Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how AluraChoice ("we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you visit our website at alurachoice.com (the "Website"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about our data practices.

This policy applies to all visitors and users of our Website. By accessing or using our Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following personal information when you voluntarily provide it to us:

• Contact Forms: Name, email address, and message content when you submit inquiries through our contact forms
• Blog Comments: Name, email address (not publicly displayed), and comment content when you post comments on our blog articles
• Communication Records: Information contained in any communications you send to us

2.2 Non-Personal Information

We automatically collect certain non-personal information through various technologies:

• Analytics Data: Through Google Analytics, including IP addresses, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, time spent on pages, and other usage statistics
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Information stored through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies
• Device Information: Device type, screen resolution, and other technical specifications
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address (country/region level)
• Affiliate Tracking Data: Information related to affiliate link interactions through Amazon Associates program

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Content Improvement: To analyze user preferences and improve our blog content and recommendations
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries, comments, and feedback
• Website Performance: To monitor and analyze website traffic, usage patterns, and performance metrics
• Technical Maintenance: To troubleshoot technical issues and maintain website functionality
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Affiliate Program Participation: To track affiliate link performance and commission eligibility

We do not use your personal information for any purpose other than those described in this Privacy Policy without your explicit consent.

3.1 Legal Basis for Processing (EU/UK Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom (UK), we process your personal data based on one or more of the following legal bases:

• Your consent (e.g., for analytics cookies or newsletter sign-ups)
• Our legitimate interests in operating and improving the Website
• Compliance with legal obligations
• The performance of a contract with you or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract

4.1 What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our Website. They help us provide a better user experience and analyze website performance.

4.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Google Analytics Cookies: To collect anonymous usage statistics and website performance data
• Amazon Associates Cookies: To track affiliate link clicks and purchase attribution
• Functional Cookies: To remember your preferences and improve website functionality
• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser

4.3 Cookie Management

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect some website functionality. Most browsers allow you to view stored cookies, delete existing cookies, block future cookies, and set cookie preferences by website.

For Google Analytics opt-out, you can use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

If you are in the EU or UK, you may see a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept, reject, or manage cookies at any time, in compliance with GDPR requirements.

Important Notice: AluraChoice participates in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate marketing programs. This means:

• We may earn a commission when you click on affiliate links and make purchases
• Affiliate links are clearly marked or disclosed where possible
• Our recommendations are based on genuine evaluation, not solely on commission potential
• Your purchase price remains the same whether you use our affiliate links or not
• We only recommend products we believe may be of value to our readers

This affiliate relationship helps support our website operations and content creation at no additional cost to you.

6.1 Third-Party Service Providers

We may share non-personal information with trusted third-party service providers:

• Google Analytics: For website traffic analysis and performance metrics
• Amazon Associates: For affiliate program participation and commission tracking
• Technical Service Providers: For website hosting, maintenance, and security services

6.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, legal process, or to comply with legal obligations, protect our rights and property, prevent fraud or security threats, and protect the safety of our users and the public.

6.3 Data Sale Prohibition

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

6.4 Do Not Track and CCPA Notice (US Visitors)

Some browsers send a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal to websites. Our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals. However, you may opt out of certain tracking by using browser settings or the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to request disclosure of data collection practices and to request deletion of your personal data. We do not sell your personal information as defined under CCPA.

Our Website contains links to third-party websites, including Amazon product pages, social media platforms, and other external websites and resources.

These third-party websites have their own privacy policies and terms of service. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, accidental loss, malicious attacks, or data breaches.

Our security measures include SSL encryption for data transmission, secure hosting infrastructure, regular security updates and monitoring, and access controls and authentication procedures.

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

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of 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 requirements)
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
• Objection: Object to certain types of data processing
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where consent was given

To exercise these rights, contact us at contact@alurachoice.com. We will respond to valid requests within a reasonable timeframe as required by applicable law.

If you are located in the EEA, UK, or California and are not satisfied with our response, you may contact your local data protection authority or regulator for further assistance.

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

• Contact Form Data: Retained only as long as necessary to respond to inquiries or as required by law
• Comment Data: Retained for the duration of blog publication unless deletion is requested
• Analytics Data: Retained for up to 14 months (or the period set by Google Analytics settings), after which it is automatically deleted or anonymized
• Communication Records: Retained for up to 12 months for customer service purposes or until the inquiry is resolved

We periodically review and delete or anonymize data that is no longer needed.

Our Website is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify users through a prominent notice on our Website
• Continue to honor the privacy preferences indicated under any previous version of this policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.