Cookie Policy

Last Updated: December 1, 2025 · Effective Date: January 1, 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how Mustartlove, Inc. (“Mustartlove,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and mobile applications (collectively, the “Services”). This policy provides you with clear information about what cookies are, why we use them, which types we use, and how you can control them.

By continuing to use our Services after reading this policy, you consent to our use of cookies as described herein. You can change your cookie preferences at any time using the methods described in Section 6.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website or use an application. They are widely used to make websites and apps work more efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies are not programs and cannot carry viruses or access information on your device beyond what is stored in the cookie itself. They do not have the ability to read data from your hard drive or access personal information stored on your device unless you specifically provide it.

Similar technologies include:

  • Web beacons: Small image files embedded in web pages or emails that track whether a page has been viewed or an email has been opened.
  • Pixel tags: Small pieces of code embedded in web pages or emails that track behavior and report back to a server.
  • Local storage: A mechanism in your web browser that allows websites to store data locally on your device, similar to cookies but with greater storage capacity.
  • Session storage: Similar to local storage but data is cleared when the browser session ends.
  • IndexedDB: A low-level API for client-side storage of significant amounts of structured data.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several important purposes:

2.1 Essential Functionality

Some cookies are strictly necessary for our Services to function. These include cookies that:

  • Keep you logged in during your session
  • Maintain your privacy settings and preferences
  • Remember items in your match queue or draft messages
  • Enable security features and fraud prevention
  • Process your authentication state across pages

You cannot opt out of these cookies without significantly impairing the functionality of our Services.

2.2 Performance and Analytics

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our Services, which helps us improve them. These cookies collect information about:

  • Which pages are visited most frequently
  • How long users spend on different parts of the platform
  • How users navigate between features
  • Error conditions that may indicate technical problems
  • Device and browser information to optimize compatibility

This data is collected in aggregate form and does not identify individual users.

2.3 Functionality Cookies

Functionality cookies allow us to provide enhanced features and personalization:

  • Remember your language and region preferences
  • Remember your notification settings
  • Store your display preferences (such as light or dark mode)
  • Remember which communities you have most recently visited
  • Maintain your session across the web and mobile app

2.4 Consent and State Management

We use browser storage to remember your choices and preferences:

  • Your cookie consent decision (to avoid asking repeatedly)
  • Whether you have dismissed certain notifications or banners
  • Your preference for staying logged in between sessions

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Session Cookies

Session cookies are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They are essential for maintaining your login state and ensuring security during your active session. Session cookies store a session identifier that allows our servers to recognize you as you navigate between pages.

3.2 Persistent Cookies

Persistent cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until you delete them. We use persistent cookies to remember your preferences across visits, maintain your login state if you choose “remember me,” and measure how our platform is used over time.

3.3 First-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by Mustartlove. These are the primary cookies we use to deliver our Services. All essential, functionality, and most analytics cookies are first-party cookies.

3.4 Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are set by domains other than Mustartlove. We use a limited set of trusted third-party services that may set cookies on your device:

  • Analytics: We use analytics services to understand how our platform is used. These services set cookies to track anonymous usage patterns.
  • Infrastructure: Content delivery and cloud service providers may set cookies related to performance optimization and security.
  • Payment Processing: Our payment processor sets cookies to facilitate secure payment transactions.

We do not use third-party advertising cookies or allow ad networks to track you through our Services.

4. Specific Cookies We Use

The following table describes the principal cookies set by Mustartlove:

Essential Cookies

  • msl_session — Session authentication cookie. Expires at session end. First party.
  • msl_remember — Persistent login cookie (30 days). Set only when “Remember me” is selected. First party.
  • msl_csrf — Security token to prevent cross-site request forgery. Session cookie. First party.
  • msl_privacy — Stores your privacy setting preferences. Persistent (1 year). First party.

Functionality Cookies

  • msl_locale — Stores your language and region preference. Persistent (1 year). First party.
  • msl_theme — Stores your display theme preference. Persistent (1 year). First party.
  • msl_notif_prefs — Stores your notification preferences. Persistent (6 months). First party.

Analytics Cookies

  • msl_analytics — Anonymous usage tracking for platform improvement. Persistent (13 months). First party.
  • msl_perf — Performance monitoring to detect errors and slow loading. Session cookie. First party.

Local Storage Items

  • cookieConsent — Stores your cookie consent decision to prevent repeated prompts. Persistent (until manually cleared).
  • [hostname]_bar_closed — Stores whether you have dismissed the funding announcement bar. Persistent (until manually cleared).

5. Cookie Retention Periods

Different cookies are retained for different periods:

  • Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
  • Short-term cookies: Expire within 30 days
  • Medium-term cookies: Expire within 6 months
  • Long-term cookies: Expire within 1–2 years
  • Persistent local storage: Retained until you manually clear your browser storage

6. How to Control Cookies

6.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically find these settings in the “Privacy” or “Security” section of your browser settings. You can choose to:

  • Block all cookies
  • Block only third-party cookies
  • Delete cookies when you close your browser
  • Receive a notification before a cookie is placed
  • Delete existing cookies

Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect the functionality of our Services. Essential cookies cannot be blocked without disabling core features.

6.2 Clearing Local Storage

To clear local storage items (including our consent tracking), you can use your browser’s developer tools or privacy settings to clear site data. In most browsers, this option is found under Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data > Cached data and files.

6.3 Platform Preferences

You can manage certain cookie preferences through your Mustartlove account settings under Privacy > Cookie Preferences. This allows you to opt out of analytics cookies while retaining essential and functionality cookies.

7. Cookies and Mobile Applications

Our mobile applications use equivalent technologies to cookies, including local storage and device identifiers. You can manage these through your device operating system settings:

  • iOS: Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security (for web views), or Settings > General > Privacy for app permissions
  • Android: Settings > Privacy, or through individual browser and app settings

8. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites requesting that they not track your browsing activity. At present, there is no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. We currently do not alter our data collection practices based on DNT signals, but we remain attentive to evolving industry standards on this topic.

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable regulations. If we make material changes, we will notify you by updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, by notifying you through our Services or by email.

10. Contact Us

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

Mustartlove, Inc.
Attn: Privacy Team
123 Innovation Drive, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401
United States
Email: privacy@mustartlove.com