Version: 1.0
Last Updated: March 21, 2026
Last Reviewed: March 21, 2026
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Wallahi.com (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize you when you visit our website. It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control their use.
We are committed to transparency and compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the:
- EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
- ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law)
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA)
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to:
- Make websites work efficiently
- Remember your preferences (e.g., language, login status)
- Provide website owners with information about how the site is used
- Enhance security and prevent fraud
Similar technologies include local storage, pixels, and scripts that perform comparable functions.
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for two primary purposes:
| Purpose | Description | Legal Basis (GDPR) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Functionality | Enable core features like secure login, form submission, and emoji rendering. Without these, the site cannot function properly. | Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) |
| Security & Fraud Prevention | Protect our website and users from spam, abuse, and automated attacks using Google reCAPTCHA. | Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) |
🔒 Important Note on Consent
Under the ePrivacy Directive (“Cookie Law”), cookies that are strictly necessary for a service explicitly requested by the user do not require prior consent. Security cookies used to protect our platform and users fall within this exemption. However, because Google reCAPTCHA processes certain device data (e.g., IP address, browser signals), we provide this detailed policy to ensure full transparency and accountability.
4. Cookies We Use
The following cookies are currently active on our site:
| Cookie Name | Domain | Type | Duration | Purpose | Data Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
wpEmojiSettingsSupports | wallahi.com | First-party | Session | Detects whether your browser supports emoji rendering. | None (technical capability check only) |
rc::a | recaptcha.net | Third-party (Google) | Persistent (up to 1 year) | Distinguishes humans from bots; part of reCAPTCHA risk analysis. | IP address, browser/OS info, hardware/software signals, interaction patterns |
rc::c | recaptcha.net | Third-party (Google) | Session | Supports real-time bot detection scoring. | Temporary session signals; deleted on browser close |
📦 Data Processed by Google reCAPTCHA
When reCAPTCHA is active, Google may collect and process:
- Your IP address (anonymized where possible)
- Browser type, version, and language
- Operating system and device information
- Mouse movements, clicks, and scrolling behavior
- Time spent on page and interaction patterns
This data is used solely to calculate a risk score and determine whether the user is human. Google does not use this data for advertising or profiling purposes when reCAPTCHA is implemented in “data processor” mode.
5. Legal Basis & Legitimate Interests Assessment
For security cookies (reCAPTCHA), we rely on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR (legitimate interests). Our legitimate interests are:
- ✅ Protecting our website and users from spam, fraud, and malicious attacks
- ✅ Ensuring the integrity and availability of our services
- ✅ Complying with legal obligations to maintain secure data processing
We have conducted a Legitimate Interests Assessment (LIA)balancing our interests against your rights:
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Necessity | reCAPTCHA is a widely accepted, proportionate tool for bot detection; no less intrusive alternative provides equivalent protection. |
| Expectation | Users reasonably expect websites to implement security measures against abuse. |
| Impact | Data processed is minimal, transient, and used only for security scoring; no profiling or advertising use. |
| Safeguards | Google acts as a data processor under a DPA with SCCs; data is encrypted in transit; retention is limited. |
This LIA is documented internally and available upon request to supervisory authorities.
6. Third-Party Services & International Data Transfers
Google reCAPTCHA
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Provider | Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA |
| Role | Data Processor |
| Privacy Policy | https://policies.google.com/privacy |
| reCAPTCHA Terms | https://www.google.com/recaptcha/about/ |
International Data Transfers
Google LLC is headquartered in the United States. To ensure adequate protection for personal data transferred from the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and the UK, we rely on:
| Safeguard | Description |
|---|---|
| EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) | Google is certified under the DPF, providing an adequacy decision for transfers. |
| Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) | As supplementary safeguards, Google’s Data Processing Addendum incorporates EU-approved SCCs. |
| Supplementary Measures | Data is encrypted in transit; access is restricted; Google undergoes regular security audits. |
For more information, see:
7. Cookies We Do NOT Use
We explicitly do not use:
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Analytics or performance cookies (e.g., Google Analytics, Matomo) | ❌ Not used |
| Advertising, marketing, or retargeting cookies | ❌ Not used |
| Cross-site tracking or fingerprinting technologies | ❌ Not used |
| Social media plugins that set non-essential cookies | ❌ Not used |
| Any non-essential third-party cookies beyond Google reCAPTCHA | ❌ Not used |
If we introduce any new cookie categories in the future, we will update this policy and, where required, seek your prior consent.
8. Your Choices & Managing Cookies
Because We Only Use Essential & Security Cookies:
We display a cookie notice banner stating: “We use essential cookies to ensure the security and functionality of our website.” By clicking “Got it” or continuing to use the site, you acknowledge this notice.Blocking these cookies may break core functionality.
| Consequence | Impact |
|---|---|
| Emojis | May not render correctly |
| Forms (login, contact) | May fail or be flagged as spam |
| Content submission | May be unable to submit content |
| Secure areas | May be unable to access |
Browser-Level Controls
You can manage cookies through your browser settings:
| Action | How-To | Impact on Wallahi.com |
|---|---|---|
| View cookies | Browser Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies | No impact |
| Delete cookies | Clear browsing data → Cookies and site data | May need to re-login; forms may require re-verification |
| Block cookies | Settings → Block third-party cookies / All cookies | Site functionality may break; reCAPTCHA may fail |
Browser Help Links
💡 Pro Tip: Use “Private Browsing” mode to test how our site behaves without persistent cookies.
9. Data Retention
| Data Type | Retention Period | Reason |
|---|---|---|
wpEmojiSettingsSupportscookie | Deleted when browser closes | Session-only technical check |
rc::c cookie | Deleted when browser closes | Temporary risk-scoring session |
rc::a cookie | Up to 1 year | Persistent bot/human distinction |
| reCAPTCHA risk signals (IP, behavior) | Up to 30 days* | Security analysis and model improvement |
*Exact retention periods for reCAPTCHA backend data are determined by Google. For the most current information, see Google’s reCAPTCHA Privacy FAQ.
10. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights under applicable data protection laws:
| Right | GDPR/UK GDPR | CCPA/CPRA | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access | ✅ | ✅ | Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you |
| Rectification | ✅ | ✅ | Correct inaccurate or incomplete data |
| Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”) | ✅ | ✅ | Request deletion of your personal data |
| Restriction of Processing | ✅ | ❌ | Limit how we use your personal data |
| Object to Processing | ✅ (including legitimate interests) | ❌ | Object to processing based on legitimate interests |
| Data Portability | ✅ | ✅ | Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format |
| Opt-out of Sale/Sharing | N/A | ✅ | We do not sell or share data; no action needed |
| Non-Discrimination | ✅ | ✅ | Guaranteed by law for exercising your rights |
How to Submit a Request
- Email info@wallahi.com with the subject line: “Privacy Rights Request – [Your Name]”
- Include sufficient information to verify your identity (e.g., account email, approximate registration date)
- Specify which right(s) you wish to exercise and any relevant details
We will respond within 30 days as required by law. If additional time is needed, we will notify you with an explanation.
Right to Lodge a Complaint
If you believe we have not addressed your request appropriately, you may contact your local data protection authority:
| Jurisdiction | Authority | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇺 EU | National DPA | List of DPAs |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) | https://ico.org.uk |
| 🇺🇸 California | California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) | https://cppa.ca.gov |
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect:
- Changes in our technology or services
- New legal requirements or regulatory guidance
- Improvements to transparency or user experience
How We Notify You
| Type of Change | Notification Method |
|---|---|
| Minor updates | Revised “Last Updated” date at the top of this page |
| Material changes | Prominent notice on our website + email notification to registered users (where feasible) |
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, our use of cookies, or your privacy rights, please contact us:
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| info@wallahi.com | |
| Website | wallahi.com/contact-us |
For security-related inquiries, please include “Security Inquiry”in your subject line.
© 2026 Wallahi.com. All rights reserved.