us to:

  • Analyze Platform usage patterns and user behavior
  • Identify popular content and features
  • Identify technical issues and areas for improvement
  • Measure the effectiveness of our content and services
  • Understand how users navigate through the Platform
  • Track error rates and page load times

Legal Basis: Consent (you can opt-out through browser settings or cookie management tools).

Third-Party Services: We may use analytics services such as Google Analytics (with anonymization enabled) or similar services that use cookies to collect usage statistics.

Retention: Typically 24 months, though anonymized data may be retained longer for trend analysis.

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

Currently, we do not use marketing or advertising cookies that track you across different websites. If we introduce such cookies in the future, we will update this Policy and obtain your consent before implementation.

In the event we implement marketing cookies, they would be used to:

  • Deliver relevant educational content and program information
  • Measure the effectiveness of our communications
  • Personalize content based on your interests (with consent)

4. Types of Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we use other tracking technologies that serve similar purposes:

4.1 Web Beacons (Pixel Tags)

Small, invisible images embedded in emails or web pages that allow us to track when content is opened or viewed. We use web beacons primarily for email delivery confirmation and engagement tracking.

4.2 Local Storage and Session Storage

Browser storage technologies that allow us to store larger amounts of data locally on your device. We use these for:

  • Storing user preferences and settings
  • Caching course content for offline access
  • Temporary data storage during active sessions

5. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies

5.1 First-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by our Platform domain. These cookies are controlled by us and are primarily used to provide Platform functionality and improve user experience.

5.2 Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are set by domains other than our Platform. We may use third-party cookies for:

  • Analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics)
  • Content delivery networks (CDNs)
  • Video hosting services (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo)
  • Payment processing services
  • Authentication services (e.g., OAuth providers)

Third-party cookies are subject to the privacy policies of the respective third parties. We recommend reviewing their policies to understand how they use cookies and your information.

6. Cookie Duration

Cookies can be either "session" cookies or "persistent" cookies:

6.1 Session Cookies

Session cookies are temporary and are deleted automatically when you close your browser. They are essential for maintaining your session while navigating the Platform and ensuring security.

6.2 Persistent Cookies

Persistent cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until you delete them manually. They enable the Platform to recognize you when you return and remember your preferences. Persistent cookies have expiration dates ranging from 30 days to 2 years, depending on their purpose.

7. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

  • Authentication: To identify you when you log in and keep you logged in during your session
  • Security: To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
  • Preferences: To remember your language, accessibility, and interface preferences
  • Performance: To monitor and improve Platform performance and reliability
  • Analytics: To understand how users interact with the Platform and identify areas for improvement
  • Course Progress: To track your progress through courses and assessments
  • Communication: To enable messaging and communication features
  • Payment Processing: To securely process payments and maintain transaction security

8. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

8.1 Browser Settings

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

  • View cookies stored on your device
  • Delete cookies individually or all at once
  • Block cookies from specific websites or all websites
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Delete cookies automatically when you close your browser
  • Receive notifications when cookies are set

Popular Browser Cookie Settings:

  • Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
  • Mozilla Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions
  • Apple Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data

Important Note: Disabling essential cookies will prevent certain features of the Platform from functioning correctly. You may be unable to log in, access course materials, or use interactive features.

8.2 Opt-Out Tools

You can opt-out of certain third-party analytics cookies by visiting:

9. Cookies Set by Third Parties

The following third-party services may set cookies on our Platform:

9.1 Analytics Services

9.2 Payment Processors

  • Payment processing services may set cookies to ensure secure transaction processing

9.3 Content Delivery Networks

  • CDN services may set cookies to optimize content delivery and improve loading speeds

We do not have control over third-party cookies. Please refer to the respective third parties' privacy policies for information about how they use cookies and your data.

10. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable or restrict cookies, certain features of the Platform may not function correctly or may be unavailable:

  • You may not be able to log in to your account
  • Your preferences and settings may not be saved
  • Course progress may not be tracked accurately
  • Interactive features may not work properly
  • You may need to re-enter information repeatedly
  • Video playback and multimedia content may be affected
  • Payment processing may be disrupted

Essential cookies cannot be disabled without significantly impairing Platform functionality.

11. Mobile Applications

If you access the Platform through a mobile application, similar tracking technologies may be used. Mobile apps may use:

  • Device identifiers (UDID, IDFA, Android ID)
  • Advertising identifiers
  • App-specific analytics
  • Local storage mechanisms

You can manage these settings through your device's privacy settings or within the mobile application settings, if available.

12. Data Collected Through Cookies

Information collected through cookies may include:

  • IP addresses (may be anonymized)
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type and operating system
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • Referring websites
  • Click patterns and navigation paths
  • Language and location preferences
  • Interaction with Platform features

This information is used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and is subject to the same data protection measures.

13. Legal Basis for Cookie Use

We use cookies based on the following legal grounds:

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the performance of a contract (providing educational services) and legitimate interests (security, fraud prevention)
  • Functional Cookies: Consent
  • Analytics Cookies: Consent
  • Marketing Cookies: Consent (if implemented)

Where consent is required, we will obtain your explicit consent before setting non-essential cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time through your browser settings or cookie management tools.

14. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Material changes will be communicated through:

  • Email notification to your registered email address
  • Prominent notice on the Platform
  • Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this Policy

Your continued use of the Platform after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.

15. Children's Privacy and Cookies

Our Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18 without parental consent. We do not knowingly use cookies to collect personal information from minors without appropriate authorization. If you are a parent or guardian and believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately at privacy@iudi.org.

16. International Users

If you are accessing the Platform from outside the jurisdiction of the Institution, please note that cookie laws and regulations may vary by country. By using the Platform, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Policy, regardless of your location.

17. Contact Us

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

Data Protection Officer
Institut Universitaire de Développement International
Email: privacy@iudi.org
Subject Line: Cookie Policy Inquiry

18. Additional Resources

For more information about cookies and how they work, you may wish to visit:

19. Consent and Agreement

By continuing to use the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy and consent to our use of cookies as described herein. If you do not agree with this Policy, you may adjust your cookie preferences through your browser settings, though some Platform features may not be available.