This Cookie Policy explains how Smart Mock Interview ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize you when you visit our website. Because cookies are closely connected to the personal data we process, this page also summarizes how we collect, use, store, share, and retain information—including Google user data—so that you can make informed choices about your privacy.
Google API Services Compliance
When you sign in with Google, we rely on Google API Services to authenticate your account. We only request scopes that provide the basic profile details we need to run Smart Mock Interview and we do not access content from Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, or other Google products.
Data Accessed
- Your Google Account unique identifier.
- Primary email address associated with your Google Account.
- Display name and profile photo you have configured in Google.
- Authentication tokens issued by Google so we can keep you signed in.
Data Usage
- Authenticate you securely and maintain your session across devices.
- Personalize your workspace by showing your display name, avatar, and saved interview progress.
- Send transactional communications such as account alerts, billing notices, or critical product updates.
- Detect and prevent spam, fraud, or abuse, including via Google reCAPTCHA Enterprise on forms and sign-up flows.
- Generate aggregated, non-identifying analytics to understand product performance and reliability.
Data Sharing
We do not sell or rent Google user data. Access is limited to subprocessors that help us operate the service—for example, Google Cloud/Firebase (authentication, Firestore database, and storage), Vercel (application hosting), email delivery providers, and analytics tooling. Each vendor is bound by written agreements that require equivalent or stronger privacy and security safeguards. We only disclose data when legally required or to protect the rights, safety, and security of our users and platform.
Data Storage & Protection
Google user data and the content you create (such as interview answers, transcripts, practice history, and account preferences) are stored in encrypted databases hosted in the United States. We protect data with HTTPS in transit, encryption at rest, role-based access controls, least-privilege permissions, monitoring, and regular vulnerability and access reviews. Only trained personnel with an operational need can access production systems, and all access is logged and audited.
Data Retention & Deletion
We retain Google user data for the life of your Smart Mock Interview account so that you can revisit your purchase history, saved interviews, and analytics. Backups are kept for disaster recovery for up to 30 days. You can delete your data by using the in-product account settings or by submitting a request through the contact form at smartmockinterview.com/contact or by emailing privacy@smartmockinterview.com. Once we verify ownership of the account, we delete or de-identify the associated Google user data within 30 days unless retention is required to meet legal, regulatory, fraud-prevention, or security obligations.
User Controls
You may revoke Smart Mock Interview's access to your Google Account at any time from your Google security settings. Revoking access immediately stops future data collection. You can also download your data or request deletion by contacting us, and we will provide confirmation once the request has been completed.
Other Information We Collect
Beyond Google user data, we collect information you submit directly (such as interview prompts, uploaded resumes, or messages sent via the contact form), usage data generated while you practice interviews, and diagnostics like device type and browser version that help us troubleshoot issues. These data points are processed to provide personalized practice feedback, improve product quality, and maintain the reliability of our services. We never use customer data to train external AI models.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small data files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website owners to make their websites work, or to work more efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information.
How We Use Cookies
Cookies, local storage, and similar technologies help us recognize returning users, keep sessions secure, and understand how the site performs. We combine cookie information with account data only when needed to deliver the features you request or to meet our legal obligations.
Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential authentication cookies: Required to sign in, maintain your session, enforce security settings, and route traffic. These include Firebase authentication cookies and internal session identifiers.
- Security cookies: Used by Google reCAPTCHA Enterprise to detect abusive traffic on sign-up and contact forms. reCAPTCHA collects hardware and software information (such as device and application data) to perform this protection, and usage is governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
- Performance and analytics cookies: Set by Google Analytics (via gtag.js) to measure how visitors interact with our pages, including page views, feature adoption, and referral sources. We configure analytics to use IP anonymization where available and only view aggregated reports.
- Preference cookies: Remember choices such as language, theme, or dismissed banners so that your experience is consistent across visits.
- Functional storage: Local storage entries save in-progress interview responses, practice history, or product settings so that you can resume sessions without losing work.
Managing Cookies
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can set or amend your web browser controls to accept or refuse cookies, and you can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. If you disable essential cookies, some core functionality (such as logging in or saving progress) may no longer work. Within Smart Mock Interview you can also manage certain preferences directly from your account settings.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please revisit this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us through the form at smartmockinterview.com/contact or email privacy@smartmockinterview.com.