Cookie and Tracking Technology Policy

Website: https://theaiandbeyond.it Last Updated: February 2026

1. What are Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on a user's device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when visiting a website. Other tracking technologies, such as localStorage and sessionStorage, work in a similar manner: they store data locally on the device for specific purposes.

According to the provisions of the ePrivacy Directive and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), websites must inform users clearly and transparently about the use of these technologies and obtain explicit consent before storing personal information (except for strictly necessary cookies).

2. Data Controller

Name: Leonardo Sarti Magi - "The AI and beyond di Leonardo Sarti Magi" Tax ID (P.IVA): 02754730469 Registered Office: Via Genova 9, 55049 Viareggio (LU), Italy Privacy Email: privacy@theaiandbeyond.it

If you have any questions regarding this policy or the use of cookies, please do not hesitate to contact us.

3. Types of Cookies and Tracking Technologies Used

Our website uses only strictly necessary cookies and analytical cookies, with explicit user consent where required.

3.1 Technical and Necessary Cookies (no consent required)

Technical cookies are essential for the proper functioning of the website. According to applicable law, they do not require prior consent as they are strictly necessary to provide services explicitly requested by the user.

Consent Cookie

• Name: cookie-consent
• Type: localStorage
• Duration: persistent (until user reset via "Manage Cookies" button)
• Content: user's consent preferences (e.g., {analytics: boolean, timestamp: number})
• Purpose: to store user preferences regarding analytical cookies and tracking tools
• Manager: The AI and beyond

Language Preference

• Name: preferred-locale
• Type: localStorage
• Duration: persistent (until manual browser data deletion)
• Content: language code selected by the user (it or en)
• Purpose: to store the user's language preference to display the website in the selected language
• Manager: The AI and beyond

Vercel Development Token (preview only)

• Name: __vercel_live_token
• Type: cookie
• Duration: session
• Purpose: development token for preview/staging environments (NOT present in production)
• Note: This cookie is only present in development environments and is not accessible to end users on the production website

3.2 Analytical Cookies (require explicit consent)

Analytical cookies allow the website owner to collect information about visitor behavior in order to improve user experience and optimize the website. These cookies do not directly identify the user, but store a unique identifier to track sessions and page views.

Vercel Analytics and Web Vitals

• Name: tracking variables managed by Vercel (not a cookie in the traditional sense, but an analytics technology)
• Type: beacons and localStorage
• Duration: data is processed and not permanently stored
• Purpose:
  • Collect page view metrics in a privacy-respectful way
  • Analyze Core Web Vitals and website performance (loading speed, interactivity, visual stability)
• Manager: Vercel Inc., San Francisco, USA
• Privacy Policy: https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy
• Activation: only after explicit user consent
• Compliance: Vercel Analytics is designed to be GDPR-compliant without the need for additional IP anonymization

Google Analytics 4

• Name: _ga, _ga_*
• Type: HTTP cookie
• Duration: _ga 2 years, _ga_* 2 years (from date of setting/update)
• Purpose:
  • Analyze website traffic and visitor behavior (pages visited, session duration, anonymized geographic origin)
  • Generate aggregate statistics on website usage
• Manager: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Activation: only after explicit user consent
• Compliance: IP anonymization enabled (anonymize_ip: true); cookies set with Secure and SameSite=Lax flags
• Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

4. Summary Cookie Table

5. How to Manage Cookies

Users have the right to control and manage cookies at any time using one of the following methods:

5.1 Management via the Website Banner

Our website provides a cookie consent banner at the bottom of the page. Through this banner, you can:

1. Accept All Cookies - Allows the use of all cookies (technical and analytical)
2. Reject Non-Essential Cookies - Allows only strictly necessary cookies
3. Modify Preferences Later - The "Manage Cookies" button is available in the website footer and allows you to reopen the banner to change your previous choice

When you modify preferences through the banner, your choice is stored in the cookie-consent cookie and analytical cookies are loaded or removed accordingly.

5.2 Management via Browser Settings

Users can also manage cookies through their web browser settings. Below are instructions for the most common browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome
2. At the top right, click Menu (three dots) → Settings
3. Select Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
4. Configure your preferences:
   • Block third-party cookies - blocks tracking cookies from third parties
   • Block all cookies - blocks all cookies (not recommended, may break website functionality)
5. Optionally, add exceptions for specific websites

Direct Link: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/61050

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox
2. At the top right, click the menu (three lines) → Settings
3. Select Privacy & Security
4. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data
5. Configure your preferences (Standard, Strict, Custom)

Direct Link: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop

Apple Safari (macOS)

1. Open Safari
2. Click Safari in the menu bar → Preferences
3. Select the Privacy tab
4. Configure cookie options under "Prevent cross-site tracking"

Direct Link: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-sfri11471/mac

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge
2. At the top right, click Settings (three dots) → Settings
3. Select Privacy, search, and services
4. Scroll down to Clear browsing data
5. Configure cookie options

Direct Link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge

5.3 Opt-out from Specific Analytics Services

Opt-out from Vercel Analytics

Vercel Analytics does not provide an explicit opt-out mechanism because it is designed to be privacy-preserving by default. However, you can:

• Decline the analytics cookie through our website banner
• Disable beacons in your browser if available
• Contact us to request exclusion

Opt-out from Google Analytics

Google provides a browser add-on that allows you to disable Google Analytics tracking on all websites:

• Browser add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Alternatively, simply decline analytical cookies through our website banner

5.4 Do Not Track (DNT) and Global Privacy Control (GPC)

Our website actively respects privacy signals sent by your browser. If your browser has DNT or GPC enabled, the website automatically treats you as having declined analytical cookies, without displaying the consent banner.

To enable these signals in your browser:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → Uncheck "Allow sites to check if you have payment methods saved"
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → "Send websites a 'Do Not Track' signal" (advanced setting)
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → "Prevent cross-site tracking"
• Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Turn on "Tracking prevention"

Note: If you have previously made an explicit choice through the cookie banner (accept or decline), that choice takes precedence over DNT/GPC browser signals.

6. Third-Party Cookies and Tools

Our website uses services provided by third parties for analytics and functionality. The third parties used are:

6.1 Vercel Inc.

• Service: Vercel Analytics, Web Vitals
• Website: https://vercel.com
• Privacy Policy: https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy
• Usage: Website performance analysis and user behavior tracking
• Location: San Francisco, USA
• Compliance: GDPR-compliant

6.2 Google Ireland Limited

• Service: Google Analytics 4
• Website: https://analytics.google.com
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Usage: Web traffic analysis and visitor behavior tracking
• Location: Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
• Sub-processor: Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA
• Compliance: GDPR-compliant, certified under EU-US Data Privacy Framework

Information on Data Transfers to Third Countries

Analytics services from Vercel and Google involve the transfer of data to the United States. For data transfer to third countries, the Data Controller relies on the following mechanisms:

• For Vercel: Vercel has implemented appropriate security measures in accordance with the GDPR and is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. For details, please consult their Privacy Policy.
• For Google: Google Ireland Limited transfers data to Google LLC (USA) based on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. Google has implemented technical and organizational security measures compliant with the GDPR. For details, see: https://policies.google.com/privacy/frameworks

7. Consent and Consent Management

7.1 Explicit Consent

According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive, our website requires explicit and informed consent before installing non-essential cookies.

Consent is obtained through:

1. A cookie consent banner that appears on the first page load
2. Clear information about the type of cookies and their purpose
3. The ability to accept or selectively refuse cookies

Consent is:

• Free (it is not a prerequisite for accessing website content)
• Specific (for each cookie category)
• Informed (with links to this policy)
• Revocable (the user can change their mind at any time)

7.2 Revoking Consent

Users can revoke cookie consent at any time by:

1. Clicking the "Manage Cookies" button (present in the website footer or accessible via the banner)
2. Modifying consent preferences
3. Deleting the cookie-consent and analytics cookies from their browser
4. Contacting the Data Controller at privacy@theaiandbeyond.it

Once consent is revoked, analytical cookies will be removed from the browser and no further analytical data will be collected.

7.3 Consent Storage

Consent is stored in the cookie-consent cookie with a timestamp. This allows the website to:

• Remember the user's preference in subsequent visits
• Reload analytical cookies if the user authorized them
• Request new consent if the cookie is deleted or expires

8. Regulatory Compliance

This policy is drafted in compliance with:

• Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR)
• Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive, as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC)
• Decision by the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) of June 10, 2021 - "Guidelines on cookies and other tracking technologies"
• Italian Legislative Decree of June 30, 2003, No. 196 (Personal Data Protection Code, as amended by the GDPR)
• Italian Legislative Decree of December 1, 2018, No. 145 (Implementation of the ePrivacy Directive)

Our website has been configured to:

• Require explicit consent before loading analytical cookies
• Provide complete and transparent information about cookie usage
• Allow users to manage and revoke consent at any time
• Not use profiling, marketing, or advertising cookies
• Not track users through third-party cookies (except for Vercel Analytics and Google Analytics 4, loaded only with consent)

9. Updates to This Policy

The Data Controller reserves the right to update this policy at any time, in particular:

• If new cookies or tracking tools are introduced
• If the use of existing cookies is modified
• If new regulations are introduced requiring updates
• If data processors or their privacy policies change

Updates will be communicated through:

• Publication of the updated version on the website (with "Last Updated" date)
• Request for new consent, if necessary

The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last updated.

10. User Rights

In accordance with the GDPR, users have the following rights:

• Right of Access (Art. 15 GDPR): access personal data concerning you
• Right to Rectification (Art. 16 GDPR): correct inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure (Art. 17 GDPR): request deletion of your data
• Right to Restrict Processing (Art. 18 GDPR): limit data processing
• Right to Data Portability (Art. 20 GDPR): receive your data in a structured format
• Right to Object (Art. 21 GDPR): object to data processing
• Right Not to Be Subject to Automated Decision Making (Art. 22 GDPR)

To exercise these rights, please contact:

• Email: privacy@theaiandbeyond.it
• Address: Via Genova 9, 55049 Viareggio (LU), Italy

11. Contact Information

For questions, clarifications, or to exercise your rights regarding cookies and personal data processing, you can contact:

The AI and beyond di Leonardo Sarti Magi

• Email: privacy@theaiandbeyond.it
• Website: https://theaiandbeyond.it
• Address: Via Genova 9, 55049 Viareggio (LU), Italy
• Tax ID (P.IVA): 02754730469

To report privacy violations or complaints regarding data processing, you can also contact the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante):

Garante per la protezione dei dati personali (Italian Data Protection Authority)

• Website: https://www.garanteprivacy.it
• Phone: +39 06 696771
• Address: Piazza Venezia 11, 00187 Rome, Italy

This policy is updated as of February 2026.