Effective Date: October 15, 2024

This Privacy Policy explains how Photonia (“we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, and shares personal data when you visit https://photos.rusiczki.net (the “Site”). It also details your rights regarding this data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By accessing or using the Site, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect data to provide and improve our services. The information collected includes:

  • Information You Provide
    • Account Information: Your username, email address, and any other information you provide during account creation.
    • User Contributions: Content you post as comments or favorites on the Site.

  • Information Collected Automatically

    • Usage Data: Details such as IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, and timestamps, collected to help us improve our Site.
    • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to enhance functionality and monitor usage. You can manage cookies through your browser settings.

2. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data (For EEA Users)

Under the GDPR, we process personal data only when we have a legal basis to do so. This includes:

  • Consent: For certain types of data collection and communications, such as email marketing.
  • Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our agreement with you (e.g., maintaining your account).
  • Legal Obligation: For compliance with legal requirements.
  • Legitimate Interests: To improve the Site and ensure its security, provided that our legitimate interests do not override your rights.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

  • Operate, maintain, and improve the Site.
  • Enable user interactions, such as commenting and favoriting photos.
  • Respond to your inquiries and provide support.
  • Analyze usage trends to enhance user experience.
  • Enforce our Terms of Service and comply with legal obligations.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell personal data. We may share your data with:

  • Service Providers: Trusted partners who help us operate the Site. These parties are bound by strict data protection agreements.
  • Legal Obligations: Authorities or third parties when disclosure is required by law.
  • Business Transfers: If we undergo a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred.

5. Your Rights under the GDPR (For EEA Users)

As an EEA user, you have certain rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of Access: Request access to your personal data and details on how we use it.
  • Right to Rectification: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data in certain circumstances, also known as the “right to be forgotten.”
  • Right to Restriction of Processing: Request restriction on processing under specific conditions.
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
  • Right to Object: Object to data processing based on legitimate interests, including profiling.
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on consent for data processing, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 10. We will respond to requests within one month as required by the GDPR.

6. Data Retention

We retain your data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law. Once retention is no longer necessary, data is securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Data Security

We implement security measures to protect your information. However, no transmission method over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not intended for individuals under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we become aware of such data, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Data Transfers

The Site operates in Romania. If you access the Site from outside Romania, your data may be transferred, stored, or processed in Romania. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. The updated policy will be posted on the Site with a revised Effective Date. Continued use of the Site after changes indicates your acceptance of the revised terms.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or wish to exercise your rights under GDPR, please contact us:

Email: photonia (at) rusiczki [dot] net