Welcome to the cookie policy of smathersandbranson.com. This policy will help you understand what cookies and tracking technologies we use, how we use them and what your rights are in relation to it.
Latest update: February 13, 2026
Introduction
This document informs Users about the technologies that help smathersandbranson.com to achieve the purposes described below. Such technologies allow the Owner to access and store information (for example by using a Cookie) or use resources (for example by running a script) on a User’s device as they interact with smathersandbranson.com.
For simplicity, all such technologies are defined as "Trackers" within this document – unless there is a reason to differentiate.
For example, while Cookies can be used on both web and mobile browsers, it would be inaccurate to talk about Cookies in the context of mobile apps as they are a browser-based Tracker. For this reason, within this document, the term Cookies is only used where it is specifically meant to indicate that particular type of Tracker.
Some of the purposes for which Trackers are used may also require the User's consent, depending on the applicable law. Whenever consent is given, it can be freely withdrawn at any time following the instructions provided in this document.
Smathersandbranson.com uses Trackers managed directly by the Owner (so-called “first-party” Trackers) and Trackers that enable services provided by a third-party (so-called “third-party” Trackers). Unless otherwise specified within this document, third-party providers may access the Trackers managed by them.
The validity and expiration periods of Cookies and other similar Trackers may vary depending on the lifetime set by the Owner or the relevant provider. Some of them expire upon termination of the User’s browsing session.
In addition to what’s specified in the descriptions within each of the categories below, Users may find more precise and updated information regarding lifetime specification as well as any other relevant information — such as the presence of other Trackers — in the linked privacy policies of the respective third-party providers or by contacting the Owner.
Owner and Data Controller
Smathers & Branson LLC, 1570 East Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852
Owner contact email: info@smathersandbranson.com
How smathersandbranson.com uses Trackers
Necessary
Smathersandbranson.com uses so-called “technical” Cookies and other similar Trackers to carry out activities that are strictly necessary for the operation or delivery of the Service.
Trackers managed by third parties
Shopify
Company: Shopify Inc.
Place of processing: Canada
Personal Data processed: device information +2
Shopify is a platform provided by Shopify Inc. that allows the Owner to build, run and host an e-commerce website.
This service may place Trackers on the User’s device. For the most up-to-date and comprehensive information, refer to the service’s official documentation.
Cloudflare is a traffic optimization and distribution service provided by Cloudflare Inc.
The way Cloudflare is integrated means that it filters all the traffic through smathersandbranson.com, i.e., communication between smathersandbranson.com and the User's browser, while also allowing analytical data from smathersandbranson.com to be collected.
Personal Data processed:
Trackers
various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service
Personal Data processed: data relating to the point of sale +3
Shop Pay is a payment management and product checkout page service provided by Shopify Inc. which allows Users to make online payments on smathersandbranson.com.
Smathersandbranson.com uses Trackers to enable basic interactions and functionalities, allowing Users to access selected features of the Service and facilitating the User's communication with the Owner.
Trackers managed by third parties
Mailing list or newsletter
Personal Data processed: email address +2
By registering on the mailing list or for the newsletter, the User’s email address will be added to the contact list of those who may receive email messages containing information of commercial or promotional nature concerning smathersandbranson.com. Your email address might also be added to this list as a result of signing up to smathersandbranson.com or after making a purchase.
Personal Data processed:
email address
Trackers
Usage Data
Measurement
Smathersandbranson.com uses Trackers to measure traffic and analyze User behavior to improve the Service.
Trackers managed by third parties
Google Analytics 4
Company: Google LLC
Place of processing: United States
Personal Data processed: number of Users +3
Google Analytics 4 is a web analysis service provided by Google LLC (“Google”). Google utilizes the Data collected to track and examine the use of smathersandbranson.com, to prepare reports on its activities and share them with other Google services.
Google may use the Data collected to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.
In Google Analytics 4, IP addresses are used at collection time and then discarded before Data is logged in any data center or server. Users can learn more by consulting Google’s official documentation.
Meta Events Manager is an analytics service provided by Meta Platforms, Inc. By integrating the Meta pixel, Meta Events Manager can give the Owner insights into the traffic and interactions on smathersandbranson.com.
Microsoft Clarity is a session recording and heat mapping service provided by Microsoft Corporation.
Microsoft processes or receives Personal Data via Microsoft Clarity, which in turn may be used for any purpose in accordance with the Microsoft Privacy Statement, including improving and providing Microsoft Advertising.
Smathersandbranson.com uses Trackers to deliver personalized ads or marketing content, and to measure their performance.
Trackers managed by third parties
Klaviyo
Company: Klaviyo Inc.
Place of processing: United States
Personal Data processed: email address +3
Klaviyo is an email address management and message sending service provided by Klaviyo Inc.
To take advantage of the service provided by Klaviyo, the Owner typically shares information about (purchasing) Users, such as for example contact details and shopping histories. Check the indication at “Personal Data processed“ below for an explanation of the extent of the sharing.
Meta ads conversion tracking (Meta pixel) is an analytics service provided by Meta Platforms, Inc. that connects data from the Meta Audience Network with actions performed on smathersandbranson.com. The Meta pixel tracks conversions that can be attributed to ads on Facebook, Instagram and Meta Audience Network.
Google Ads conversion tracking is an analytics service provided by Google LLC that connects data from the Google Ads advertising network with actions performed on smathersandbranson.com.
Google Ads enhanced conversions is an advertising service provided by Google LLC that allows the Owner to send hashed first-party conversion Data to Google in order to improve conversion measurements.
Similar audiences is an advertising and behavioral targeting service provided by Google LLC that uses Data from Google Ads Remarketing in order to display ads to Users with similar behavior to Users who are already on the remarketing list due to their past use of smathersandbranson.com.
On the basis of this Data, personalized ads will be shown to Users suggested by Google Ads Similar audiences.
Users who don't want to be included in Similar audiences can opt out and disable the use of advertising Trackers by going to: Google Ad Settings.
How to manage preferences and provide or withdraw consent on smathersandbranson.com
Whenever the use of Trackers is based on consent, users can provide or withdraw such consent by setting or updating their preferences via the relevant privacy choices panel available on smathersandbranson.com.
With regard to any third-party Trackers, Users can manage their preferences via the related opt-out link (where provided), by using the means indicated in the third party's privacy policy, or by contacting the third party.
How to control or delete Cookies and similar technologies via your device settings
Users may use their own browser settings to:
See what Cookies or other similar technologies have been set on the device;
Block Cookies or similar technologies;
Clear Cookies or similar technologies from the browser.
The browser settings, however, do not allow granular control of consent by category.
Users can, for example, find information about how to manage Cookies in the most commonly used browsers at the following addresses:
Users may also manage certain categories of Trackers used on mobile apps by opting out through relevant device settings such as the device advertising settings for mobile devices, or tracking settings in general (Users may open the device settings and look for the relevant setting).
How to opt out of interest-based advertising
Notwithstanding the above, Users may follow the instructions provided by YourOnlineChoices (EU and UK), the Network Advertising Initiative (US) and the Digital Advertising Alliance (US), DAAC (Canada), DDAI (Japan) or other similar services. Such initiatives allow Users to select their tracking preferences for most of the advertising tools. The Owner thus recommends that Users make use of these resources in addition to the information provided in this document.
The Digital Advertising Alliance offers an application called AppChoices that helps Users to control interest-based advertising on mobile apps.
Consequences of denying the use of Trackers
Users are free to decide whether or not to allow the use of Trackers. However, please note that Trackers help smathersandbranson.com to provide a better experience and advanced functionalities to Users (in line with the purposes outlined in this document). Therefore, if the User chooses to block the use of Trackers, the Owner may be unable to provide related features.
Definitions and legal references
Personal Data (or Data)
/ Personal Information (or Information)
Any information that directly, indirectly, or in connection with other information — including a personal identification number — allows for the identification or identifiability of a natural person.
Sensitive Personal Information
Sensitive Personal Information means any Personal Information that is not publicly available and reveals information considered sensitive according to the applicable privacy law.
Usage Data
Information collected automatically through smathersandbranson.com (or third-party services employed in smathersandbranson.com), which can include: the IP addresses or domain names of the computers utilized by the Users who use smathersandbranson.com, the URI addresses (Uniform Resource Identifier), the time of the request, the method utilized to submit the request to the server, the size of the file received in response, the numerical code indicating the status of the server's answer (successful outcome, error, etc.), the country of origin, the features of the browser and the operating system utilized by the User, the various time details per visit (e.g., the time spent on each page within the Application) and the details about the path followed within the Application with special reference to the sequence of pages visited, and other parameters about the device operating system and/or the User's IT environment.
User
The individual using smathersandbranson.com who, unless otherwise specified, coincides with the Data Subject.
Data Subject
The natural person to whom the Personal Data refers.
Data Processor (or Processor)
The natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes Personal Data on behalf of the Controller, as described in this privacy policy.
Data Controller (or Owner)
The natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of Personal Data, including the security measures concerning the operation and use of smathersandbranson.com. The Data Controller, unless otherwise specified, is the Owner of smathersandbranson.com.
smathersandbranson.com (or this Application)
The means by which the Personal Data of the User is collected and processed.
Service
The service provided by smathersandbranson.com as described in the relative terms (if available) and on this site/application.
Sale
Sale means any exchange of Personal Information by the Owner to a third party, for monetary or other valuable consideration, as defined by the applicable privacy US state law. Please note that the exchange of Personal Information with a service provider pursuant to a written contract that meets the requirements set by the applicable law, does not constitute a Sale of your Personal Information.
Sharing
Sharing means any sharing, renting, releasing, disclosing, disseminating, making available, transferring, or otherwise communicating orally, in writing, or by electronic or other means, a consumer's Personal Information by the business to a third party for cross-context behavioral advertising, whether for monetary or other valuable consideration, including transactions between a business and a third party for cross-context behavioral advertising for the benefit of a business in which no money is exchanged, as defined by the California privacy laws. Please note that the exchange of Personal Information with a service provider pursuant to a written contract that meets the requirements set by the California privacy laws, does not constitute sharing of your Personal Information.
Targeted advertising
Targeted advertising means displaying advertisements to a consumer where the advertisement is selected based on Personal Information obtained from that consumer’s activities over time and across nonaffiliated websites or online applications to predict such consumer’s preferences or interests, as defined by the applicable privacy US state law.
European Union (or EU)
Unless otherwise specified, all references made within this document to the European Union include all current member states to the European Union and the European Economic Area.
Cookie
Cookies are Trackers consisting of small sets of data stored in the User's browser.
Tracker
Tracker indicates any technology - e.g Cookies, unique identifiers, web beacons, embedded scripts, e-tags and fingerprinting - that enables the tracking of Users, for example by accessing or storing information on the User’s device.
Legal information
This policy has been prepared based on provisions of multiple legislations.
This policy relates solely to smathersandbranson.com, if not stated otherwise within this document.
