Privacy Policy

Welcome to countryofgibraltar.com ("we", "us", or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect and use your data. This Privacy Policy explains what information we gather when you visit our website, how we use it, and the choices you have regarding your personal data.

By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our website.

We collect a limited amount of information to improve your experience and understand how visitors use our site. The types of information we may collect include:

• Analytics data: We use Google Analytics to collect anonymised information about how visitors interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent on each page, referring URLs, browser type, device type, and approximate geographic location. This data is aggregated and does not personally identify you.
• Newsletter sign-up information: If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address and, optionally, your first name. This information is stored securely and used solely for sending you updates about Gibraltar-related content.
• Cookies and similar technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, remember your preferences, and gather analytics data. See the "Cookies & Tracking" section below for full details.
• Server logs: Our hosting provider automatically collects standard server log information, including your IP address, browser type, referring/exit pages, and timestamps. This data is used for security monitoring and technical troubleshooting.

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To analyse website traffic and usage patterns so we can improve our content and user experience.
• To send newsletters and updates to subscribers who have opted in. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
• To monitor and ensure the security and integrity of our website.
• To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from authorities.
• To track affiliate referrals so we can continue to fund the creation of free, high-quality content about Gibraltar.

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function properly. These cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies (Google Analytics): Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Google Analytics uses cookies such as _ga and _gid to distinguish users and throttle request rates.
• Affiliate tracking cookies: When you click on an affiliate link (e.g., to Viator, Booking.com, or Skyscanner), the affiliate partner may set a cookie on your device to track the referral. These cookies are governed by the respective partner's privacy policy.

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the website.

We use a number of third-party services to operate and improve our website. These services may collect data as described in their own privacy policies:

• Supabase: We use Supabase as our backend database for storing newsletter subscriptions and other website data. Supabase processes data in accordance with their privacy policy.
• Google Analytics: Used for website analytics and traffic measurement. Data is processed by Google in accordance with their privacy policy.
• Viator: We participate in the Viator affiliate programme and may link to tours and experiences on their platform.
• Booking.com: We participate in the Booking.com affiliate programme and may link to accommodation listings on their platform.
• Skyscanner: We participate in the Skyscanner affiliate programme and may link to flight search results on their platform.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services to understand how they handle your data.

As our website targets visitors in the European Union and the United Kingdom, we are committed to compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK GDPR. Under these regulations, you have the following rights:

• Right of access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Right to erasure: You can request that we delete your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions.
• Right to restrict processing: You can request that we limit the way we use your data.
• Right to data portability: You can request your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to object: You can object to the processing of your personal data for certain purposes, including direct marketing.
• Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the email address provided below. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

We retain your personal data only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

• Newsletter subscriptions: Your email address is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
• Analytics data: Google Analytics data is retained for 14 months, after which it is automatically deleted.
• Server logs: Standard server logs are typically retained for up to 90 days for security and troubleshooting purposes.

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will take steps to delete such information.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any updates.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data rights, or have concerns about how your data is handled, please contact us: