Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
At The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Family (“we”, “us”, or “our”), accessible via thehitchhikersguidetothefamily.com, we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal data. We acknowledge the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality and transparency in handling the information you share with us. We process personal information in accordance with applicable privacy legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), ensuring your rights and freedoms are fully respected.
2. Scope of Policy and Data Controller Role
This Privacy Policy applies to all personal data collected through our website (thehitchhikersguidetothefamily.com) or any related services. For GDPR purposes, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Family is the data controller responsible for determining the purposes and means of processing your personal data. If you have questions about how your data is handled, please contact us at [email protected].
3. Categories of Data Processed
We process the following categories of personal data through our website, either automatically or through voluntary user submission:
a. Usage Data:
Includes information such as browser type, IP address, referring/exit URLs, session timestamps, operating system, and interaction data relating to how users browse the site.
b. Account Data:
When you create or maintain an account, we may collect your name, email address, postal address, phone number, and other identifiers.
c. Profile Data:
Includes details on your preferences, historical purchases, behavior on the site, saved content, feedback submissions, and personal interests.
d. Communication Data:
Covers your messages to us, support or inquiry records, feedback forms, and any correspondence exchanged through email or on-site contact tools.
e. Technical Data:
Involves data collected from your device or browser configuration, such as hardware model, OS version, screen resolution, and unique device identifiers.
f. Transaction Data:
In connection with purchases or bookings, we collect payment details (processed securely by third parties), delivery information, billing history, and fulfillment records.
g. Preference Data:
Includes your consent or preferences regarding marketing communications, content personalization, and features you have opted into or declined.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
We process your personal data only when legally permitted, relying upon one or more of the following legal grounds:
– Consent: when you have explicitly agreed to the processing of your data for certain purposes (e.g., receiving newsletters).
– Contract: when processing is necessary for the performance of a contract, including purchases or service agreements.
– Legal obligations: when required under applicable laws.
– Legitimate interests: where necessary for business operations, security, analytics, or improving our services, and in ways not overridden by your rights.
5. Your Rights
As a data subject under GDPR or a consumer under CCPA, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
– Right of Access: You can request details of the personal information we hold about you.
– Right to Rectification: You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
– Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your data where legally permissible.
– Right to Restrict Processing: You may request restriction of how we process your information in certain contexts.
– Right to Data Portability: You are entitled to receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format and transmit it to another controller.
– Right to Object: Where processing is based on legitimate interests or direct marketing, you may object at any time.
– California Residents: You may also request that we do not sell your personal data.
To exercise any of your rights, please contact us at: [email protected].
6. Security Measures
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These include:
– Secure data encryption (HTTPS, SSL/TLS)
– Role-based access control, password protection
– Secure cloud hosting infrastructure with scheduled backups
– Regular staff data protection training
– Monitoring and incident response protocols
7. International Data Transfers
If and when we transfer your personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to service providers in other jurisdictions, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as the adoption of Standard Contractual Clauses or other lawful mechanisms recognized under GDPR and relevant international standards.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or to comply with applicable legal requirements. Specific retention periods include:
– Usage Data: retained for up to 12 months for analytics and security
– Account and Profile Data: retained while the account is active and for up to 6 years thereafter for record-keeping
– Transaction Data: retained for a minimum of 7 years for tax and audit compliance
– Communication Data: kept for up to 3 years from the date of interaction
– Preference Data: stored until such preferences are updated or withdrawn
9. Cookie Policy
We use cookies and similar technologies on thehitchhikersguidetothefamily.com to enhance user experience and to evaluate site performance. Categories include:
– Essential Cookies: Required for website operation and core functionalities.
– Functional Cookies: Enable personalization such as recalling preferences.
– Analytics Cookies: Used to understand traffic flows and site performance.
– Performance & Targeting Cookies: Enhance functionality and deliver relevant content or ads.
10. Cookie Management and Compliance
You have the ability to manage your cookie preferences directly on our site through our integrated consent platform, which ensures compliance with GDPR and CCPA. You may also manage cookies via your browser settings, where you can block or delete cookies at your discretion. Declining certain cookies may affect site functionality.
11. Children’s Privacy
The website and our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors without parental consent. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 13, we will delete such information promptly. If you believe we may have data from or about a child, please contact us at [email protected].
12. Policy Updates & Notifications
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal, regulatory, or operational requirements. We will post the revised version on thehitchhikersguidetothefamily.com and notify users of material updates where required. Continued use of our site following any changes constitutes acknowledgment and agreement to the updated terms.
13. Contact
For questions, concerns, or to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
Email: [email protected]
You may also reach out for further clarification about our data protection practices or to lodge a complaint with a relevant supervisory authority.
We are committed to maintaining your privacy and complying with applicable data protection laws. If you have any concern about how your data is handled, please do not hesitate to contact us.