How Aims uses cookies and tracking technologies
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Last Updated: April 27, 2026
Entity: Aims Innovations PR LLC ("Aims," "we," "us," or "our")
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Aims Innovations PR LLC uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on (a) our public website at www.aims-innovations.com (the "Website") and (b) the authenticated Aims Research Management System and associated AI agents, APIs, and supporting services (the "Platform"). The Website and the Platform serve different audiences and have very different cookie footprints, so this Policy breaks them out separately.
This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, our Terms of Service, our Acceptable Use Policy, and — for institutional clients — your executed Master Subscription Agreement and Data Processing Agreement.
2. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?
A "cookie" is a small text file placed on your device by a website or web application. Cookies allow a site to recognize your device, remember preferences, keep you signed in, secure sessions, and understand how the site is used.
In this Policy, "cookies" also refers to similar technologies that operate in a comparable way, including:
- Local storage and session storage (data stored in your browser by JavaScript)
- Pixels, web beacons, and tags (small image or script files used to record events)
- Software development kit (SDK) identifiers in mobile contexts
- Server-side session identifiers correlated to a browser session
We refer to all of these collectively as "cookies" for simplicity.
Cookie Lifespan
- Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period (e.g., 30 days, 1 year) or until you delete them.
First-Party vs. Third-Party
- First-party cookies are set by Aims directly.
- Third-party cookies are set by service providers we engage (for example, an analytics or security vendor). These providers may have their own privacy and cookie policies.
3. Cookie Categories We Use
We classify cookies into four categories. The same categories appear in both the Website and Platform sections below, but the specific cookies in each category differ substantially between the two environments.
| Category | What It Does | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Authentication, session security, load balancing, fraud prevention, and core functionality. | Yes — cannot be disabled |
| Functional | Remembers your preferences so you don't have to set them every visit. | Optional |
| Analytics / Performance | Helps us understand how the Services are used in aggregate. | Optional |
| Marketing / Advertising | Measures marketing effectiveness and delivers relevant advertising. | Optional — Website only |
4. Cookies on the Aims Website
The Website is a public, marketing- and information-oriented property. Most Website visitors are unauthenticated and may include prospective clients, journalists, applicants, partners, and members of the research community.
4.1 Strictly Necessary (Website)
Used to deliver the Website you've requested and to keep it secure.
| Cookie / Technology | Purpose | Type | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session ID | Maintains session integrity | First-party, session | Aims |
| CSRF token | Protects forms from CSRF | First-party, session | Aims |
| Bot protection | Distinguishes legitimate visitors from bots | First-party, session | Aims |
| Cookie-consent state | Records your preferences | First-party, persistent | Aims |
4.2 Functional (Website)
Used to remember your choices and improve usability.
Examples: language preference, region/timezone, recently viewed content.
4.3 Analytics and Performance (Website)
Used to measure and improve the Website. Non-essential analytics cookies require your opt-in.
4.4 Marketing and Advertising (Website)
Used to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. These cookies are only set if you opt in.
5. Cookies on the Aims Platform (RMS)
The Platform is a controlled, authenticated environment used by institutional clients to manage participant research. Because the Platform handles regulated and sensitive data, the Platform's cookie footprint is intentionally minimal, focused almost entirely on authentication, security, and core functionality.
The Platform does NOT use marketing or advertising cookies.
5.1 Strictly Necessary (Platform)
Required to authenticate you, secure your session, and deliver core functionality. These cannot be disabled while using the Platform.
Examples: authentication token, refresh token, MFA state, CSRF token, SSO state, session affinity, bot protection.
5.2 Functional (Platform)
Used to remember your in-Platform preferences and improve your workflow.
Examples: UI preferences (dark/light mode), default project selection, saved filters, timezone/locale.
5.3 Analytics and Performance (Platform)
Used in a limited, privacy-conscious way to keep the Platform reliable and to improve usability. We do not use Platform analytics for advertising.
5.4 Participant-Facing Surfaces
When research participants interact with the Platform — through portals, surveys, scheduling, or RAchel™ AI conversations — we use only strictly necessary, functional, and limited performance/error monitoring cookies. No marketing or advertising cookies are used on participant-facing surfaces.
6. Your Choices
6.1 Cookie-Consent Banner (Website)
When you first visit the Website, you will see a cookie-consent banner. You can accept all, reject all non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences. You can change your choice at any time using the Cookie Preferences link in the Website footer.
6.2 Browser Controls
Most browsers let you view, manage, and delete cookies. The relevant settings are usually in the browser's privacy or security menu. Note that blocking strictly necessary cookies will break key parts of the Services.
6.3 Platform Users
Most Platform cookies are strictly necessary and cannot be disabled. Functional and analytics-related preferences may be available in your in-Platform settings, depending on your role and your institution's configuration.
7. U.S. State Privacy Rights
Several U.S. states — including California (CCPA/CPRA), Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), Utah (UCPA), Texas, Oregon, Montana, and others — provide privacy rights that may apply to the data collected through cookies.
To opt out of "sale" or "sharing" via cookies on the Website, use the Cookie Preferences control. To exercise other rights, contact privacy@aims-innovations.com or use the request form on our website.
8. Legal Basis for Processing (EEA / UK / Switzerland)
If you access the Services from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we rely on:
- Consent for non-essential cookies on the Website
- Contract for strictly necessary cookies on the Platform
- Legitimate Interests for security and fraud prevention
- Legal Obligation where required by law
You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
9. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The "Last Updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes affecting institutional clients will be communicated through the channels described in your institutional agreement.
10. Contact
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or wish to exercise privacy rights related to cookies, please contact us:
Aims Innovations PR LLC
Suite 200, PMB 0565, San Juan, PR 00901
Privacy: privacy@aims-innovations.com
Legal: legal@aims-innovations.com
General: hello@aims-innovations.com