GDPR Privacy Policy

GDPR Privacy Policy Effective Date: 1 May 2025

This GDPR Privacy Policy explains how ILoveRecipes.net (“we,” “our,” “us”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”). By visiting or interacting with this site, you agree to the practices described below.

1 Data Controller

Susan Bennett
Los Angeles, California 90036, USA
Email: susan@iloverecipes.net

2 Personal Data We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to operate the site and provide requested services.

Identification Data – name and email address submitted through comment forms, contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, or recipe rating widgets.
Technical Data – IP address, browser type, device information, and referring URL collected through server logs and security plug-ins.
Usage Data – pages visited, time on page, click paths, and scroll depth gathered via Google Analytics 4 in anonymized format.
Cookie Data – unique cookie identifiers that remember preferences, track session status, and support advertising opt-outs where applicable.

We do not collect sensitive personal data such as race, religious beliefs, health information, or credit-card details.

3 Legal Bases For Processing

Consent – when you sign up for the newsletter, submit a comment, or accept optional cookies.
Contractual Necessity – when you request content or services that require a reply.
Legitimate Interest – to detect fraud, secure the site, analyse traffic, and improve user experience.
Legal Obligation – to comply with accounting, tax, or law-enforcement requests.

4 How We Use Your Data

Deliver blog content, recipe updates, and email newsletters.
Moderate comments and detect spam via Akismet.
Analyse site performance and user engagement with Google Analytics 4.
Maintain security through Wordfence and other firewall tools.
Display personalised ads with Google AdSense (if enabled) after explicit consent.

We never sell or rent your data to third parties.

5 Cookies And Similar Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

Necessary Cookies – enable core functions such as page navigation and access to secure areas.
Preference Cookies – remember settings like measurement units or dark-mode preference.
Analytics Cookies – collect aggregated, anonymised statistics to help us understand site traffic.
Marketing Cookies – serve personalised ads only if you consent.

You can manage or delete cookies in your browser settings and via the cookie banner displayed on your first visit.

6 Data Retention

Comments and their metadata are retained indefinitely so follow-up comments can be recognised.
Newsletter subscriber information is stored until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
Analytics data are retained for fourteen months then automatically purged.
Server logs are kept for ninety days for security auditing.

7 International Transfers

Your data may be processed outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including in the United States where our servers and some third-party partners are located. All transfers follow GDPR-approved mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses or rely on partners certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.

You may exercise the following rights at any time:

Access – obtain confirmation of whether we hold personal data about you and receive a copy.
Rectification – correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
Erasure – request deletion of your data when it is no longer necessary or consent is withdrawn.
Restriction – limit processing under certain conditions.
Portability – receive data in a structured, machine-readable format and transmit it to another controller.
Objection – object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
Automated Decision-Making – we do not use your data for automated profiling that produces legal effects.

To exercise any right, email susan@iloverecipes.net with your request. We respond within one calendar month, extendable by two months for complex cases.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. In the EU you may contact the Data Protection Authority in your member state; in the UK, you may contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

9 Data Security

We implement SSL encryption, two-factor authentication for administrator accounts, regular vulnerability scans, and least-privilege access controls. Despite these measures, no online transmission is ever fully secure, and you share information at your own risk.

10 Children’s Privacy

ILoveRecipes.net is not directed to children under thirteen. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. Parents or guardians who believe that a minor has provided data should contact us for prompt deletion.

11 Third-Party Links

Articles may include links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. Review their policies before providing personal information.

12 Changes To This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in legal requirements or site operations. Revisions take effect once published here. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

13 Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy or data processing practices should be sent to susan@iloverecipes.net.

Kitchen high-five—thanks for trusting us with your data.