Cookie Policy
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy (“Policy”) explains how Metta People Ltd (Thailand) (“Metta People,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on MettaUniverse (www.mettapeople.com) and the Metta Living Flow community application (metta-living-flow.base44.app) (together, the “Platform”).
This Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains more broadly how we collect, use, and protect your personal data. Where this Policy and the Privacy Policy overlap, both apply; where they conflict on cookie-specific matters, this Policy prevails.
By using the Platform, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this Policy, except where we are required by law to obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies — in which case such cookies are only set after you provide that consent through our cookie banner.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit it. They allow the website to recognize your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferences, login status, and how you use the site.
We also use similar technologies, including web beacons, pixel tags, local storage, and SDKs within the Metta Living Flow application. For simplicity, we refer to all of these collectively as “cookies” in this Policy.
Session vs. Persistent Cookies
- Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period (or until you delete them) and are used to remember your preferences across visits.
First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies
- First-party cookies are set directly by Metta People.
- Third-party cookies are set by services we use to operate the Platform, such as analytics or payment providers (see Section 5).
3. Types of Cookies We Use
| Category | Purpose | Can Be Disabled? |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Required for core functionality: account login, security, session management, shopping cart/booking flow, fraud prevention. | No — essential to Platform operation. |
| Functional | Remember your preferences (e.g., language, currency, saved searches) to improve your experience. | Yes, via cookie settings. |
| Analytics / Performance | Help us understand how visitors use the Platform (pages visited, time spent, errors encountered) so we can improve it. | Yes, via cookie settings. |
| Payment & Fraud Prevention | Used by our payment processor (Stripe) to process transactions securely and detect fraudulent activity. | No — essential to completing a booking or purchase. |
4. Cookies Used on Our Platform
The table below sets out the specific cookies currently used on the Platform. This list is reviewed periodically and may be updated as our Platform evolves.
| Cookie / Technology | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session & auth tokens | Metta People (Sharetribe Flex) | Keeps you logged in and secures your session. | Session / up to 30 days |
| Consent preferences | Metta People | Remembers your cookie consent choices. | 12 months |
| _ga, _gid, and related | Google Analytics | Collects anonymized statistics on Platform usage to help us improve the experience. | Up to 24 months |
| __stripe_mid, __stripe_sid | Stripe | Fraud prevention and secure processing of payments and payouts. | Up to 12 months |
| App preference storage | Metta Living Flow (Base44) | Remembers in-app settings and preferences within the community application. | Duration of app use |
We do not use cookies for third-party advertising or ad targeting. We do not sell data collected via cookies to any third party.
5. Third-Party Cookies and Services
Some cookies are placed by third-party services that we rely on to operate the Platform. Each is governed by that provider's own privacy and cookie practices, in addition to this Policy:
- Google Analytics — website usage statistics. See Google's Privacy Policy at policies.google.com/privacy. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
- Stripe — payment processing, fraud prevention, and (where applicable) identity verification. See Stripe's Privacy Policy at stripe.com/privacy.
- Sharetribe — our core marketplace infrastructure provider, which may set technical cookies necessary for the marketplace to function.
- Base44 — hosting provider for the Metta Living Flow community application.
We do not control these third parties' cookies directly and encourage you to review their respective policies for further detail.
6. How We Obtain Your Consent
When you first visit the Platform, you will see a cookie consent banner offering the choice to “Accept All” or “Reject All” non-essential cookies, with equal prominence given to both options, consistent with PDPA and GDPR requirements.
Cookie Consent Banner (as displayed on the Platform):
“We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze usage. By continuing, you agree to our Cookie Policy. You may manage your preferences in your browser settings.”
Strictly Necessary cookies are set regardless of your choice, as they are required for the Platform to function and do not require consent under applicable law. All other categories of cookies are only activated if you accept them.
7. How to Manage or Withdraw Consent
You can manage or withdraw your cookie consent at any time through the following methods:
- Our cookie settings panel: accessible via the “Cookie Preferences” link in the Platform footer at any time.
- Your browser settings: most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through their settings menu. Refer to your browser's help documentation for instructions (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge each provide dedicated cookie management guides).
- Mobile app settings: for the Metta Living Flow application, in-app tracking preferences can be adjusted in your device's privacy settings.
Please note that disabling certain cookies, particularly Strictly Necessary or Payment & Fraud Prevention cookies, may affect your ability to use core features of the Platform, including logging in, completing a booking, or processing a payment.
8. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) setting. Because there is currently no uniform industry standard for recognizing DNT signals, our Platform does not currently respond to DNT signals, and instead relies on the consent mechanism described in Section 6.
9. Cookies and Children
Our Platform is not directed at individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect data via cookies from children. If you believe a child has provided us with data through cookies, please contact us at info@mettapeople.com.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our cookie practices, the technologies we use, or applicable law. Material changes will be indicated by an updated “Effective Date” at the top of this Policy, and, where required by law, we will seek your renewed consent.