1. Introduction

Welcome to AfterMidnight.bg. This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies across our website and mobile application (collectively referred to as the "Services"). These technologies help us improve functionality, personalize content, analyse user behaviour, and provide tailored advertising.

By accessing or using our Services, you consent to the use of cookies as outlined in this policy. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings or our cookie management tools.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. These files store information that allows us to:

• Recognise your device and remember your preferences for a more seamless experience.
• Enhance website performance by optimising speed and functionality.
• Improve security by detecting potential threats and unauthorised access.
• Analyse site traffic to understand user behaviour and improve our Services.
• Deliver personalised content and ads based on your browsing history and interactions.

Some cookies are essential for the proper functioning of our Services, while others help us optimise performance and provide a more personalized experience.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

There are several types of cookies we may use in order to enhance your experience of our Services:

a) Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of our Services. They enable core functionalities such as user authentication, security, and accessibility. Without these cookies, certain features may not function properly.

Technical Characteristics of Strictly Necessary Cookies:

• Session Management: These cookies maintain session integrity by storing unique session identifiers (Session IDs). This mechanism allows the server to recognise individual users and manage their interactions seamlessly across multiple pages.
• Authentication Tokens: Upon successful login, authentication tokens are stored in these cookies, enabling users to access restricted areas without repeated credential submissions.
• Load Balancing: To optimize resource utilization and ensure efficient traffic distribution, load balancers use these cookies to track session data, directing user requests to appropriate server nodes.
• User Preferences Storage: Preferences such as language selection or display settings are saved in these cookies, allowing the website to present content tailored to individual user choices.
• Security Enhancements: Security-related cookies help detect and prevent malicious activities by storing data that verifies user authenticity and monitors for unusual behaviour patterns.

Key Attributes:

• First-Party Cookies: Strictly necessary cookies are usually set by the website (first-party) the user is visiting, ensuring direct control over their deployment and management.
• Session-Based or Persistent: While many of these cookies are session-based – meaning they expire once the browser is closed – some may be persistent, remaining on the device for a predefined period to retain user preferences across sessions.
• Non-Intrusive: These cookies do not track user activity beyond the website's scope, focusing solely on essential functionalities without infringing on user privacy.

Examples of Strictly Necessary Cookies:

• Session ID Cookies: PHPSESSID in PHP-based applications or ASP.NET_SessionId in ASP.NET applications, which store the user's session identifier.
• Authentication Cookies: Cookies like auth_token that keep users logged in as they navigate through secure areas of the site.
• Load Balancer Cookies: Cookies such as BIGipServerPOOL used by F5 load balancers to manage server traffic efficiently.
• Preference Cookies: Cookies like language or locale that store the user's language preference.

b) Performance Cookies

These cookies collect information about how you use our Services, such as pages visited and any errors encountered. This data helps us improve the performance and usability of our Services.

Technical Characteristics of Performance Cookies:

• Data Collection: These cookies gather metrics such as page load times, visitor numbers, and navigation paths.
• Session and Persistent Cookies: Performance cookies can be session-based, expiring when the browser closes, or persistent, remaining on the device for a set duration to track returning visitors.

Third-Party Involvement:

Often, these cookies are set by third-party analytics services to assist website owners in analysing site usage. For example, Google Analytics sets cookies like to distinguish users and sessions, and to identify traffic sources.

Key Attributes:

• Anonymity: The data collected is typically aggregated and anonymised, focusing on trends and patterns without identifying individual users.
• Opt-Out Options: Users can often manage or opt out of performance cookies through browser settings or opt-out mechanisms provided by the website, aligning with privacy regulations.

Examples of Performance Cookies:

• Google Analytics Cookies:
  • Identifies unique visitors and sessions, with a default expiration of two years.
  • Determines new sessions and visits, expiring after 30 minutes of inactivity.
  • Tracks the source of traffic, such as search engines or referrals, with a six-month lifespan.

c) Functionality Cookies

These cookies allow our Services to remember choices you make (e.g., language preference, region) and provide enhanced, personalized features.

Technical Characteristics of Functionality Cookies:

• User Preference Storage: Functionality cookies retain information about user selections, such as language preferences, region settings, and display configurations. This allows the website to present content and interfaces aligned with individual user choices upon subsequent visits.
• Authentication Support: These cookies can store login credentials, enabling automatic authentication and facilitating access to restricted areas without requiring users to re-enter their information each time they visit.
• Enhanced Features Enablement: Functionality cookies support advanced website features, including video playback, web chat services, and interactive content. By storing relevant settings and preferences, they ensure these features operate smoothly and are customized to user needs.

Key Attributes:

• First-Party Implementation: Typically set by the website itself, functionality cookies are considered first-party cookies. They are designed to improve the user experience on the specific site and do not track browsing activities across other websites.
• Persistent Nature: Many functionality cookies are persistent, meaning they remain on the user's device for a predetermined period or until manually deleted. This persistence allows the website to recall user preferences and settings across multiple sessions, providing a consistent experience.
• Non-Essential but Beneficial: While not strictly necessary for the basic operation of a website, functionality cookies significantly enhance usability and personalisation. Without them, certain features and services may be unavailable or may not function as intended.

Examples of Functionality Cookies:

• Language Preference Cookie: A cookie that stores the user's chosen language, ensuring that the website displays content in the preferred language on future visits.
• Region Setting Cookie: A cookie that remembers the user's regional selection, allowing the website to present location-specific content, such as local events or weather information.
• Authentication Cookie: A cookie that retains login information, enabling users to stay logged in across sessions without re-entering credentials.

d) Targeting/Advertising Cookies

These cookies track your browsing habits to deliver advertisements relevant to you and your interests. They may also limit the number of times you see an ad and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Technical Characteristics of Targeting/Advertising Cookies:

• Data Collection: These cookies gather data on your browsing behaviour, including visited pages, clicked links, and time spent on sites. This information helps in understanding your interests and preferences.
• Cross-Site Tracking: Often set by third-party domains, targeting cookies monitor your activity across multiple websites. This cross-site tracking enables advertisers to compile comprehensive profiles for precise ad targeting.
• Persistent Storage: Unlike session cookies, targeting cookies are typically persistent, remaining on your device for extended periods. This persistence allows for long-term tracking of your browsing history to refine advertising strategies.

Key Attributes:

• Third-Party Involvement: Many targeting cookies are placed by third-party advertising networks, not the website you're directly visiting. These third parties use the collected data to display ads across various sites you visit.
• User Profiling: The primary purpose of these cookies is to create detailed user profiles. By analysing your online behaviour, advertisers can segment audiences and deliver personalized content that aligns with your interests.
• Opt-Out Options: Due to privacy concerns, regulations often require websites to inform users about the use of targeting cookies and provide options to opt out. Managing cookie preferences can usually be done through browser settings or dedicated privacy tools.

Examples of Targeting/Advertising Cookies:

• Google AdSense Cookies: Used to serve personalized ads on Google-affiliated sites by tracking user interactions and preferences.
• Facebook Pixel: A piece of code that allows websites to track visitor actions and retarget them with relevant ads on Facebook platforms.
• DoubleClick Cookies: Managed by Google, these cookies track user behaviour to optimize ad delivery and reporting across the web.

4. Third-Party Cookies

When you access and use our Services, third-party service providers—including advertising networks, analytics providers, and social media platforms—may place cookies and similar tracking technologies on your device. These third-party cookies serve various functions, including but not limited to:

a) Personalised Advertising

Third-party advertisers may use cookies to collect information about your browsing behaviour across different websites and services. This data helps them deliver relevant ads based on your interests, demographics, and online activity. These cookies may also limit the number of times you see an ad and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

b) Analytics and Performance Tracking

We partner with analytics providers (such as Google Analytics) that use cookies to track and analyse how users interact with our Services. This includes collecting data on page views, session duration, device type, geographic location, and other usage patterns. These insights help us improve the functionality, design, and overall user experience of our platform.

c) Social Media Features and Integrations

Some third-party cookies facilitate social media functionalities, such as allowing you to share content directly from our website or log in using social media credentials (e.g., Facebook, Google, Instagram, X.com). These cookies may also enable social media platforms to track your interactions with our Services and personalise the content they display to you.

d) Security and Fraud Prevention

Certain third-party cookies help detect and prevent fraudulent activity, unauthorised access, and security threats. These cookies enhance the safety of both our platform and our users by identifying suspicious behaviour.

Managing Third-Party Cookies

Since we do not control third-party cookies, we encourage you to review the privacy policies of these external service providers to understand how they collect, use, and manage your data. You can also manage or disable third-party cookies through:

• Your browser settings (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
• Privacy settings on social media platforms
• Opt-out tools provided by advertising networks (such as the Network Advertising Initiative or the Digital Advertising Alliance)

5. Mobile Application Data Collection

When you use our mobile application, we may collect certain information through similar tracking technologies, including device identifiers and analytics tools. These technologies help us enhance app performance, improve user experience, and ensure security. The data collected may include:

a) Device Identifiers

We may collect unique device identifiers (such as IDFA for iOS or GAID for Android) to recognize your device and associate your app usage with analytics or advertising purposes. These identifiers help with:

• Delivering personalised content and ads
• Preventing fraud and ensuring security
• Measuring app performance

b) App Usage Analytics

To understand how users interact with our mobile app, we use analytics tools (such as Google Analytics for Firebase, Mixpanel, or similar services) to collect data such as:

• Screens visited and time spent on each section
• Tap interactions, gestures, and navigation patterns
• App crashes, errors, and performance metrics
• Device type, operating system, and network connection

c) Location Data (If Enabled)

If you grant location permissions, we may collect approximate or precise location data to provide location-based services, enhance app functionality, or serve relevant content. You can manage location tracking preferences in your device settings.

d) Background Data Collection

Some app features may require background data collection, such as push notifications, offline tracking, or syncing information for a seamless experience. We only collect data necessary to operate these features.

Managing Your Preferences

You can manage or limit data collection in several ways:

• Adjusting permissions in your device settings (e.g., disabling location access or restricting tracking)
• Opting out of personalised ads through your device's privacy settings (e.g., "Limit Ad Tracking" on iOS or "Opt out of Ads Personalization" on Android)
• Reviewing our Privacy Policy for more details on how we handle your data

6. Your Choices

You have the right to accept or reject cookies:

• Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or delete existing cookies. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our Services.
• Mobile Settings: For mobile applications, you can manage data collection through your device settings. This may include adjusting privacy settings or resetting advertising identifiers.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in laws, technology, or our data practices. Any significant updates will be communicated by posting the revised policy on our website with an updated “Effective Date.” In some cases, we may also provide additional notifications through our Services if required by law.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and how you can manage your preferences. Your continued use of our Services after any updates take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to our use of cookies, or if you would like more information about how we collect, use, and protect your data, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help!

You can contact us using the following methods:

• Email: For detailed inquiries or to request further clarification about our cookie practices, please send us an email at office@aftermidnight.bg.
• Phone: If you prefer to speak with us directly, you can reach our customer support team at (+359) 884 980 988. Our team is available to assist you during regular business hours.
• Instagram: You can also contact us via our official Instagram account at @after.midnight.sofia. We are happy to answer any questions or engage in discussions about our policies.

Company Details

• Name: Midnight Entertainment Ltd
• Company Number: 208214129
• Registered Address: Georgi Obretenov 4, Poduyane, Sofia, Bulgaria

We value your privacy and are committed to ensuring that your experience with our website is secure and transparent. Thank you for reaching out to us!