Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the website remember information about your visit, such as your login status and preferences.

NextStepQA uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in to your account.
• Remember your progress through the course.
• Ensure the Platform functions correctly.
• Understand how users interact with the Platform.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the Platform to function and cannot be disabled.

• Authentication cookies set by Clerk to manage your login session.
• Security tokens to protect against cross-site request forgery.

Functional Cookies

These cookies remember your preferences and settings.

• Storing your course progress and lesson completion state.
• UI preferences such as layout settings.

Analytics Cookies

During the Beta phase we may use basic, privacy-friendly analytics to understand Platform usage patterns. These analytics do not use advertising cookies or track you across other websites.

If we add analytics tools in the future that require consent under GDPR, we will update this policy and ask for your explicit consent before setting those cookies.

Some cookies are set by third-party services we use:

• Clerk — sets cookies to manage authentication sessions (see their privacy policy for details).
• Vercel — may set cookies related to deployment and performance (see their privacy policy for details).

We do not use advertising networks or tracking cookies from social media platforms.

These providers may set their own cookies in accordance with their respective privacy policies.

On your first visit, you will be shown a cookie notice. Where required, we will ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies. Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled as they are required for the Platform to work.

You can also manage cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect your ability to log in or access the Platform.

Guidance for common browsers:

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions

We may update this Cookie Policy as the Platform evolves. We will notify you of material changes via the Platform or by email.

Questions about cookies: hello@nextstepqa.com