This Privacy Policy explains how Genoa Compass (“we”, “us”, “the site”) collects, uses and protects your personal data when you visit genoacompass.com. We respect your privacy and are committed to handling your data transparently and in line with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable laws.
1. Who we are (Data Controller)
The data controller responsible for your personal data is Christophe Chollet, operating Genoa Compass from Genoa, Italy. For any privacy-related question you can contact us at genoacompass@gmail.com.
2. What data we collect
- Information you give us: when you leave a comment, subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us, we collect the data you provide — typically your name, email address and message.
- Information collected automatically: when you browse the site we may collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type, device, pages visited, time on site and referring website, through cookies and similar technologies (see below).
3. Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use:
- Essential cookies: required for the site to function.
- Analytics cookies: to understand how visitors use the site (see Google Analytics below).
- Advertising cookies: to display relevant ads (see Google AdSense below).
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings and through the consent banner shown on your first visit. Blocking some cookies may affect how the site works.
4. Advertising – Google AdSense
We use Google AdSense to display advertising. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.
- Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the internet.
- You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings (myadcenter.google.com), or opt out of third-party vendor cookies at www.aboutads.info.
- For more information, see Google’s Privacy & Terms at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
5. Analytics – Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to measure and understand site traffic. Google Analytics collects information such as how often users visit, what pages they view, and what other sites they used before arriving. We use this only to improve our content. IP addresses are anonymised where this feature is available. You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on (tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout).
6. Affiliate links
Some articles contain affiliate links (for example to Booking.com, GetYourGuide and similar travel partners). If you click one and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These third parties may set their own cookies to track referrals. We only recommend things we genuinely believe are useful — see our Affiliate & Advertising Disclosure for details.
7. Newsletter
If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address (and optionally your name) to send you updates and new articles. We process this data on the basis of your consent, given when you sign up. Every email includes an unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time. [If you use a provider such as Mailchimp, MailerLite or Brevo, name it here; your data is stored on their servers under their privacy policy.]
8. Legal bases for processing (GDPR)
- Consent: for the newsletter, analytics and advertising cookies.
- Legitimate interest: for keeping the site secure and understanding aggregate usage.
- Legal obligation: where we must retain certain data to comply with the law.
9. Your rights under GDPR
If you are in the EU/EEA, you have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to the processing of your personal data, the right to data portability, and the right to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise any of these, email us at hello@genoacompass.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la protezione dei dati personali, garanteprivacy.it) or your local supervisory authority.
10. Your rights under CCPA (California residents)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request its deletion, and to opt out of any “sale” of personal information. We do not sell your personal information. To make a request, contact us at hello@genoacompass.com.
11. Data retention
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described here — for example, comment data remains while the comment is published, and newsletter data until you unsubscribe.
12. Children’s privacy
This site is not directed at children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their data. If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.
13. International data transfers
Some of our service providers (such as Google) may process data outside the EU/EEA. Where this happens, appropriate safeguards (such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses) are in place.
14. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the latest version. Significant changes will be noted on this page.
15. Contact
For any question about this Privacy Policy or your data, email genoacompass@gmail.com.