Privacy Policy

Who we are

Mediterranean Cuisines ("we", "us", "our") operates the website at [PLACEHOLDER: mediterraneancuisines.com]. The site is a recipe blog covering Mediterranean cooking. The operator is [PLACEHOLDER: legal entity or individual name], with a registered address at [PLACEHOLDER: address] and jurisdiction [PLACEHOLDER: jurisdiction]. For questions, see Contact below.

What we collect

Information you give us

• Newsletter sign-up: your email address, if you subscribe via the newsletter form on the site or in the footer.
• Contact form: your name, email, and the contents of your message, if you contact us through the contact form.
• Comments: if comments are enabled, the name and email you enter with your comment, plus comment content.

Information collected automatically

• Server logs: standard server log data, such as IP address (often truncated), browser type, referring URL, and timestamp, retained by our hosting provider for security and abuse-prevention.
• Cookies & similar technologies: see the Cookies section below.
• Analytics data: aggregated, pseudonymous usage data via our analytics provider — see Analytics.

How we use information

• To operate, secure, and improve the website and its content.
• To send the newsletter you signed up for (you can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email).
• To respond to messages you send us through the contact form or by email.
• To detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, and security issues.
• To comply with legal obligations.
• Advertising: to serve and measure ads — see Google AdSense.

We do not sell your personal data.

Cookies & local storage

We use cookies and similar technologies for essential site function, analytics, advertising, and (where applicable) remembering your preferences. When you first visit, a cookie-consent banner shown by our cookie-consent plugin asks for your preferences where required by law (e.g., the EU/UK GDPR and ePrivacy Directive). You can change your choice anytime from the banner settings.

Categories of cookies we may use:

• Essential: required for the site to function (e.g., security, session, cookie-consent preference).
• Analytics: help us understand how the site is used so we can improve it.
• Advertising: set by Google and our ad partners to serve and measure ads (see below).

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings; doing so may affect site functionality.

Google AdSense & the DART cookie

This site is monetized with Google AdSense. As a third-party vendor, Google uses cookies (including the DoubleClick DART cookie) to serve ads to you 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 this site and/or other sites on the internet.
• You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.
• You may also opt out of third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting aboutads.info.
• More information about how Google uses data when you use partner sites is available in Google's privacy policy.

If we add or replace an ad network (e.g., Mediavine/Raptive in the future), we will update this section to describe that vendor's use of data.

Analytics

We use an analytics provider [PLACEHOLDER: e.g., Google Analytics 4, Plausible, Fathom] to understand aggregate site usage (which pages are read, how visitors arrive, general geographic region, device type). Depending on the provider, this may use cookies or local storage. Where the provider offers a privacy-respecting or cookieless mode, we prefer it.

If we use Google Analytics, you may install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on to prevent your data from being used by Google Analytics.

Who we share information with

We share information only as needed to operate the site and as described here:

• Service providers: hosting, email/newsletter provider, analytics, ad networks, and similar vendors, under their own privacy policies.
• For security & legal compliance: where required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the site, our users, or others.
• Business transfers: in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred; we will notify you via the site if this happens.

We do not sell your personal data.

How long we keep information

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purpose it was collected. Newsletter subscribers' data is kept until you unsubscribe. Contact-form messages are kept for as long as needed to respond and for reasonable follow-up, then deleted. Server logs are retained by our host according to its standard retention. Where we are required to keep records by law, we keep them for the legally required period.

Your rights

Depending on your jurisdiction (e.g., EU/UK GDPR, California CCPA/CPRA, other state laws), you may have rights including:

• Access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction of inaccurate data.
• Deletion of your personal data, subject to legal exceptions.
• Objection to or restriction of certain processing.
• Data portability.
• Withdrawal of consent at any time (without affecting processing already carried out).

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [PLACEHOLDER: privacy contact email]. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

Children's privacy

This site is not directed to children under the age of [PLACEHOLDER: age, typically 13 or 16], and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will change the "Last updated" date at the top. Material changes will be noted on the site. Continued use of the site after a change means you accept the updated policy.