This page describes our approach to privacy.
Basically, we run this travel blog as a hobby. We track and store as little user data as possible.
Directory of procedures
We do not keep a procedure directory, as we do not have any employees. We are hobby bloggers without employment contracts and without income.
In addition, we process “data only occasionally” in the sense of Article 30 of the GDPR, namely only when sending an email update when we have published a new article. And when someone voluntarily comments on a post.
Storage of emails
Subscription to the email update is done via double opt-in: all users consent to be notified of new articles. You can unsubscribe at any time. An unsubscribe link is listed in each email.
This email is sent unpersonalized for all recipients the same. We only store the email address to enable us to send the updates in the first place (“overriding interest”).
The emails are not used for any other purpose.
We use Google’s Feedburner to store the emails and send them. The open rates are measured in aggregated form, the click behaviour of individual readers is not accessible to us.
In the case of comments, we store the email for the purpose of spam protection (“overriding interest”). Emails are not published and are not used for any other purpose. They are stored in the WordPress CMS. Its hosting is located in the USA. Akismet implements spam protection. Here is their privacy policy.
For attracting a photo or logo next to the comment, the email is matched with Gravatar.com.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to gauge interest in our content.
Google Analytics uses “cookies” to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. However, since we have activated IP anonymization, your IP address will be truncated beforehand by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and shortened there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website. This enables reports on website activity and helps to optimize content according to reader interests.
You can prevent the storage of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser software. You can also prevent the collection of data generated by the cookie and related to your use of the website (including your IP address) to Google and the processing of this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.
We have configured our Analytics settings to be very defensive.
Server hosting
Our web servers are located in the U.S., possibly with Content Delivery Networks (“CDN”) in the EU and worldwide. The Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) can be found here. The Privacy Policy includes the GDPR requirements regarding Controller and Processor and Data Privacy Addendum (“DPA”). Compliance with the GDPR is documented here.
Provider and responsible person
Walter Schärer
Trottenstrasse 3
8037 Zurich
Switzerland
Provider address: walter }{ travelmemo.com
Privacy policy of travelmemo.com
This website collects personal data from users.
Types of data collected
Personal data that this website processes independently or through third parties include cookies, usage data, first name and email.
Details of each type of personal data processed are provided in the designated sections of this Privacy Policy.
The personal data may be provided voluntarily by the user (e.g. comment field) or, in the case of usage data, processed automatically when using this website.
Any use of cookies – or other tracking tools – by this website or the owners of third-party services used by this website is for the purpose of providing the service requested by the user and optimizing it over time, and any other purposes described in this document.
Users are responsible for all third-party personal data obtained, published or disclosed through this website, and confirm that they have obtained consent for the transfer of personal data of any third parties to this website.
Method and place of data processing
Processing methods
The responsible entity processes the user data in a proper manner and takes appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access and unauthorized forwarding, modification or destruction of data.
Data processing is carried out by means of computers or IT-based systems, following an organizational procedure and mode strictly aimed at the stated purposes.
In addition to the data controller, access to the data may be granted to certain categories of data controllers involved in the operation of the website (human resources management, sales, marketing, legal, and system administrators) or external parties (such as third-party providers of technical services, hosting providers, IT companies) who, if necessary, are appointed by the owner as processors.
According to current knowledge, these include:
- HostGator (hosting)
- Google Analytics (usage statistics)
- Google Fonts (fonts)
- Google Maps
- Google Feedburner (email alert)
- Google YouTube (Video Hosting)
- Automattic WordPress comment function (comments)
- Automattic Gravatar (photo or logo next to comment)
- Automattic Akismet (spam protection in comments)
- Interactions with social networks
Location
The data is processed at the place of operation of the controller and at all other places where the parties involved with the data processing are located.
Storage period
The data will be stored for as long as necessary to provide the services requested by the user.
Use of the collected data
The data about the user is collected so that the owner can provide and optimize the services. In addition, data is collected for the following purposes: Analytics, commenting function and displaying content from external platforms.
The personal data used for the listed purposes are listed in the respective sections of this document.
The services listed in this section allow the Owner to monitor and analyze traffic and track user behaviour.
Google Analytics (Google Inc.)
Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google Inc (“Google”). Google uses the data collected to track and study how this website is used, compile reports on its activities and share them with other Google services.
Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network. However, no AdWords ads are played on this website.
Personal data collected: Cookie and usage data. Gender, age, or political affiliation are not collected.
Processing Location: United States
Privacy policy
Opt-out
This type of service allows users to view and interact with content hosted on external platforms directly through this website.
The following services may also collect traffic data when users are not actively using them, i.e. interacting with their content.
Google Fonts (Google Inc.)
Google Fonts is a font visualization service provided by Google Inc. that allows this website to display corresponding content on its pages.
Personal data collected: Usage data and various types of data, as described in the privacy policy of the service.
Processing Location: United States
Privacy Policy
Google Maps Widget (Google Inc.)
Google Maps is a map visualization service provided by Google Inc. that this website uses to embed relevant content on its pages.
Personal data collected: Cookie and usage data.
Processing location: United States
Privacy policy
YouTube video widget (Google Inc.)
YouTube is a service provided by Google Inc. for visualizing video content, which this website uses to embed corresponding content on its pages.
Personal data collected: Cookie and usage data.
Processing location: United States
Privacy Policy
Comment field
The WordPress comment box allows users to voluntarily post and publish comments on the content that this website contains.
We only accept comments if a valid email address is entered. We need this for spam protection. The email will not be published and will not be used for any purpose other than spam protection and notification if a reply to the comment is posted. Those who have voluntarily registered with Gravatar.com, thereby also allow the user to put on a profile picture or logo, depending on what the user has deposited with Gravatar.com. At Gravatar, the photo or logo can be changed at any time, it will then also be updated on our blog.
Personal data collected: Valid email, IP address and a name, if desired a fantasy name.
Gravatar (Automattic Inc.)
Gravatar is an image visualization service provided by Automattic Inc. that allows this website to display relevant content alongside comments.
The commenter’s email address is sent to Gravatar even if the commenter has not registered for this service. In the latter case, a default placeholder is used for the portrait image
Personal data collected: Email and usage data.
Processing location: United States
Privacy Policy
Interaction with external social networks and platforms
These types of services allow interaction with social networks or other external platforms directly through this website.
The interaction, as well as the information collected through this website, is always subject to the privacy settings made by the users for the respective social network.
System logs and maintenance
This website and third-party services may collect files that record interactions taking place through this website (system logs) for operational and maintenance purposes, or use other personal data (e.g. IP address) for this purpose.
Backups
These types of services allow the owner to store and manage this website as backup copies on external servers managed by the service provider itself. The backup copies may include the source code and content, as well as the data that the user submits to this website.
Backup copies on Google Drive (Google Inc.).
Google Drive is a backup creation and management service provided by Google Inc.
Personal data collected: various types of data, as described above.
Processing location: United States
Privacy Policy
Traffic optimization and dissemination
This type of service allows this website to disseminate its content through servers located in different countries and optimize its performance.
The personal data processed depends on the characteristics and the way of execution of the services whose function is to filter the communications that take place through this website and the user’s browser.
Given the widespread use of this system, it is difficult to determine the locations to which content containing users’ personal data is communicated.
CloudFlare
CloudFlare is a traffic optimization and distribution service provided by Cloudfare Inc.
Due to the way CloudFlare’s features are integrated, the service filters all traffic taking place through this website, i.e., communications taking place through this website and the user’s browser, while also enabling the collection of analytical data that this website contains.
Personal Data Collected: Cookie and various types of data, as described in the Privacy Policy of the Service.
Processing location: United States
Privacy Policy
Legal notice
Notice to Users of European Countries: This privacy statement has been prepared in compliance with the requirements of Article 10 of EC Directive No. 95/46/EC and in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC, as revised by Directive 2009/136/EC, on cookies.
This privacy policy is solely about travelmemo.com, a privately run travel blog.
Status as of July 2023