Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how TheNext.CEO ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website and platform, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.

This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which provides more detailed information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

By using our Platform, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree with our use of cookies, you should adjust your browser settings or refrain from using our Platform.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Cookies allow websites to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Recognize you when you return to the website
• Maintain your session and login status
• Analyze how visitors use the website
• Provide personalized content and advertisements
• Improve website functionality and user experience

Cookies can be "session cookies" (temporary and deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (stored on your device for a set period or until you delete them).

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We use various types of cookies for different purposes. The following sections describe the categories of cookies we use and their purposes:

3.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

Essential cookies are necessary for the Platform to function properly and cannot be disabled. These cookies enable core functionality such as:

• Maintaining your session during the assessment
• Remembering your progress through multi-page assessments
• Securing your account and preventing unauthorized access
• Processing payments securely
• Remembering your cookie preferences
• Ensuring website security and preventing fraud

Legal Basis: These cookies are necessary for the performance of our contract with you to provide the Platform. Without these cookies, you would not be able to use essential features of the Platform.

3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with our Platform. These cookies help us:

• Analyze website traffic, usage patterns, and user behavior
• Identify popular features and areas for improvement
• Measure the effectiveness of our content and features
• Understand how users navigate through the Platform
• Track assessment completion rates and user engagement
• Identify and fix technical issues and errors
• Optimize website performance and loading times

The information collected is typically aggregated and anonymized, meaning it does not directly identify you. We may use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) that set their own cookies.

Legal Basis: These cookies are based on our legitimate interest in understanding and improving our Platform. You can opt out of analytics cookies through your browser settings or our cookie consent banner.

3.3 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. These cookies allow the Platform to:

• Remember your preferences and settings (language, theme, display options)
• Store your assessment progress and allow you to resume later
• Provide personalized content and recommendations
• Remember your login information (if you choose "Remember Me")
• Maintain your account preferences across sessions

Legal Basis: These cookies are based on your consent or our legitimate interest in providing a personalized user experience. You can disable functional cookies, but this may limit certain features.

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

We may use marketing cookies to deliver relevant advertisements and track the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. These cookies may:

• Track your visits to our Platform and other websites
• Build a profile of your interests and preferences
• Deliver targeted advertisements based on your browsing history
• Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
• Limit the number of times you see the same advertisement

These cookies may be set by third-party advertising networks and partners. They may track your activity across different websites to build a profile of your interests.

Legal Basis: These cookies require your consent. You can opt out of marketing cookies through your browser settings or our cookie consent banner.

4. Specific Cookies We Use

The following table provides details about specific cookies we use on the Platform:

Note: Cookie names and purposes may change as we update our Platform. This table reflects our current cookie usage and will be updated periodically.

5. Third-Party Cookies

In addition to our own cookies, we may use third-party services that set their own cookies on your device. These third parties include:

5.1 Payment Processors

Stripe: We use Stripe for payment processing. Stripe may set cookies to:

• Process payments securely
• Prevent fraud and ensure transaction security
• Remember your payment preferences

For more information about Stripe's cookie practices, please visit Stripe's Privacy Policy.

5.2 Analytics Providers

Google Analytics: We may use Google Analytics to analyze website usage. Google Analytics uses cookies to:

• Distinguish unique users
• Track user sessions and interactions
• Generate usage statistics and reports

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by adjusting your cookie preferences.

For more information, please visit Google's Privacy Policy.

5.3 Email Service Providers

We may use email service providers that use cookies or tracking pixels to:

• Track email open rates and engagement
• Deliver personalized email content
• Measure email campaign effectiveness

5.4 Other Third-Party Services

We may integrate other third-party services that use cookies. These services have their own privacy policies and cookie practices. We encourage you to review their policies to understand how they use cookies.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies on our Platform:

6.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our Platform, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences by category

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by accessing the cookie settings in your account or by clearing your cookies and revisiting the Platform.

6.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Block all cookies: Prevent all websites from setting cookies
• Block third-party cookies: Allow only first-party cookies from websites you visit
• Delete existing cookies: Remove cookies that have already been set
• Set preferences for specific websites: Allow or block cookies for particular sites
• Receive notifications: Be notified when cookies are being set

Instructions for managing cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions

Important: Blocking essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of the Platform, including completing assessments or making purchases. We recommend allowing essential cookies for the Platform to function properly.

6.3 Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of certain third-party cookies using industry opt-out tools:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Opt-Out Page
• Digital Advertising Alliance: DAA Opt-Out Page

7. Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no universal standard for how DNT signals should be interpreted, and different websites may respond to DNT signals differently.

Our Platform does not currently respond to DNT browser signals. However, you can control tracking through our cookie consent banner and your browser settings as described above.

8. Local Storage and Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other similar technologies to store and retrieve information on your device, including:

• Local Storage: HTML5 local storage to store larger amounts of data on your device
• Session Storage: Temporary storage that is cleared when you close your browser
• Web Beacons/Pixel Tags: Small images embedded in emails or web pages that track when content is viewed
• Flash Cookies: Similar to cookies but stored using Adobe Flash (we do not currently use Flash cookies)

These technologies are used for similar purposes as cookies and are subject to the same privacy protections and controls described in this policy.

9. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable or block cookies, certain features of the Platform may not function properly:

• You may not be able to complete assessments or save your progress
• You may need to re-enter information repeatedly
• Payment processing may not work correctly
• Your preferences and settings may not be saved
• Some features may be unavailable or limited

We recommend allowing essential cookies to ensure the Platform functions as intended.

10. Cookies and Personal Data

Cookies may contain or be linked to personal data. When cookies contain personal data, our use of that data is governed by our Privacy Policy. We process personal data collected through cookies in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA) of Malaysia and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable.

11. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated Cookie Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending you an email notification (for significant changes)
• Displaying a prominent notice on our Platform

Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our cookie practices.

12. More Information About Cookies

For more information about cookies and how to manage them, you can visit the following resources:

• www.allaboutcookies.org - Comprehensive information about cookies
• www.youronlinechoices.com - European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance
• www.networkadvertising.org - Network Advertising Initiative

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

We will respond to your inquiries within a reasonable time frame and are committed to addressing any concerns you may have about our cookie practices.