How We Use 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 more efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to site owners about how their platform is being used. Cookies are not programs — they cannot carry viruses, execute code, or install software on your device. They simply store small pieces of text that help websites deliver a better, more personalised experience. In addition to cookies, LitMall may also use similar technologies such as: • Local Storage: Browser-based key-value storage used for persisting lightweight preferences across sessions without expiry. • Session Storage: Temporary in-browser storage that is cleared when you close your browser tab. • Pixel Tags / Web Beacons: Tiny invisible images embedded in pages or emails that help us understand user engagement. For simplicity, all of the above are collectively referred to as "cookies" throughout this policy.

LitMall uses cookies to: • Keep you securely signed in throughout your shopping session via Firebase Authentication • Remember your shopping cart so your items are not lost as you browse • Save your delivery preferences and display settings for a smoother experience • Understand how students navigate and use LitMall so we can improve the platform • Ensure that Paystack payment transactions are completed securely and without interruption • Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats • Measure the effectiveness of any promotional campaigns or announcements we run We do not use cookies to build advertising profiles, sell your data, or track you across unrelated third-party websites.

These cookies are strictly necessary for LitMall to function. Without them, core features like signing in, maintaining your cart, and completing a payment would not work. Because they are essential to the operation of the platform, they cannot be disabled. Essential cookies on LitMall come from three sources: • LitMall itself (session and cart management) • Google Firebase (authentication tokens that verify your identity) • Paystack (transaction reference tracking during checkout)

These cookies remember choices you have made on LitMall to personalise your experience. Examples include: • Your last-used delivery address • Any display or notification preferences you have saved in your account settings Preference cookies are not required for the platform to function, but disabling them may mean you need to re-enter certain details each visit. You can disable these in your browser settings or through our Cookie Settings.

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with LitMall. We use Google Analytics to collect aggregated, anonymised data about: • Which pages and product categories are most visited • How long users spend on different parts of the platform • Common navigation paths and drop-off points • General device and browser type information This data does not identify you personally and is used solely to improve the LitMall experience for all students. Analytics cookies are optional and can be disabled without affecting your ability to shop.

LitMall does not use: • Advertising or targeting cookies that track you across third-party websites • Social media tracking cookies (e.g. Facebook Pixel) on our platform • Fingerprinting or other covert tracking technologies • Any cookies for the purpose of profiling users for sale to advertisers

The table below lists the specific cookies currently in use on LitMall, their purpose, and how long they remain on your device. This list is reviewed and updated regularly.

LitMall uses Google Firebase Authentication to manage user accounts and login sessions. Firebase may set its own cookies or use local storage on your device to maintain authentication state. These are essential to the functioning of your account and cannot be disabled while using LitMall. Firebase is operated by Google LLC. For more information on how Google handles data in Firebase, please refer to Google's Privacy Policy at policies.google.com/privacy.

When you proceed to checkout, you interact with Paystack's payment interface. Paystack may set session cookies on your device to track your active payment transaction and prevent fraud. These cookies are strictly limited to the duration of your payment session. Paystack is operated by Paystack Payments Limited. For more information, refer to Paystack's Privacy Policy at paystack.com/privacy.

We use Google Analytics to collect anonymised usage statistics. Google Analytics sets cookies (_ga, _ga_[ID]) that help us understand how users engage with the platform. The data collected is aggregated and does not personally identify you. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Beyond Firebase, Paystack, and Google Analytics, LitMall does not permit any other third-party services to set cookies on our platform. We do not embed third-party advertising networks, social media trackers, or affiliate tracking scripts.

You can control, restrict, or delete cookies through your browser settings at any time. Most browsers allow you to: • View which cookies are stored on your device • Block all cookies or only third-party cookies • Delete cookies when you close your browser • Set exceptions for specific websites Below are links to cookie management instructions for common browsers: • Google Chrome: chrome://settings/cookies • Mozilla Firefox: about:preferences#privacy • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data • Microsoft Edge: edge://settings/content/cookies Please note that blocking essential cookies will prevent you from signing in or completing purchases on LitMall.

If you wish to opt out of Google Analytics specifically, you can: • Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on (tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout) • Use your browser's "Do Not Track" setting — we honour this signal by disabling analytics cookies for your session Opting out of analytics cookies does not affect your ability to browse or shop on LitMall.

Disabling or deleting different categories of cookies will have the following effects: • Essential cookies disabled: You will not be able to log in, maintain a cart, or complete payments. Core platform functionality will be broken. • Preference cookies disabled: Your saved delivery address and display preferences will not be remembered between visits. • Analytics cookies disabled: No impact on your shopping experience. We will simply have less data to improve the platform with.

When you first visit LitMall, you will be presented with a cookie consent notice that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies (preference and analytics). • Accepting all cookies: Enables the full LitMall experience including saved preferences and platform analytics. • Accepting essential cookies only: The platform will function normally for shopping, but your preferences will not be saved and we will not collect usage analytics. Essential cookies (including those set by Firebase and Paystack) are always active regardless of your consent choice, as they are required for the platform to operate. You may update your cookie preferences at any time by accessing Cookie Settings in your account or by clearing your browser cookies and reloading the page to see the consent notice again. Our cookie consent mechanism is implemented in accordance with the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019, and applicable best practices for informed, granular consent.

The data collected through cookies on LitMall is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. In summary: • Session and authentication data collected via Firebase is used solely to verify your identity and maintain your login state. It is not shared with third parties beyond what Firebase requires to operate. • Payment transaction data collected via Paystack cookies is used solely to process your payment securely. LitMall does not have access to your card or M-Pesa credentials at any point. • Analytics data collected via Google Analytics is anonymised and aggregated. It cannot be used to identify you personally. • Preference data stored in LitMall cookies remains on your device and is used only to personalise your experience on our platform. For full details on how we process personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time as our platform evolves, as we adopt new technologies, or to reflect changes in applicable law. When we make material changes, we will: • Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page • Notify registered users via email • Display a notice on LitMall prompting you to review the updated policy Your continued use of LitMall after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy. If you do not agree with the changes, you should adjust your cookie settings or stop using the platform.

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how LitMall uses cookies, please contact us: LitMall Privacy Team Email:frankgladyswairegi@gmail.com Address: LitMall Nakuru, Kenya We aim to respond to all cookie and privacy-related enquiries within 5 business days.