Information We Collect

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns, including:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type, version, and language preferences
• Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet) and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Referring website or search engine and search terms used

Information You Provide

• Favorite cafes saved to your browser (stored locally on your device only)
• Language preferences
• Any information you voluntarily provide when contacting us by email

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve our Site
• Understand how visitors use our Site to improve content and user experience
• Display relevant advertisements to support the free operation of our Site
• Detect and prevent security threats and abuse
• Comply with legal obligations

Lawful Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we process your personal data under the following lawful bases:

• Consent: For analytics cookies and personalized advertising. You may grant or withdraw consent at any time via our cookie consent banner.
• Legitimate Interest: For essential site operations, security, and fraud prevention.
• Legal Obligation: When required to comply with applicable laws.

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect and process your data. These services only activate after you consent via our cookie banner:

Google Analytics (Google LLC)

We use Google Analytics 4 to analyze website traffic and usage patterns. Google Analytics collects data such as pages visited, session duration, device type, and approximate location. This data is processed by Google LLC in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Google AdSense (Google LLC)

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our Site. Google AdSense may use cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your prior visits to our Site and other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies is governed by their Advertising Privacy Policy. You can opt out of personalized advertising at Google Ads Settings or by visiting www.aboutads.info/choices.

Amazon Associates (Amazon.com, Inc.)

Our Site participates in the Amazon Associates affiliate program. When you click on Amazon product links, Amazon may collect information about your visit and purchases in accordance with their Privacy Notice. We earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use the following types:

• Essential cookies: Required for basic site functionality such as saving your language preference and cookie consent choice. These do not require consent.
• Analytics cookies (Google Analytics): Help us understand how visitors use our Site by collecting anonymous usage statistics. Only activated with your consent.
• Advertising cookies (Google AdSense): Used to display relevant advertisements and measure ad effectiveness. Only activated with your consent.

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by clearing your browser's cookies and local storage, which will reset your consent choice and prompt the cookie banner to appear again.

Data Retention

We retain automatically collected data for the following periods:

• Google Analytics data: 14 months from the date of collection, after which it is automatically deleted
• Cookie consent records: Stored locally in your browser until you clear your browsing data
• Favorite cafes: Stored locally in your browser indefinitely until you remove them
• Contact emails: Retained for up to 12 months, then deleted

Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share data only with:

• Google LLC: For analytics and advertising services as described above
• Amazon.com, Inc.: Through affiliate links when you click product recommendations
• Legal authorities: When required by law, subpoena, or court order

Your Rights (GDPR / CCPA)

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

• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate personal data
• Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): Request deletion of your personal data
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to Object: Object to our processing of your personal data
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time by clearing your cookies

California residents (CCPA): You have the right to know what personal information we collect, request its deletion, and opt out of its sale (we do not sell personal data). You will not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@animal-cafe.com. We will respond within 30 days.

International Data Transfers

Our third-party service providers (Google and Amazon) may transfer your data outside of the EEA/UK. These transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.

Children's Privacy

Our Site is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a child, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any changes.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@animal-cafe.com
• Website: animal-cafe.com

If you are in the EEA and believe your data protection rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority.