1. What is a cookie?

1.1 Definition

A cookie (or tracker) is a small text file stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. It contains data in the form of key-value pairs (preferences, technical identifier, visit timestamp, etc.).

1.2 How It Works

With every HTTP(S) request to our server, your browser automatically sends the cookies associated with the domain you are visiting. This allows the server to “recognize” a visitor as they navigate from one page to another without requiring re-authentication.

Cookies can be read or written server-side (when processing the request) or client side (via JavaScript in the browser).

1.3 Service Life

Type	Behavior
Session Cookies	Automatically deleted when the browser is closed (RAM only)
Persistent cookies	Stored until their expiration date or until manually deleted

In accordance with the CNIL, the retention period for cookies subject to consent does not exceed 13 months from the date it is first set.

1.4 First-Party vs. Third-Party

Type	Definition	Example on This Site
First-party	Set by the domain `vtc-bordeaux-chauffeur.com`	Saving the consent selection (`vtc_consent`)
Third-party	Placed by a third-party domain via embedded resources (scripts, iframes, pixels)	Google Analytics 4 cookies, only after acceptance

1.5 Other Tracking Technologies

The consent manager does not store anything in localStorage or sessionStorage : It uses only the cookie vtc_consent. The Site does not use ad pixels or fingerprinting techniques.

2. Why do we use cookies?

2.1 Technical Operation of the Site

The public site is static and does not create user sessions or CSRF cookies. The cookie vtc_consent is used solely to retain your choice to accept or decline the audience measurement for 180 days. It is exempt from the consent requirement because it is necessary to honor that choice.

2.2 Audience Measurement

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is used to track page views and the aggregated source of visits. When each page loads, Consent Mode is initialized with analytics_storage: denied. The file gtag.js is not requested from Google, and GA4 is configured only after explicit consent is given—either during the visit or stored in vtc_consent.

2.3 Functional Third-Party Services

Google Maps and Routes API : loaded on the estimation modules or after interacting with an address field to calculate a route; these calls are separate from GA4.
WhatsApp : The button opens the WhatsApp website or app; no WhatsApp script is embedded in the page.
Stripe : No Stripe scripts are loaded by the public website. Stripe is only involved if you open the secure payment link sent with the booking confirmation.

3. Comprehensive List of Cookies

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Legal Basis : legitimate interest + ePrivacy exemption (Art. 82 of the French Data Protection Act).

Cookie	Transmitter	Purpose	Duration	Consent
`vtc_consent`	VTC Bordeaux Chauffeur (first-party)	Value `accepted` or `refused` saving the selection for GA4	180 days (about 6 months)	❌ No

3.2 Analytics Cookies — Google Analytics 4

Transmitter : Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Legal Basis : consent (Art. 6.1.a of the GDPR). Transfer Outside the EU : United States — Google LLC adheres to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. Policy : Google Privacy Policy

Cookie	Purpose	Duration	Consent
`_ga`	GA4 ID used to distinguish visitors.	13 months	✅ Yes
`_ga_58028P09D8`	A cookie associated with the Site's GA4 property, used to maintain the measurement state.	13 months	✅ Yes

Behavior observed in the code: New browser, no loading of gtag.js and no GA4 cookies; after opting out, only vtc_consent=refused is created; after approval, vtc_consent=accepted is created, then gtag.js is loaded, and GA4 can set the two cookies listed above. A subsequent refusal resets the analytics consent to denied and deletes known GA cookies.

3.3 External Payment — Stripe

Transmitter : Stripe Payments Europe Ltd, Dublin, Ireland. Legal Basis : performance of the contract (Art. 6.1.b of the GDPR). Policy : Stripe Privacy Policy

The public website vtc-bordeaux-chauffeur.com does not load Stripe and therefore does not set any Stripe cookies. If you choose to pay online, a separate Stripe link will open; the cookies strictly necessary for the security of that page are then subject to Stripe's policy.

3.4 WhatsApp

The WhatsApp button opens a window to WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp app. No cookies are set until you click the button. Once you're on the WhatsApp page, their own cookies apply in accordance with their policy: WhatsApp Privacy Policy

4. Legal Basis

4.1 Consent (Art. 6.1.a of the GDPR)

Consent is required for Google Analytics 4. In accordance with the CNIL, this consent is:

Free : No penalties for refusal
Informed : each cookie has a clear purpose
Specific : by distinct purpose
Unambiguous : clear affirmative action (no pre-checked boxes)
Revocable : withdrawing consent is as easy as giving it

Consent is obtained through our cookie banner. It remains valid for 6 months, after which you will be asked for it again.

4.2 Legitimate Interest + ePrivacy Exemption

Strictly necessary cookies are exempt from the consent requirement (Art. 82 of the French Data Protection Act).

4.3 Summary

Category	Legal Basis	Consent
Consent Options (`vtc_consent`)	Legitimate Interest + ePrivacy Exemption	❌ No
Analytics Cookies (GA4)	Consent	✅ Yes

5. How do I manage and block cookies?

5.1 Through our consent banner

When you visit the Site for the first time, a cookie management banner will appear. You can:

Accept : Allow GA4 and its analytics cookies to load;
Decline : Keep GA4 disabled and create only vtc_consent=refused.

The "Accept" and "Decline" buttons are displayed at the same level. Your selection is saved for 180 days. You can change it at any time using " Manage My Cookies " at the bottom of each page or by clicking the button below.

5.2 Through your browser settings

🌐 Google Chrome

Menu ⋮ (three dots) → Settings
Privacy and Security → Cookies and Other Website Data
Direct link: chrome://settings/cookies

🦊 Mozilla Firefox

Menu ☰ → Settings
Privacy and Security → Enhanced protection against tracking
Direct link: about:preferences#privacy

🧭 Apple Safari (macOS)

Safari → Preferences (or Settings)
Tab Privacy
Prevent Tracking Across Multiple Domains

🧭 Apple Safari (iOS / iPadOS)

Settings → Safari
Privacy and Security → Prevent tracking across multiple sites

🔷 Microsoft Edge

Menu ⋯ → Settings
Cookies and Site Permissions
Direct link: edge://settings/content/cookies

⚠️ Deleting all cookies stored by your browser may affect the Site's functionality.

5.3 Google Analytics Opt-Out

Browser add-on that disables GA on all websites:

👉 Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

6. Impact of the refusal

6.1 Deleting the preference cookie

If you delete vtc_consent in your browser, the banner will ask you to confirm your choice again the next time you visit a page. Forms and navigation will continue to work as usual.

6.2 Opting Out of Analytical Cookies (Google Analytics 4)

No impact on your browsing experience. All of the Site's features remain available. The only consequence is that your visit will not be counted in our statistics.

7. Cookies and Personal Information

7.1 Link to the Privacy Policy

Data collected via cookies may constitute personal data as defined by the GDPR (IP address, unique browser identifier, etc.). The processing of this data is governed by our Privacy Policy.

7.2 Your Rights

With regard to the data collected via cookies, you have the following rights:

Right	Reference
Access	Art. 15 GDPR
Correction	Art. 16 of the GDPR
Deletion	Art. 17 of the GDPR
Limitation	Art. 18 of the GDPR
Opposition	Art. 21 GDPR
Portability	Art. 20 GDPR
Withdrawal of Consent	Art. 7(3) of the GDPR

To exercise these rights: contact@vtc-bordeaux-chauffeur.fr (see Section 9).

7.3 Transfers Outside the EU

Google Analytics 4 may involve the transfer of data to the United States, which is governed by:

The EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (Adequacy Decision of July 10, 2023)
The Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) of the European Commission

More information: Data transfer frameworks used by Google

7.4 Retention period

GA4 cookies created by the Site's configuration expire no later than 13 months. Withdrawing consent via the banner also triggers their deletion from the browser.

8. Update

This policy may be amended to:

Reflect the addition/removal of cookies
Implement legislative changes (GDPR, CNIL, ePrivacy)
Updates to third-party services (Google or Stripe)
Corrections or improvements

In the event of a substantial change:

New consent banner on your next visit
Email notification if you are a customer (if applicable)

Update date at the top of the document. Version history available upon request.

9. Contact

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or have any complaints:

Data Controller : VTCBORDEAUX (SAS with capital of €100, registered with the Bordeaux Trade and Companies Register, SIREN 924 992 605, SIRET 924 992 605 00015) — 9 Quai des Mouettes, 33290 Parempuyre, France — VAT No. FR81 924 992 605. President: Adrien Moreno.

Medium	Contact Information
Email	contact@vtc-bordeaux-chauffeur.fr
Phone	+33 7 57 59 89 00
Form	https://www.vtc-bordeaux-chauffeur.com/en/book-private-driver-bordeaux (“Question” section)

10. Filing a Complaint with the CNIL

If, after contacting us, you feel that your rights are not being respected:

Online : CNIL online complaint form
By mail : CNIL — 3 Place de Fontenoy — TSA 80715 — 75334 Paris Cedex 07
By phone : 01 53 73 22 22

Cookie Policy drafted in accordance with the GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679), Law No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978, as amended, and the CNIL guidelines (Decision No. 2020-091 of September 17, 2020, updated in 2022).