Version: 1.0
Effective Date: July 29, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how Cheerful Media (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “Company”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our websites:
- https://thehamster.ca (“The Hamster”)
- https://reviews.thehamster.ca (“The Hamster Reviews”)
- https://cheerfulmedia.ca (“Cheerful Media”)
(collectively, the “Websites”)
This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy. It explains what cookies are, which cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can manage them.
Cookies are small text files or pieces of code that are stored on your computer, tablet, or mobile device when you visit a website. They typically contain a unique identifier and information about your browsing activity.
When you visit one of our Websites, we (or third parties acting on our behalf) may place cookies on your device. These cookies:
- Help us remember who you are and your preferences from previous visits
- Enable core website functions (like login and shopping cart features)
- Allow us to understand how visitors interact with our content
- Help us deliver relevant advertising and marketing communications
We may also use similar technologies to cookies, including:
- Web Beacons/Pixels: Tiny images or code snippets that track page views and user interactions
- Tags: Code snippets that track user behavior and conversions
- Local Storage: Browser storage that persists data similar to cookies
- First-Party Cookies: Placed directly by us on our Websites
- Third-Party Cookies: Placed by external service providers (analytics companies, advertising networks, etc.) on our behalf or independently
These cookies are required for our Websites to function properly. They enable:
- User login and session management
- Shopping cart functionality
- Security features and fraud prevention
- Load balancing and site stability
No consent required. These cookies are necessary for our Websites to operate.
These cookies enhance your experience by:
- Remembering your preferences and settings
- Storing your login information
- Personalizing content based on your past behavior
- Enabling interactive features
Consent required. You can control these through our Cookie Consent Tool.
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our Websites by:
- Tracking page views and user flows
- Measuring feature popularity and effectiveness
- Identifying technical issues or errors
- Analyzing traffic patterns and peak usage times
Third-party providers: Google Analytics and similar services may collect this data.
Consent required. You can control these through our Cookie Consent Tool.
These cookies allow us and our advertising partners to:
- Track which ads you’ve seen
- Profile your interests and behavior
- Display relevant advertisements on our Websites and other sites you visit
- Measure advertising effectiveness and ROI
- Create audience segments for targeted campaigns
Common providers: Facebook Pixel, Google Ads, display advertising networks
Consent required. You can control these through our Cookie Consent Tool.
- Temporary cookies that are automatically deleted when you close your browser
- Used for login sessions and temporary functionality
- Remain on your device for a specified period (days, months, or years)
- Lifespan varies depending on the cookie’s purpose
- Stay until their expiration date or until you manually delete them
No consent needed. These are required for our Websites to function. You can still block or delete them through your browser settings, though this may affect functionality.
Yes, consent is required. We will only place functional, performance, and advertising cookies on your device with your explicit permission.
When you first visit our Websites, a cookie consent pop-up appears. This tool allows you to:
- Accept All: Agree to all cookies except essential cookies (which are always active)
- Reject All: Decline non-essential cookies
- Customize: Choose which types of cookies to allow
- View This Policy: Read the full Cookie Policy before deciding
You can change your preferences at any time by:
- Accessing the cookie consent tool again on our Websites
- Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site
- Adjusting settings in your browser’s cookie controls
Most modern browsers allow you to control cookies through settings:
- Google Chrome: chrome://settings/cookies
- Mozilla Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and other site data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- Opera: Settings → Privacy & security → Cookies
Through your browser, you can:
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Allow/block cookies by website
- Delete existing cookies
- View stored cookies and their details
Note: Disabling essential cookies may prevent our Websites from functioning properly.
Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature. Our Websites currently do not respond to DNT signals, but we respect your cookie preferences as set through our Cookie Consent Tool.
We use the following third-party services that may place cookies on your device:
| Facebook Pixel | Advertising and audience measurement | https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/
| Twilio | Messaging | https://www.twilio.com/en-us/privacy
| EmbedMyReviews | Messaging datasets | https://www.embedmyreviews.com/privacy/
These third parties have their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing them to understand how they collect and use your data.
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to:
- Reflect changes in Canadian privacy laws or regulations
- Accommodate new cookies or technologies
- Improve clarity and transparency
- Respond to user feedback
We recommend checking this page regularly for updates. Material changes will be noted with the updated version number and effective date.
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
East Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada
Email: robert@cheerfulmedia.ca
Website: https://cheerfulmedia.ca
- Privacy Policy: https://cheerfulmedia.ca/privacy-policy/
- Terms of Service: https://cheerfulmedia.ca/privacy-policy/
- v1.0 – July 29, 2026 – Initial policy for thehamster.ca, reviews.thehamster.ca, and cheerfulmedia.ca