Everything you need to know about my site, how I collect data, protect the privacy and my promise to my readers is here.
Privacy Policy
1. Who we are
This website is Almost Ginger and our website address is https://almostginger.com.
It is owned and managed by Rebecca Sharp and you can contact [email protected].
2. What personal data we collect and why we collect it
Among the types of personal data that this website collects, by itself or through third parties, there are cookies, usage data, email address, website address and name.
Complete details on each type of personal data collected are provided in the dedicated sections of this privacy policy or by specific explanation texts displayed prior to the data collection. Personal data may be freely provided by the user or, in case of usage data, collected automatically when using this website.
Unless specified otherwise, all data requested by this website is mandatory and failure to provide this data may make it impossible for this website to provide its services. In cases where this website specifically states that some data is not mandatory, users are free not to communicate this data without consequences to the availability or the functioning of the Service. Users who are uncertain about which personal data is mandatory are welcome to contact the owner.
Any use of Cookies – or other tracking tools – by this website or by the owners of third-party services used by this website serves the purpose of providing the service required by the user, in addition to any other purposes described in the present document.
Users are responsible for any third-party personal data obtained, published or shared through this website and confirm that they have the third party’s consent to provide the data to the owner.
This data is collected to allow the owner to provide its services, as well as for the following purposes: commercial affiliation, mailing list sign-up, managing contacts and sending messages, website analytics, backup saving and management, website security, interaction with external social networks and platforms, SPAM protection, RSS feed management, displaying content from external platforms, displaying advertisements and managing landing and invitation pages.
2.1 Comments
When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help SPAM detection which may be provided to the Akismet SPAM detection service.
An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service Privacy Policy (and Akismet SPAM detection service Privacy Policy) is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
2.2 Contact forms
If you use the contact forms on this site, the name, email address and message you provided will be collected by the owner via the Contact Form 7 service. The Contact Form 7 Privacy Policy is available here: https://contactform7.com/privacy-policy/. Using the default configuration, this service, in itself, does not:
- track users by stealth;
- write any user personal data to the database;
- send any data to external servers;
- use cookies.
The data submitted in the contact form is not used for any other purpose other than to communicate with the sender via the email address provided to assist them with their query. Once their query has resolved, they will no longer be contacted under any circumstances unless the sender chooses to reopen the communication. All messages sent through the contact form will be automatically redirected to the email address [email protected] so the website owner can respond to the queries. These messages are deleted from the website owners inbox after the initial query has been resolved.
The data submitted through contact forms are not used for marketing purposes.
2.3 Media
If you upload media (for example, images) to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.
2.4 Embedded content from other websites
Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
2.5 Analytics
Google Analytics (Google Inc.)
Google Analytics is a web analysis service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google utilises the data collected to track and examine the use of this website, to prepare reports on its activities and share them with other Google services. Google may use the data collected to contextualise and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.
Personal Data collected: Cookies and Usage Data.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy – Opt Out.
Privacy Shield participant.
2.6 Cookies
If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.
If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.
When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.
If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.
2.6.1 About Cookies
A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
Cookies may be either “persistent” cookies or “session” cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.
Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
2.6.2 Managing Cookies
Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies and to delete cookies. The methods for doing so vary from browser to browser, and from version to version. You can, however, obtain up-to-date information about blocking and deleting cookies via these links:
(a) https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en (Chrome);
(b) https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences (Firefox);
(c) http://www.opera.com/help/tutorials/security/cookies/ (Opera);
(d) https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies (Internet Explorer);
(e) https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac (Safari); and
(f) https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10-microsoft-edge-and-privacy (Edge).
Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites. If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website.
3. Who we share your data with
3.1 Bluehost (The Endurance International Group, Inc.)
Bluehost provides cloud-based solutions, including web-hosting, domain name and related products and services. It is part of The Endurance International Group, Inc. (“Endurance”) corporate family.
Personal Data collected: Cookies and Usage Data.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy
3.2 Akismet (Automattic Inc.)
Akismet is a SPAM protection service provided by Automattic Inc.
Personal Data collected: Various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy.
3.3 WP BackItUp Community Edition (Avid Software Inc.)
WP BackItUp Community Edition is a service to save and manage backups provided by Avid Software Inc.
Personal Data collected: Various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy.
3.4 Gravatar (Automattic Inc.)
Gravatar is an image visualization service provided by Automattic Inc. that allows this website to incorporate content of this kind on its pages.
Please note that if Gravatar images are used for comment forms, the commenter’s email address or parts of it may be sent to Gravatar – even if the commenter has not signed up for that service.
Personal Data collected: Email address and Usage Data.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy.
3.5 Jetpack (Automattic Inc.)
This feature only records activities of a site’s registered users, and the retention duration of activity data will depend on the site’s plan and activity type.
Data Used: To deliver this functionality and record activities around site management, the following information is captured: user email address, user role, user login, user display name, WordPress.com and local user IDs, the activity to be recorded, the WordPress.com-connected site ID of the site on which the activity takes place, the site’s Jetpack version, and the timestamp of the activity. Some activities may also include the actor’s IP address (login attempts, for example) and user agent.
Activity Tracked: Login attempts/actions, post and page update and publish actions, comment/pingback submission and management actions, plugin and theme management actions, widget updates, user management actions, and the modification of other various site settings and options. Retention duration of activity data depends on the site’s plan and activity type. See the complete list of currently-recorded activities (along with retention information).
Data Synced: Successful and failed login attempts, which will include the actor’s IP address and user agent.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy.
3.6 Wordfence Security (Defiant Inc.)
Wordfence Security is a service to protect this website from hackers and cyber-attacks provided by Defiant Inc.
Personal Data collected: Various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service.
Place of processing: United States – Privacy Policy.
3.7 Theme (Flatsome)
3.8 Display Advertisements (Mediavine Programmatic Advertising (Ver 1.1))
The Website works with Mediavine to manage third-party interest-based advertising appearing on the Website. Mediavine serves content and advertisements when you visit the Website, which may use first and third-party cookies. A cookie is a small text file which is sent to your computer or mobile device (referred to in this policy as a “device”) by the web server so that a website can remember some information about your browsing activity on the Website.
First party cookies are created by the website that you are visiting. A third-party cookie is frequently used in behavioral advertising and analytics and is created by a domain other than the website you are visiting. Third-party cookies, tags, pixels, beacons and other similar technologies (collectively, “Tags”) may be placed on the Website to monitor interaction with advertising content and to target and optimize advertising. Each internet browser has functionality so that you can block both first and third-party cookies and clear your browser’s cache. The “help” feature of the menu bar on most browsers will tell you how to stop accepting new cookies, how to receive notification of new cookies, how to disable existing cookies and how to clear your browser’s cache. For more information about cookies and how to disable them, you can consult the information at All About Cookies.
Without cookies you may not be able to take full advantage of the Website content and features. Please note that rejecting cookies does not mean that you will no longer see ads when you visit our Site. In the event you opt-out, you will still see non-personalized advertisements on the Website.
The Website collects the following data using a cookie when serving personalized ads:
- IP Address
- Operating System type
- Operating System version
- Device Type
- Language of the website
- Web browser type
- Email (in hashed form)
Mediavine Partners (companies listed below with whom Mediavine shares data) may also use this data to link to other end user information the partner has independently collected to deliver targeted advertisements. Mediavine Partners may also separately collect data about end users from other sources, such as advertising IDs or pixels, and link that data to data collected from Mediavine publishers in order to provide interest-based advertising across your online experience, including devices, browsers and apps. This data includes usage data, cookie information, device information, information about interactions between users and advertisements and websites, geolocation data, traffic data, and information about a visitor’s referral source to a particular website. Mediavine Partners may also create unique IDs to create audience segments, which are used to provide targeted advertising.
If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices to opt-in or opt-out of this data collection, please visit National Advertising Initiative opt out page. You may also visit Digital Advertising Alliance website and Network Advertising Initiative website to learn more information about interest-based advertising. You may download the AppChoices app at Digital Advertising Alliance’s AppChoices app to opt out in connection with mobile apps, or use the platform controls on your mobile device to opt out.
For specific information about Mediavine Partners, the data each collects and their data collection and privacy policies, please visit Mediavine Partners.
3.9 Affiliate Companies
3.10 Newsletter/Online Marketing Platform
4. How long we retain your data
If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognise and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue. If you leave a message through the contact form, the message and its metadata are held for as long as necessary. This is so we can resolve the initial message and further follow up queries.
For users that register on our website (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.
5. What rights you have over your data
If you have an account on this site or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
6. Where we send your data
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated SPAM detection service called Akismet. If Gravatar images are used for visitor comments, data may be captured by Gravatar. This site is hosted by Bluehost and data is monitored using Google Analytics. All information on this site is backed up by WP BackItUp Community Edition and protected by Wordfence Security. All privacy policies for these third parties are specified above.
7. Contact information
If you have any concerns over your privacy, please get in touch with our Data Protection Officer.
Owner and Data Protection Officer: Rebecca Sharp Contact: [email protected].
Terms & Conditions
1. Ethics
1.2 General
I will not falsely represent my online influence/statistics or inflate my statistics by buying false readers, followers, fans, etc.
I will not falsely claim an expertise or skill that I do not have.
My loyalty is to my readers for whom my credibility and individuality is crucial.
My standards apply not only to my own blog but furthermore, also to my “brand”, across all social media platforms.
1.3 My Content
I only write about experiences and discoveries on trips that I have actually made. I only write about my experiences subjectively and all opinions expressed are my own.
I always clearly label any advertising, advertorials, sponsorships, ambassadorships, competitions, gifted or free products received, published by me, in accordance with UK laws.
I will declare any commercial relationships or associations in accordance with UK laws.
1.4 As a Publisher
I expect to work with companies, tourism organisations, public relations and advertisers/marketers. And, I expect my readers to both understand and accept the commercial nature of that relationship.
I will protect the editorial integrity of my content. Always. I will seek to agree on clear objectives with commercial partners and make clear any limits of cooperation e.g. subjects I will not write about or promote.
My goal is to ensure that my influence and services are adequately rewarded.
1.5 On Travel, Events, and Support
I view press trips/blog trips/familiarisation trips/events, group or solo trips as an important and effective way to gather content and research destinations. They are not “perks” but a necessary part of the job.
I will not let my editorial independence be compromised because a trip or event is hosted, comped or I have been invited.
However…
I will seek to clarify in advance the expectations on both sides. If discrepancies, complications or negative experiences occur in the course of a trip, I undertake to consult first with the host to clarify. And, if possible, resolve the situation.
In exceptional circumstances, if the situation cannot be resolved, I reserve the right not to write about the venue/trip/experience just as I reserve the right to write about the venue/trip/experience. I will inform the host of the reasons why.
2. Legal
Access to this website cannot be guaranteed. It may be suspended temporarily, indefinitely or permanently and without warning. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented on this website, Almost Ginger cannot accept responsibility for errors.
Almost Ginger will not be liable for any damages arising from the use of this website. Or from any action or decision that was taken as a result of using this website and the material within. These terms are subject to UK laws.
3. Copyright
Unless stated otherwise, all content, including the design of this website, is owned by Almost Ginger. All content that is not owned by Almost Ginger has been properly credited and linked back to the source where possible.
4. External Links
This website may include links to other websites and these links are provided for your convenience. Almost Ginger has no responsibility or control over the nature, content and availability of those websites.
The inclusion of any external links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. When visiting external links from this website, please refer to the terms and conditions and privacy notice for each website you choose to visit.
This website makes some use of affiliate links. I only recommend products and services I use myself. If you purchase a product or service on an external site via an affiliate link on this website, I will receive a credit, commission or small payment. This does not increase the cost of the product or service for you. Every effort will be made to notify each post that contains affiliate links in accordance with UK laws.
5. Comments
Website visitors are welcome and encouraged to submit comments to this site situated at the bottom of every blog post.
Almost Ginger reserves the right to moderate all comments and edit or remove any content from comments which are considered inappropriate, offensive or spammy.
6. Junk E-mail/SPAM
Contact information, including email addresses obtained from this website, must not be used for unsolicited (junk) mailings. However, if you are legitimate, please feel free to e-mail [email protected] with any personal queries or messages that aren’t suited to the comments section of individual blog posts.
7. Changes to these Terms
Almost Ginger reserves the right to make changes to these Terms and Conditions at any time and changes will only be notified via this web page.
If you disagree with any of these terms, then please leave my site indefinitely and you will be welcomed back should you change your mind.
Terms and Privacy Policy last updated: 23/12/2020