Cookie Policy
What cookies and similar technologies we use, and how you can control them.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device to remember information about your visit. They help websites work correctly, remember your preferences, and understand how the site is used.
Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, and IndexedDB — these work like cookies but store data differently. This policy covers all such technologies used by Crearea.
2. Essential cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary for the Crearea website and web application to function. They cannot be disabled without breaking core features.
| Cookie / Storage | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| __session | Firebase authentication session token | Session |
| firebase:authUser | Keeps you signed in to your account | Until sign out |
| theme | Stores your dark/light mode preference | 1 year |
3. Analytics
We use Firebase Analytics (part of Google Firebase) to understand how users interact with the Crearea website and app. This helps us identify problems, improve features, and understand which parts of the platform are most valuable.
Firebase Analytics data is:
- Anonymised and aggregated — it does not identify you personally
- Not used for advertising or sold to third parties
- Retained for 14 months by default
Firebase Analytics uses a randomly generated device ID, not your name or email address. You can opt out of analytics data collection in your device settings (see Section 7 below).
4. Preference cookies
These cookies remember your choices and settings to provide a more personalised experience:
- Theme preference — whether you prefer dark or light mode
- Notification preferences — whether you have dismissed certain in app prompts
- Onboarding state — whether you have completed the app setup flow
These can be cleared by clearing your browser data or reinstalling the app, but doing so will reset your preferences.
$15. Third party cookiesPaystack
When you make a payment through Crearea, Paystack's payment interface may set cookies to secure the payment session and prevent fraud. These cookies are necessary to process transactions and are governed by Paystack's Privacy Policy.
Google Fonts
Our website loads fonts from Google Fonts. Google may collect technical information about your device and browser as part of this request. See Google's Privacy Policy for details.
We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, advertising pixels, or any other third party tracking technologies. We do not serve ads.
6. Mobile app storage
The Crearea mobile application (iOS and Android) does not use browser cookies. Instead, it uses:
- Expo SecureStore — encrypted on device storage for authentication tokens and sensitive data
- AsyncStorage — on device storage for app preferences and cached data
- Firebase SDK local storage — for authentication state persistence
This data stays on your device and is not sent to third parties except as required to authenticate your session with Firebase.
7. How to control cookies
Browser settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view, delete, and block cookies. Note that blocking essential cookies will prevent Crearea from working correctly.
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy
Mobile app
To clear app storage, go to your device's Settings > Apps > Crearea > Clear Data. Note this will sign you out of the app.
Firebase Analytics opt out
To opt out of Firebase Analytics on Android, visit your device Settings > Google > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalisation. On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking and disable tracking for Crearea.
8. Contact
If you have questions about our cookie practices:
Privacy contact:
Email: privacy@crearea.app
Address: Accra, Ghana
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or our practices. We will notify you of significant changes via in app notification or email.