Cookie Policy

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, and pixels. They can be first-party (set by Hostolute) or third-party (set by a provider such as Stripe or Google).

Cookies may be session-based (deleted when you close the browser) or persistent (retained until they expire or you delete them).

2. How we use these technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Operate the Website, checkout, and customer or admin sessions
• Remember your selected display currency
• Keep checkout and forms secure, including bot and fraud prevention
• Process card payments through Stripe
• Understand traffic and improve performance where analytics tools are enabled

3. Categories of cookies

3.1 Strictly necessary

These cookies are required for the Website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set in response to your actions, such as setting privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

• hostolute_admin_session — authenticates Hostolute staff in the admin area (HTTP-only, approximately 7 days)
• Session and security cookies used by the Website, checkout, and our hosting platform
• Stripe cookies on payment pages, used to process payment, detect fraud, and remember payment-session state. Card data is handled by Stripe, not stored on our servers

3.2 Functional / preference

These remember choices you make so the Website behaves more consistently. They are not strictly required, but blocking them may reset your preferences.

• hostolute-currency — stored in your browser’s local storage to remember the currency selected in the currency switcher (AED, USD, EUR, GBP, SAR, INR, CAD, or AUD)

3.3 Security (Google reCAPTCHA)

Where Google reCAPTCHA is enabled on checkout or other forms, Google may set cookies and collect device and interaction data to distinguish humans from automated abuse. Use of reCAPTCHA is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service.

3.4 Analytics and marketing

We may use analytics or advertising cookies in the future, or on specific campaigns, to measure visits, referrals, and campaign performance. Those cookies will only be used in line with this policy and, where required by law, after you have been given a choice. We do not currently require analytics cookies for the Website to operate.

4. Third-party cookies

Third parties that may set cookies when you use Hostolute include:

• Stripe — payment processing and fraud prevention during checkout
• Google — reCAPTCHA, and Google services if you follow embedded or linked Google content
• WHMCS / billing portal — if you are redirected to a customer billing or control-panel login

Social media icons on the Website may, if you click them, take you to those platforms, which then apply their own cookies. We do not control third-party cookies.

5. Legal basis

Strictly necessary cookies are used because they are required to provide the Website and services you request. Preference, analytics, and marketing cookies (when used) rely on your consent where required, or on our legitimate interests in operating a secure, functional Website where consent is not required.

6. How you can control cookies

You can delete or block cookies through your browser settings. Instructions are usually available under “Help”, “Privacy”, or “Settings”. You can also clear local storage, which will reset your saved currency.

Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent login, checkout, or admin access from working. Stripe checkout may not complete if its security cookies are blocked.

Most browsers allow you to refuse third-party cookies. Mobile operating systems provide similar controls for tracking.

7. Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy when our tools or legal requirements change. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page shows the latest revision.

8. Contact

Questions about cookies can be sent to [email protected] or through our Contact Us page.