Privacy Policy

1. Overview & Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to all pages and content published on Cloudy Magazines (“we,” “us,” or “our”), accessible at cloudymagazines.com. It describes what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights regarding that data.

By visiting and using our website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our website.

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Data You Provide Directly

• Contact form submissions: Your name, email address, and the content of your message when you contact us.
• Comment data: If we enable comments, any name, email, website, and comment content you submit.
• Newsletter sign-up: Your email address if you subscribe to our mailing list.

2.2 Data Collected Automatically

• Log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and timestamps.
• Cookies and similar technologies: Session identifiers, preference cookies, and analytics identifiers (see Section 4).
• Device information: Screen resolution, device type, and browser version.

2.3 Data From Third Parties

We receive aggregated, anonymised data from analytics and advertising partners such as Google Analytics and Google AdSense. We do not receive personally identifiable data from these partners about individual users.

3. How We Use Your Data

We use the data we collect for the following purposes:

• To respond to inquiries and messages you send us through our contact form.
• To deliver the website content and ensure it displays correctly on your device.
• To understand how visitors use our site and improve our content (via analytics).
• To serve relevant advertisements (via Google AdSense).
• To send newsletters or updates if you have opted in, and to let you opt out at any time.
• To detect and prevent fraudulent or abusive activity.
• To comply with legal obligations.

We process your data on the lawful bases of legitimate interests (site analytics, security), consent (newsletters, non-essential cookies), and legal obligation where applicable.

4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use the following categories of cookies:

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function. These cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies: Used by Google Analytics to collect anonymous usage data so we can understand site performance. You may opt out via Google’s Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
• Advertising cookies: Used by Google AdSense to serve personalised ads. You may adjust your preferences via Google Ad Settings.
• Preference cookies: Remember user preferences such as theme settings.

Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

5. Third-Party Services

Our website integrates with the following third-party services, each with their own privacy policies:

• Google Analytics – Website analytics. Privacy Policy
• Google AdSense – Display advertising. Privacy Policy
• WordPress – Content management platform. Privacy Policy
• Hosting Provider – Server infrastructure. Data is stored on servers in accordance with their data processing terms.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies.

6. Advertising (Google AdSense)

Cloudy Magazines participates in the Google AdSense program. Google uses cookies to serve ads based on a user’s prior visits to our website and other sites on the internet.

Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to your users based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the Internet. Users may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings or by visiting www.aboutads.info/choices.

7. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share data only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers: Trusted vendors who help us operate the website (hosting, email delivery) under strict data processing agreements.
• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred as part of that transaction, with prior notice provided.
• Protection of rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Cloudy Magazines, our readers, or others.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected:

• Contact form data: retained for up to 12 months, then deleted.
• Newsletter subscriber data: retained until you unsubscribe.
• Analytics data: retained in anonymised form for up to 26 months (Google Analytics default).
• Server log data: retained for up to 90 days for security purposes.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights with respect to your personal data:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (“right to be forgotten”).
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at legal@cloudymagazines.com. We will respond within 30 days.

10. Children’s Privacy

Cloudy Magazines is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete it.

11. Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss. These measures include SSL encryption, access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no method of internet transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please reach out:

• Email: legal@cloudymagazines.com
• Contact Form: cloudymagazines.com/contact-us
• Website: cloudymagazines.com