Privacy Policy

FocalEvents ("we", "us", or "our") operates focalevents.com (the "Site"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your data.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and what choices you have. By using our Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

We collect minimal data necessary to operate the Site and provide our services:

Information You Provide

• Email address: When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect the email address you voluntarily submit.
• Communication data: If you contact us directly via email, we retain the content of your message to respond to your inquiry.

Information Collected Automatically

• Usage data: Pages visited, time spent, referring URLs, and browser type. This data is anonymized and aggregated.
• IP address: Collected by our hosting provider for security and spam prevention. Not linked to your identity.
• Cookie data: Small text files stored on your device. See Section 4 for details.

Information We Do Not Collect

• We do not require account registration.
• We do not collect your name, address, phone number, or financial information.
• We do not use tracking pixels for retargeted advertising.
• We do not use browser fingerprinting or similar techniques that identify you across devices or browsing sessions.

We use the data we collect for these specific purposes:

• Newsletter delivery: To send you our monthly newsletter when you subscribe. Every email includes an unsubscribe link. You can opt out at any time.
• Site improvement: To understand which content is most read and improve our guides based on aggregate usage patterns.
• Security: To protect the Site from spam, abuse, and automated attacks.
• Legal compliance: To comply with applicable laws and respond to lawful requests.

We use a limited number of cookies for essential site functionality:

Analytics

We do not use third-party analytics tools such as Google Analytics at this time. Any usage data referenced in this policy refers to basic server-side logging that does not personally identify you.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Disabling cookies may limit some site functionality.

We use third-party services that may collect limited data when you interact with our Site:

Newsletter: FormSubmit.co

Our newsletter signup is processed through FormSubmit.co. When you subscribe, your email address is transmitted to FormSubmit.co for delivery purposes. FormSubmit.co does not use your email for marketing or share it with third parties.

Content Delivery: Becdn.net

Our images and media files are served through the Becdn.net content delivery network. Becdn.net may log requests for cached content, including IP addresses, for performance and security purposes. Becdn.net's privacy practices are governed by their own policies.

Fonts: Google Fonts

We load fonts from Google Fonts. Google may receive your IP address as part of the font request. Google's privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.

Video: YouTube

Some articles embed YouTube videos using the privacy-enhanced nocookie domain (youtube-nocookie.com). YouTube may still set cookies when you click play. YouTube's privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.

Social: Pinterest and X

Links to our Pinterest and X profiles open in a new tab. These platforms have their own privacy policies governing data collected on their sites.

Affiliate Links

Some articles on our Site contain affiliate links. Clicking an affiliate link does not collect additional personal data beyond standard usage tracking. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, the merchant you purchase from processes your transaction directly. We do not see your payment information. See our Affiliate Disclosure for full details.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We share data only in these limited circumstances:

• Service providers: FormSubmit.co processes newsletter emails on our behalf. They are bound by confidentiality obligations.
• Legal requirements: If required by law, court order, or government regulation, we may disclose your data.
• Business transfer: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, data may be transferred. We will notify you before this happens.

We retain your data only as long as necessary:

• Newsletter emails: Retained until you unsubscribe. Once you unsubscribe, your email is removed from our active list within 30 days.
• Communication data: Direct email correspondence is retained for up to 24 months, then deleted.
• Analytics data: Aggregate, anonymized data is retained for up to 24 months for trend analysis.
• Server logs: IP addresses in server logs are deleted after 30 days.

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

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Deletion: Request that we delete your personal data from our systems.
• Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the unsubscribe link in every email.
• Data portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format (where applicable).
• Withdraw consent: Withdraw any consent you previously gave for data processing.

We support the spirit of browser Do Not Track (DNT) signals. Because our Site does not use behavioral advertising, retargeting pixels, or third-party tracking for ad personalization, a DNT signal does not change your experience. We do not engage in the tracking practices that DNT is designed to prevent.

We do not use browser fingerprinting or similar techniques that identify you across devices or browsing sessions.

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know: What personal data we collect and how it is used.
• Right to delete: Request deletion of your personal data.
• Right to opt-out of sale: We do not sell your personal information to any third party. California residents do not need to submit a Do Not Sell request because we do not engage in this practice.
• Right to non-discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise these rights, email contact@focalevents.com. We will verify your identity before processing your request.

FocalEvents is the data controller for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our lawful bases for processing your data are:

• Consent (Article 6(1)(a)): For newsletter subscriptions. You can withdraw consent at any time by unsubscribing.
• Legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f)): For basic site security, spam prevention, and aggregate usage analytics that do not identify you personally.

If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, your data may be processed in the United States. We rely on standard contractual clauses or equivalent safeguards to ensure appropriate data protection when transferring data internationally.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe we have not handled your data appropriately.

In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify you without undue delay, and where feasible, within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach. We will also notify the relevant supervisory authority where required by law.

Our Site is intended for adults aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13 (COPPA) or under 16 (GDPR).

If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately at contact@focalevents.com and we will delete the data.

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our servers.
• Regular security reviews of our hosting environment.
• Access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel only.
• No storage of sensitive financial information (we do not process payments directly).

No method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to protect your data using industry-standard practices.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.
• Material changes will be highlighted for at least 30 days before taking effect.
• If you have subscribed to our newsletter, we will notify you of significant changes by email.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your data rights, or have a privacy concern, we want to hear from you.