Privacy & Policy

GHCOOK (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is dedicated to being your trusted source for recipes, and that trust extends to the way we handle your personal information. This Privacy Policy details the types of information we collect through your use of the GHCOOK website and associated services (collectively, the “Service”), how that information is used, how it is protected, and your rights concerning your data. We operate with a commitment to transparency and adherence to international data protection standards, including principles found in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), where applicable. By accessing or using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. We encourage you to read this policy in its entirety.

1. Information Collection and Types

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our Service.

A. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) – Voluntarily Provided: This is information that you actively and knowingly provide to us, which can be used to identify or contact you.

  • Subscription Data: Your email address when you sign up for newsletters, marketing communications, or recipe alerts.
  • Account Data: When you create an account to save recipes or post comments, we collect your name, email address, and a hashed version of your password.
  • User Contributions: Any personal information contained in your comments, forum posts, submitted recipes, or correspondence with us (e.g., contact form submissions).
  • Transaction Data: If we offer paid content or merchandise in the future, we will collect payment details (though typically processed securely by a third-party vendor, not stored on our servers).

B. Non-Personally Identifiable Information (Non-PII) – Automatically Collected: This data is collected automatically when you access the Service and cannot directly identify you.

  • Log and Usage Data: Information sent by your browser, including your Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, operating system, the pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, and other clickstream data. This helps us understand which recipes are most popular.
  • Device Information: Data about the device you use, such as device type, unique device identifiers, mobile network information, and screen resolution.
  • Geolocation Data: We may infer your general geographic location (country or region) from your IP address to tailor content (e.g., showing culturally relevant recipes or regional ingredient substitutions).

2. Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies

GHCOOK utilizes cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and support advertising.

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly, such as remembering your preferred language or your cookie consent preferences.
  • Analytics/Performance Cookies: Used to gather statistics on how users navigate the site, helping us improve content structure and performance (e.g., via Google Analytics).
  • Advertising/Targeting Cookies: Used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant GHCOOK and third-party advertisements on our Service and other websites.

You have the right to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. However, this may prevent you from taking full advantage of the Service.

3. How We Use Your Information

We process your information for the following purposes and under the following legal bases:

  • To Provide the Service (Contractual Necessity): To operate, maintain, and provide the features of the website, including enabling you to save recipes, post comments, and receive our content.
  • For Communication (Legitimate Interest/Consent): To send you administrative notices, security alerts, and, where you have provided explicit consent, our marketing newsletters and promotional content.
  • For Analysis and Improvement (Legitimate Interest): To monitor and analyze usage and trends, and to customize and improve the Service’s design, content, and functionality. This includes using aggregated, anonymized data for research purposes.
  • For Advertising (Consent/Legitimate Interest): To show you relevant advertisements, measure the effectiveness of our advertising, and track conversions.
  • For Security and Fraud Prevention (Legal Obligation/Legitimate Interest): To protect the GHCOOK platform and our users from security threats, prevent fraudulent transactions, and enforce our Terms and Conditions.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We are committed to the principle that your data is private. We do not sell or rent your PII to third parties. We may disclose your information only in the following limited scenarios:

  • With Service Providers: We share information with third-party vendors, consultants, and service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as website hosting, data analysis, email delivery, and customer service. These providers are bound by confidentiality obligations.
  • In Public Areas: Any information you post in comments or forums (e.g., your username and the content of your post) becomes public information.
  • Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or if we believe, in good faith, that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
  • Business Transfers: In connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company, your information may be transferred as part of the assets.

5. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights concerning your personal data. To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer at privacy-dpo@ghcook.com.

  • Right of Access (The Right to Know): The right to request copies of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Right to Rectification (The Right to Correct): The right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate.
  • Right to Erasure (The Right to be Forgotten): The right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • Right to Opt-Out: The right to opt-out of the “sale” or “sharing” of your personal information (as defined by CCPA/CPRA for cross-context behavioral advertising).
  • Right to Object/Restrict Processing: The right to object to or request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.

We will respond to all legitimate requests in accordance with the applicable legal timeframe

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