What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of information that a website can store in a user's browser or device.

They may allow a website to recognize a browser, maintain an authenticated session, remember settings, or understand how certain features are used.

Cookies are not the only technologies that can store or access information on a device.

Websites may also use local storage, session storage, pixels, or similar technologies.

First-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting, such as NGC.

Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies may be set by external providers whose services are integrated into a website.

Session Cookies

Session cookies generally expire when a browser session ends, although exact behavior may vary.

Persistent Cookies

Persistent cookies remain on a device for a defined period or until deleted.

Technologies We May Use

Depending on the features enabled on the website, NGC may use the following technologies:

• HTTP Cookies: Small browser-stored values used for sessions, preferences, or other functions.
• Local Storage: Browser storage that may retain certain preferences or interface information.
• Session Storage: Browser storage used for information associated with a particular browsing session.
• Security Tokens: Values used to help protect authentication, requests, or other interactions.
• Pixels and Tags: Technologies that may measure interactions or support external services when enabled.

Not every technology described here is necessarily active on every page or for every user.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Certain cookies and similar technologies may be necessary to deliver services requested by a user or maintain the essential operation of the website.

These may support:

• Account authentication and login sessions.
• Security and fraud prevention.
• Protection against unauthorized requests.
• Navigation and core website functions.
• Remembering consent choices where a consent system is installed.
• Shopping cart and checkout functions, if used.

Depending on applicable law, strictly necessary technologies may not require the same consent mechanism as optional technologies.

Functional & Preference Cookies

Functional technologies may remember choices that improve the user experience.

Examples include:

• Preferred language or regional display settings.
• Interface or accessibility preferences.
• Optional dashboard display settings.
• Previously selected non-essential preferences.
• Other personalization features where enabled.

Some preferences may be stored without cookies, such as in browser local storage.

Where a functional technology is not strictly necessary and applicable law requires consent, it should be used only after the appropriate consent has been obtained.

Analytics & Performance Cookies

If analytics tools are enabled, they may help NGC understand website performance and how visitors interact with its services.

Information collected may include:

• Pages visited and navigation patterns.
• Approximate visit duration.
• Device and browser characteristics.
• Referral sources.
• Errors, performance events, and page loading information.
• Interactions with selected website features.

Depending on the tool and its settings, analytics data may include online identifiers or other personal data.

Analytics data should not automatically be described as anonymous merely because names are not displayed.

Where consent is legally required, optional analytics technologies should remain inactive until that consent is obtained.

Advertising & Marketing Cookies

NGC's membership concept does not depend on displaying third-party advertising within the private member experience.

However, if NGC uses marketing, referral measurement, or advertising services, related technologies may be used for purposes such as:

• Measuring campaign effectiveness.
• Understanding which campaigns bring visitors to the website.
• Measuring completed registrations or other conversions.
• Managing advertising audiences, where legally permitted.

Such technologies may involve third-party providers and may require consent under applicable law.

This section does not mean that advertising trackers are currently installed on the website.

Membership, Login & Profiles

NGC may use essential cookies or session technologies to support secure access to member and Patron accounts.

These technologies may help maintain an authenticated session and support relevant account permissions.

Depending on the platform's configuration, cookies or local storage may also support certain profile and interface functions.

Crown Members

Members may use authenticated areas to access their Living Portrait, Chapters, directory participation, events, and membership services.

Patrons

Patrons may use authenticated areas to manage sponsorship and billing information and access eligible Patron services.

Cookies used for login do not independently grant a Patron access to a Crown Member's private information.

Access permissions must be enforced by the platform's account authorization controls.

Payments & Subscription Services

NGC's sponsorship model may involve recurring subscription payments made by Patrons.

Where checkout and payment services are enabled, payment providers may use cookies or similar technologies to support:

• Secure checkout sessions.
• Fraud detection and payment security.
• Payment authorization.
• Subscription administration.
• Transaction integrity and technical reliability.

Payment-related technologies may be subject to the payment provider's own privacy and cookie policies.

The identity of the actual payment provider and the technologies it deploys should be documented once the payment integration is confirmed.

Third-Party Services & Embedded Content

NGC may integrate external services to provide website functionality, payments, events, media, security, or other services.

Depending on which services are enabled, third parties may include:

• Hosting and security providers.
• Payment processing providers.
• Video conferencing services for The Crown Encounters.
• Embedded video or media services.
• Analytics or performance monitoring providers.
• Customer support and communication services.

Some embedded third-party content may set or access cookies when loaded.

Where required by law, NGC should prevent non-essential third-party technologies from loading before the relevant consent is obtained.

Third-party services may maintain their own privacy and cookie notices.

Cookie Inventory & Duration

The precise cookies used on a website depend on its installed software, active integrations, consent settings, and the features accessed by each visitor.

The following table describes categories that may be relevant to NGC. It is not a verified inventory of individual cookies currently installed.

A cookie's expiration period may differ from the period for which associated personal information is retained on a server.

Consent & Cookie Preferences

Where applicable law requires consent for optional cookies or similar technologies, NGC should provide an appropriate consent mechanism.

A compliant consent experience may include options to:

• Accept optional cookies.
• Reject non-essential cookies.
• Choose categories of optional technologies.
• Review or change previously expressed preferences.
• Withdraw consent where applicable.

Rejecting optional cookies should not, by itself, prevent access to services that do not depend on them.

Consent should be based on an informed and meaningful choice where required by law.

If NGC implements a cookie preference center, the website should provide an accessible way to reopen that interface.

Managing Cookies in Your Browser

Most browsers provide settings for viewing, deleting, blocking, or limiting cookies.

The exact menu names may change between browser versions.

Deleting cookies may sign you out of websites and reset saved preferences.

Blocking all cookies may interfere with authentication, checkout, and certain interactive features.

Browser controls may not manage every form of local storage or server-side information.

Personal Data & Retention

Information collected through cookies or similar technologies may qualify as personal data under applicable privacy laws.

This may include IP addresses, online identifiers, account-linked session information, or browsing data that can be associated with an identifiable individual.

Retention depends on the technology, its purpose, the provider, and applicable legal requirements.

NGC should avoid retaining cookie-derived personal data longer than reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

Additional information about personal data rights and retention is available in our Privacy Policy .

International Data Processing

NGC is designed for an international audience.

Information collected through website technologies may be processed by providers operating in different countries.

Privacy and data protection requirements may differ across jurisdictions.

Where legally required, NGC should use appropriate safeguards for international transfers of personal data.

The actual locations and safeguards depend on the service providers and configurations in use.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

NGC may update this Policy to reflect changes in website functionality, technology providers, cookie practices, or legal requirements.

The effective or revision date will be updated when a revised version is published.

Where required, NGC should provide additional notice or obtain new consent before materially changing optional tracking practices.

Users are encouraged to review this Policy periodically.

Questions & Cookie Inquiries

If you have questions about cookies, tracking technologies, consent preferences, or related personal data, you may contact NGC through its official support channel.

You may also contact us regarding applicable privacy rights, including access, correction, deletion, or objection requests.

Requests will be reviewed in accordance with applicable law and relevant identity verification requirements.