Privacy Policy

Effective date: August 27, 2025
Website:https://myrecipecritic.com/ (“Site”)
Owner/Controller: My Recipe Critic (“we,” “us,” or “our”)

We value your trust. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, the choices you have, and the rights that may apply to you under applicable privacy laws. If you have questions, contact us at [p] or through our Contact page.

1) Scope

This policy covers information collected when you visit the Site, read articles, leave comments, subscribe to emails, click affiliate links, view ads, or interact with our social media. It also covers data gathered by cookies and similar technologies placed by us and our service providers.

This policy does not cover third-party websites we link to (including advertisers, affiliate partners, or social media platforms). Review their policies before sharing information with them.

2) Information We Collect

A. Information you provide directly

• Comments & forms: Name, email address, website (optional), comment content.

• Newsletter sign-up: Email address and your marketing preferences.

• Contact & requests: Name, email, message content, and any files you choose to upload.

• Giveaways/surveys (if offered): Contact details and responses.

B. Information collected automatically

• Device/usage data: IP address, approximate location (based on IP), browser type, operating system, referring/exit pages, timestamps, pages viewed, and actions on the Site.

• Cookies & similar tech: See “Cookies & Tracking” below.

C. Information from partners

• Analytics & advertising partners may provide aggregated or pseudonymous insights (e.g., pageview counts, ad performance, interest categories).

• Affiliate networks may notify us that a purchase occurred after you clicked a partner link (we do not receive your full payment details).

We do not knowingly collect sensitive personal data (e.g., health, precise geolocation, financial account numbers). Please do not submit such information to us.

3) How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

• Operate and improve the Site (content performance, layout, troubleshooting).

• Publish content and manage features like comments and search.

• Send emails you request (newsletters, updates) and manage your preferences.

• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries.

• Personalize some content and recommendations.

• Measure performance through analytics (e.g., which pages are useful).

• Deliver and measure advertising, including interest-based ads where allowed by law and your choices.

• Prevent fraud and secure the Site (detect abuse, enforce terms).

• Comply with legal obligations and defend our rights.

We process personal information where we have a legal basis (e.g., consent, legitimate interests, contract performance, legal obligations). The exact basis may vary by jurisdiction.

4) Cookies & Tracking Technologies

A. What they are

Cookies, pixels, and similar technologies store or access information on your device to recognize your browser, remember preferences, understand how the Site is used, and deliver/measure ads.

B. Types of cookies we may use

• Strictly Necessary: Required for core functionality (security, comment submission anti-spam).

• Performance/Analytics: Help us understand traffic and improve pages.

• Functionality: Remember preferences (e.g., theme, region).

• Advertising/Targeting: Tailor ads, limit repeats, and measure effectiveness.

C. Your choices

• Cookie banner/preferences: Use our banner or Cookie Settings link (if available) to manage categories (except strictly necessary).

• Browser controls: You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings.

• Ad choices: Opt out of interest-based ads via:

  • DAA (US):https://optout.aboutads.info/

  • NAI:https://optout.networkadvertising.org/

  • Google Ads Settings:https://adssettings.google.com/

  • EU/UK (Your Online Choices):https://www.youronlinechoices.eu/

Blocking cookies may impact functionality (e.g., staying signed in, remembering preferences).

5) Analytics, Advertising & Affiliate Links

Analytics

We may use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand traffic and usage. These providers use cookies/IP addresses and provide aggregated reports. To limit Google Analytics, you can use the browser add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Advertising

We may display ads served by advertising partners. Ad partners may use cookies and similar tech to show ads based on your visits to this and other sites, and to measure performance. See “Ad choices” above to opt out of interest-based advertising.

Affiliate links & recommendations

Some links on our Site are affiliate links. If you click these and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate partners may use cookies to track that a sale originated from our Site. We do not receive your full payment details.

6) How We Share Information

We share information:

• Service providers/contractors: Hosting, security, email delivery, analytics, content delivery networks, ad partners, affiliate platforms, and tools that help operate the Site (bound by contracts and confidentiality where required).

• Legal & safety: If required by law, to protect our rights, investigate fraud/security issues, or respond to lawful requests.

• Business transfers: If we undergo a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

• With your direction or consent.

We do not sell your personal information for money. Where “sale” or “sharing” is defined to include cross-context behavioral advertising under certain US state laws, we will honor applicable opt-out rights (see “Your Rights” below).

7) Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy (including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements). Retention periods vary by data type and context. When we no longer need data, we delete or de-identify it subject to technical constraints and backup limitations.

8) Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information (e.g., HTTPS, access controls). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please use strong, unique passwords where accounts are offered and notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access.

9) Children’s Privacy

This Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us at [p] and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

10) Your Rights & Choices

Your privacy rights depend on your location. Subject to applicable laws, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.

• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

• Delete personal information (subject to exceptions).

• Object to or restrict certain processing.

• Withdraw consent where we rely on consent.

• Portability of certain information.

• Opt out of targeted/interest-based advertising (see “Ad choices”).

• Opt out of the sale/sharing of personal information where defined by law.

• Appeal a decision regarding a privacy request (in some US states).

To exercise rights, email [p] or use our Contact page. We may need to verify your identity before responding. Authorized agents may submit requests where permitted by law (we may request proof of authorization and identity).

Email marketing

You can opt out of marketing emails at any time via the Unsubscribe link in our emails. We may still send non-marketing messages (e.g., service notices).

Do Not Track

Browsers may send “Do Not Track” signals. There is no consistent industry standard for responding; we currently do not respond to these signals. Some browsers and operating systems offer Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals—where legally required, we will treat a valid GPC as an opt-out of sale/sharing.

11) California & Other US State Disclosures (Summary)

If you are a resident of California or certain other US states with comprehensive privacy laws (e.g., Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah), you may have additional rights. Subject to exceptions, you can request:

• Categories of personal information collected, sources, business/commercial purposes, and categories of third parties to whom information is disclosed.

• Specific pieces of personal information we hold about you (subject to verification).

• Deletion of personal information.

• Correction of inaccuracies.

• Opt out of sale/sharing or targeted advertising where applicable.

• Appeal a request decision (where provided by law).

Categories of personal information we may have collected in the past 12 months include: identifiers (e.g., email if you provide it), internet/network activity (e.g., device data, page interactions), geolocation (approximate, from IP), and inferences (e.g., interest segments from ad partners). We do not knowingly process sensitive personal information.

We do not sell personal information for money. Where “sale” or “sharing” includes cross-context behavioral advertising, you can opt out by contacting us at [p], adjusting cookie preferences (where available), and using the industry opt-outs listed under “Ad choices.”

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights. If you make a request, we will confirm receipt, verify your identity, and respond within the time frames required by law.

12) International Visitors (EEA/UK and Others)

If you are located outside the United States, we may transfer your information to the U.S. or other countries that may not provide the same level of data protection as your home jurisdiction. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards (e.g., contractual commitments). By using the Site, you understand these transfers. You may have additional rights under your local laws; contact us at [p] to exercise them.

13) Third-Party Links & Social Features

Our content may link to third-party sites or include embedded features (e.g., social share buttons, video embeds). These services may set their own cookies and collect information according to their policies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties.

14) User-Generated Content (Comments, Reviews)

Any information you post in public areas (e.g., comments) becomes public. Avoid sharing personal information you do not wish to be public. We moderate for civility and safety, and we reserve the right to remove content that violates our community standards, terms, or applicable law.

15) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we post changes, we will update the Effective date at the top. If changes are significant, we may provide additional notice (e.g., a banner or email). Review this page regularly.

16) Contact Us

If you have questions, requests, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our handling of personal information, contact us:

Email: [p]
Contact form: Available on our Contact page

We will do our best to respond promptly and within applicable legal time frames.