Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Scope

This policy applies to all visitors and users of **kitchenbymelindra.com**. By accessing or using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. This document details the types of data we collect, why we collect it, and your rights concerning that data.

2. Data We Collect: Personal Information (Voluntary)

This is data you actively provide when interacting with the site’s features:

• Contact Information: Collected when you subscribe to our newsletter, submit a query via our contact form, or enter a competition. This typically includes your full name and email address.
• Comments and Feedback: Any information you submit in comment sections, including your name (or chosen nickname), email address, and the content of your comment. We also store your IP address to aid in spam detection.
• Survey Responses: Data provided when you voluntarily participate in polls or surveys related to recipes or website content.

3. Data We Collect: Automatic and Log Data

When you access our website, our servers automatically record information, known as Log Data, to ensure functionality and security:

• Usage Details: Information about the pages you view, the time spent on those pages, the links you click, and the sequence of your visit.
• Device Information: Your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, screen resolution, and language settings.
• Referring Source: The website address that led you to **kitchenbymelindra.com**.

4. Cookies, Tracking, and Analytics

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our service and hold certain information:

• Preference Cookies: Used to remember your recipe viewing preferences and settings (e.g., preferred units of measure).
• Security Cookies: Used for general security purposes, such as identifying malicious automated access.
• Analytics Cookies: We use tools like Google Analytics to measure traffic and understand how users navigate the site, allowing us to identify popular recipes and user pain points.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent.

5. Purpose for Processing Your Data

We process your collected data for the following lawful and necessary reasons:

• To **Fulfill Service Requests:** Including sending you the newsletter, responding to your comments, and providing customer support.
• For **Marketing and Promotion:** To send you updates, promotional materials, or other information that may be of interest to you, based on your opt-in consent.
• To **Monitor and Maintain** the security, integrity, and stability of the website.
• To **Improve the User Experience:** Analyzing usage patterns to enhance recipe presentation, site layout, and overall content relevance.

6. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Data

We will never sell or rent your personal information. We may disclose your data in limited circumstances:

• Third-Party Service Providers: We share necessary data with trusted companies that perform functions on our behalf (e.g., email marketing platforms, cloud hosting, payment processors for digital products, if any). These parties are bound by confidentiality obligations.
• Legal Requirements: We will disclose your information when required to do so by law, subpoena, or if we believe such action is necessary to comply with the law and the reasonable requests of law enforcement.
• Business Transfers: If **kitchenbymelindra.com** is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

7. Data Retention and Security

We are committed to maintaining the security and integrity of your data:

• Retention Period: We will retain your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy (e.g., retaining newsletter subscription data until you unsubscribe).
• Security Measures: We employ commercially acceptable physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards (e.g., SSL encryption, restricted access) to protect your Personal Data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
• Acknowledgement: While we strive for absolute security, remember that no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

8. Third-Party Links and Advertising

Our website contains links to other sites (such as affiliate links or external sources) and uses third-party advertising partners:

• External Sites: We have no control over the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites. Interaction on any linked site is subject to that site’s own terms and policies.
• Advertising Networks: We may display interest-based advertising. These third-party companies may use cookies and web beacons to track your general online activity to serve relevant ads. This data is usually aggregated and anonymous.

9. Your Data Protection Rights (GDPR & CCPA)

Depending on your jurisdiction (e.g., EU citizens under GDPR or California residents under CCPA), you may have the following rights:

• Right to Access: The right to request copies of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: The right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate.
• Right to Erasure: The right to request that we erase your personal data, subject to legal limitations.
• Right to Object: The right to object to our processing of your personal data, particularly for direct marketing purposes.
• Right to Data Portability: The right to request that we transfer the data collected to another organization or directly to you.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the email provided below.

10. Children’s Privacy and Policy Updates

This section addresses our policy towards minors and how we handle policy revisions:

• Children’s Privacy: Our Service is not intended for children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have collected Personal Data from children without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information.
• Policy Updates: We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. You are encouraged to review this policy periodically.