Privacy Policy & Data Protection

1Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Email Subscriptions: When you subscribe to our newsletter or email updates, we collect your email address and subscription preferences.
• Comments and Discussions: When you post comments or participate in discussions, we collect your name (or username), email address, and the content you submit.
• Contact Forms: If you contact us through forms on our website, we collect the information you provide, including name, email, and message content.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: We collect information about how you interact with our website and app, including pages viewed, articles read, time spent, and navigation patterns.
• Device Information: We collect device type, operating system, browser type, IP address, and mobile device identifiers.
• Location Data: We may collect general location information based on your IP address to provide region-specific content.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies (detailed in Section 5).

1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Analytics Providers: We receive aggregated analytics data from Google Analytics.
• Advertising Partners: We may receive information from advertising networks about ad impressions and interactions.

2How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Content Delivery: To provide, maintain, and improve our news content and services.
• Personalization: To customize your experience and recommend relevant content based on your interests.
• Communication: To send newsletters, updates, and important notices if you've subscribed.
• Analytics: To understand how users interact with our platform and improve user experience.
• Advertising: To display relevant advertisements and measure ad performance.
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, and abuse.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
• Comment Moderation: To manage and moderate user comments and discussions.

3Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, and Switzerland, we process your personal data based on:

• Consent: When you provide explicit consent (e.g., subscribing to newsletters).
• Legitimate Interests: For analytics, security, and service improvement, where our interests don't override your rights.
• Contractual Necessity: To provide services you've requested.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.

4Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use various types of cookies and tracking technologies:

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration
Essential Cookies	Required for website functionality and security	Session/Persistent
Analytics Cookies	Google Analytics tracking for usage statistics	Up to 2 years
Advertising Cookies	Ad delivery, impression tracking, and frequency capping	Up to 1 year
Preference Cookies	Remember your settings and preferences	Up to 1 year

Managing Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from specific sites
• Block all cookies
• Delete all cookies when closing the browser

5Third-Party Services

5.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information anonymously. You can opt-out using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5.2 Advertising Networks

We work with third-party advertising networks to display ads on our platform. These networks may use cookies and tracking technologies to serve relevant advertisements. Our advertising partners include networks that comply with industry standards.

5.3 Social Media Integration

Our website may include social media sharing buttons. When you interact with these features, the respective social media platforms may collect information about your visit.

6How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With third-party vendors who provide services on our behalf (hosting, analytics, email delivery, advertising).
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
• Protection of Rights: To protect our rights, property, safety, or those of our users or the public.
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share information.

7Your Rights and Choices

7.1 General Rights

• Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations).
• Objection: Object to certain processing activities.
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured format.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

7.2 Email Communications

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or contacting us directly.

7.3 Do Not Track

Some browsers have "Do Not Track" features. Currently, there is no industry standard for responding to Do Not Track signals. We continue to monitor developments in this area.

8Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure server infrastructure and regular security updates
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Regular security assessments and monitoring
• Employee training on data protection practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Specific retention periods:

• Email Subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Comments: Indefinitely, unless you request deletion
• Analytics Data: Up to 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Cookie Data: As specified in the cookie table above
• Account Information: Until account deletion or 3 years of inactivity

10Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete such information.

11International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
• Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

12California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information.
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information).
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise your rights without discriminatory treatment.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information below. We will verify your identity before processing your request.

13Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending email notifications to subscribers (for significant changes)
• Displaying a prominent notice on our website

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14Contact Us

15Glossary of Terms

• Personal Information: Information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked with you.
• Cookies: Small text files stored on your device that help websites function and track usage.
• Processing: Any operation performed on personal data, including collection, storage, use, and deletion.
• Data Controller: The entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data (BCN Edition).
• Data Processor: Third-party services that process data on behalf of the controller.