Privacy, Disclosure and Transparency Policy

This Privacy, Disclosure and Transparency Policy governs how Minimalist Journeys Limited collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users or customers of services provided.

This policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their personally identifiable information is being used online, our relationship with affiliate partners, and their potential impact on our opinions.

Who are we?

Minimalist Journeys Limited (Company Number 6510932), a limited liability company registered in New Zealand, owns the website https://www.MinimalistJourneys.com.

Please also refer to our Terms of Use.

What is personally identifiable information?

Personally identifiable information can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact or locate a single person or identify an individual in context. Please read this privacy policy carefully to understand how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your personally identifiable information. We don’t ask you for personal information unless we truly need it. (We can’t stand services that ask you for things like your gender or income level for no apparent reason.)

We may collect personal identification information from Users or Customers in various ways, including, but not limited to, when Users subscribe to a newsletter and in connection with other activities, services, features, or resources we make available. Users and Customers may visit our website anonymously. We will collect only personal identification information from Users or Customers if they voluntarily submit it to us. Users and Customers can refuse to supply personal identification information, but doing so may prevent them from engaging in specific product or service-related activities.

When do we collect it?

We collect information from you when you register on our site, subscribe to our newsletter, respond to a survey or marketing communication, fill out a form, place an order, provide us with feedback on our products or services or use certain other site features.

What personal data do we collect?

When you

• visit our website; we collect technical data, such as cookies-related information. You can accept or decline cookies by modifying the settings on your browser.
• subscribe to our newsletter, and we collect personal data such as name, email address, and individual account preferences.
• order products or services from us, we collect additional information such as address and transactional data such as purchase information.
• order products or services through us from a thirty-party; they are transactional information that impacts our ability to earn from a completed sale.

We do not sell, trade or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information, except for the following service providers whom we use to provide our services:

• Website management: GreenGeeks (check their Privacy Policy)
• Email marketing: MailerLite – (check their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service).
• Email management: Microsoft 365
• Google (Privacy Policy).

We may release information when it is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect our or others’ rights, property or safety. Non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising or other purposes.

Google Analytics

Like most websites, this one uses Google Analytics (GA) to track user interaction. We use this data to determine the number of people using our site, better understand how they find and use our web pages, and see their journey through the website.

Although GA records data such as your geographical location, device, internet browser and operating system, none of this information personally identifies you to us. GA also records your computer’s IP address, which could be used to personally identify you, but Google does not grant us access to this. We consider Google to be a third-party data processor.

GA uses cookies, details of which can be found in Google’s developer guides. For your information, our website uses GA’s analytics.js implementation.

Disabling cookies on your internet browser will stop GA from tracking any part of your visit to pages within this website.

Learn more about Google Analytics.

WooCommerce Google Analytics Integration

To better understand our visitors’ shopping behaviour and improve our store’s performance, Minimalist Journeys uses the WooCommerce Google Analytics Integration plugin. This tool connects our WooCommerce store with Google Analytics, allowing us to gather insights on website activity, improve user experience, and refine our product offerings.

Data Collection and Usage

The WooCommerce Google Analytics Integration plugin may collect data related to:

• User behaviour: We use information such as page views, product interactions, and shopping cart activity to help us understand how visitors navigate and use our store.
• E-commerce performance: Data including completed transactions, conversion rates, and sales trends to improve the performance of our online store.
• Demographics and Interests: If enabled, Google Analytics may collect anonymised demographic data to help us better understand our audience and tailor our offerings.

This data is anonymised and does not include personally identifiable information unless users are logged in and explicitly consent to additional tracking features.

Cookies and Tracking

The plugin may set cookies on visitors’ devices to track website interactions for analytical purposes. These cookies enable us to understand visitor preferences and improve our services. You can manage or disable cookies in your browser settings; however, doing so may impact certain functionalities and the accuracy of analytics.

Third-Party Data Sharing

Data collected through this plugin is shared with Google Analytics. Minimalist Journeys uses Google Analytics to gain insights into website traffic and store performance but does not control Google’s data practices. For more details, please review Google’s Privacy Policy.

Google Tag Manager

We are constantly trying to improve the customer experience on our website by providing visitors with more personalised and targeted campaigns and offerings. To do so, we use Google Tag Manager (GTM).

GTM is a little snippet of code that helps us track user behaviour across our site and pushes the data to our Google Analytics account. The data is then perfectly organised and ready for us to assess and review for potential site improvements and remarketing campaigns.

We consider Google to be a third-party data processor.

Learn more about Google Tag Manager.

Google Maps My Maps

Minimalist Journeys may use Google Maps My Maps to embed custom maps on our website. This tool allows us to share curated travel routes, highlight specific locations, and enhance navigation for our visitors. These custom maps help us provide detailed, location-based content relevant to our audience.

Data Collection and Usage

When interacting with a Google Maps My Maps embed on our website, some information may be processed by Google, including:

• Device and usage information: Google may collect data such as your IP address, device type, and interaction with the map (for example, clicks and zoom level) to optimise map functionality.
• Location data: If enabled on your device, Google may use approximate location data to personalise map content and improve relevance.

Minimalist Journeys does not collect or store any data from users interacting with Google Maps My Maps embeds; Google manages all data processing. For more details, please refer to Google’s Privacy Policy.

Cookies and Tracking

Google Maps My Maps may set cookies on your device to store map-related preferences, such as last-viewed locations or zoom settings, for a smoother experience. Google manages these cookies and does not control Minimalist Journeys.

Third-Party Data Sharing

Google manages and processes the data collected by Google Maps My Maps. Minimalist Journeys does not share additional data with third parties and relies solely on Google’s services to display custom map content.

Advanced Ads

We use the Advanced Ads Pro plugin by Advanced Ads GmbH to help manage banner advertising on our site and provide a more relevant experience for our visitors. This tool allows us to serve, track, and manage banner ads displayed on our website.

Data Collection and Usage

Advanced Ads may collect non-personal data as part of ad delivery, which includes:

• Ad performance metrics: Tracking data like impressions, clicks, and interactions to optimise ad relevance and improve user experience.
• Browser and device data: Information like browser type, operating system, IP address, and device type to deliver ads appropriately.
• Location data: Broad location information (like country) to help serve relevant ads to visitors based on their region.

Cookies and Tracking

The Advanced Ads plugin may use cookies or similar tracking technologies to provide advertising features. These cookies do not identify individuals personally and are used to:

• Recognise repeat visitors to show relevant ads.
• Limit the number of times a visitor sees the same ad.
• Track ad performance for reporting and analytics.

You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings, and we encourage you to review your settings if you wish to manage or limit ad-related cookies.

Third-Party Integrations

Some ads displayed through Advanced Ads may link to external third-party websites or services. Minimalist Journeys is not responsible for these third-party sites’ content, privacy practices, or cookie policies. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies before providing personal information.

WooCommerce

Minimalist Journeys uses WooCommerce to manage and facilitate our online store. WooCommerce is an e-commerce platform that enables us to process orders, manage products, and provide a seamless shopping experience. Here’s how WooCommerce interacts with data on our website:

Data Collection and Usage

WooCommerce collects and stores customer data to process transactions and provide support, which may include:

• Order information: We need information such as name, billing and shipping address, email, and phone number to process and fulfil orders.
• Payment details: Payment information is processed through secure third-party payment gateways (such as Stripe or PayPal) and is not stored on our servers.
• Shopping preferences: Information such as products viewed, items added to the cart, and purchase history enhances the shopping experience and assists with order tracking.

This information is used solely to process transactions, manage customer orders, and improve store functionality.

Cookies and Tracking

WooCommerce may set cookies to enhance the user experience by remembering cart contents, login status, and user preferences. These cookies enable smooth checkout and browsing but do not collect personally identifiable information outside of what is necessary for shopping functionality.

Third-Party Data Sharing

While Minimalist Journeys does not share your data with third parties for advertising purposes, WooCommerce may interact with third-party services integrated into our store, including payment processors and shipping providers, to complete transactions and deliveries. These providers have their own privacy policies governing their use of data.

Third-Party Email Service Providers

We use third-party services to manage and deliver our email communications. These services include FluentSMTP, MailerLite, and Microsoft 365, all of which help ensure our emails’ secure and efficient delivery. Tools such as newsletter subscriptions and contact forms are integrated into our website to facilitate communication with our users. They collect and process limited personal data, such as email addresses, under strict confidentiality.

• FluentSMTP: This plugin by WPManageNinja manages email delivery from our WordPress site. It helps us ensure that emails are sent reliably and securely.
• MailerLite: We use MailerLite to manage our email newsletters and subscriber lists. For more information, please refer to MailerLite’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
• Microsoft 365: We also use Microsoft 365, specifically its email management services via Exchange, to handle business communications. For more details, see Microsoft 365’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

We have taken all necessary measures to ensure these service providers adhere to applicable data protection regulations, including GDPR, to safeguard your privacy and secure your personal information.

Do we use cookies?

We use cookies, including through trusted third-party services that use cookies to track information on our behalf.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your web browser (if allowed based on your settings). It enables the site’s or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. Cookies are used to help providers to

• remember and process the items in your shopping cart;
• understand your preferences based on previous or current site activity or
• compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction.

so that they can offer better site experiences and tools in the future.

What about embedded content?

Articles, Widgets, and Javascript on this website may include embedded content (for example, videos, images, articles, widgets, maps, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves as if the visitor had visited the other website.

These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

Users and customers may find advertising or other content on our websites that link to the websites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. We do not control the content or links on these websites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these websites or services, including their content and links, may constantly change. These websites and services may have privacy and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites with a link to our customers, is subject to that website’s terms and policies.

To give you an example, Our MailerLite embedded forms don’t use any cookies. Nevertheless, some forms might have the __cfduid cookie. This cookie is set by the CloudFlare service we use to identify trusted web traffic. Please read more about this cookie here.

What can I do about cookies?

You can have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Since every browser is different, look at your browser’s Help Menu to learn how to modify your cookies. Your user experience shouldn’t be affected if you turn cookies off.

Why do we collect your data?

We may use the information we collect from you in the following ways:

• to personalize your experience and to allow us to deliver the type of content and product offerings in which you are most interested
• to improve our website to better serve you
• to administer a contest, promotion, survey or other site feature
• to quickly process your transactions
• to ask for ratings and reviews of services or products
• to follow up after correspondence (live chat, email or telephone inquiries).

How long do we retain your data?

We also store the personal information provided by users who register on our website (if any) in their user profiles. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.

How do we protect your information?

We do not use vulnerability and/or scanning to the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard. We use a regular malware scanning service called Wordfence.

Your personal information is contained within secured networks. It is only accessible to a limited number of persons with special access rights to such systems, and the data must be kept confidential. Also, your sensitive/credit information is encrypted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.

In addition, our website management service provides various security measures when users enter, submit, or access their information to maintain the safety of their personal information.

What key regulations do we adhere to?

California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA)

CalOPPA is the first state law to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law stretches well beyond California (and the US) to any person or company that operates websites collecting personally identifiable information from Californian consumers.

As per CalOPPA, we agree to the following:

• Users can visit our site anonymously.
• Our Privacy Policy is available on our homepage or the first significant page after entering our website.
• Our Privacy Policy link includes the word Privacy and can be found on the abovementioned page.
• We will notify you of any Privacy Policy changes on our page. You can also change your personal information by emailing us.

We do not specifically market to children under 13 years old.

CAN-SPAM Act

The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them and spells out tough penalties for violations.

We collect your email address to:

• send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions
• process orders and send information and updates about orders
• send you additional information related to your product and/or service
• market to our mailing list or continue to send emails to our clients after the original transaction has occurred.

In compliance with CAN-SPAM, we agree to the following:

• not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses
• identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way
• include the physical address of our business or site headquarters
• allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email
• honour opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly
• monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance if one is used.

If you want to unsubscribe from receiving emails, follow the instructions at the bottom of each email or email us at moc.syenruoJtsilaminiMobfsctd-83e3cf@ycavirP, and we will promptly remove you from ALL correspondence.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Minimalist Journeys Limited makes every effort to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In doing so, we disclose the following:

• At Minimalist Journeys Limited, we take data safety seriously. We use your private data only to offer a personalised experience. As mentioned above, we use cookies to track analytics and to personalize ads.
• We have never sold, we are not selling, and we will not sell any of your data provided to us. As far as we know, all affiliate programs we work with are GDPR compliant.

Who are our affiliate partners?

Minimalist Journeys Limited has affiliate relationships with merchants and participates in various affiliate programs. All companies we affiliate with have undergone rigorous curation and vetting. 99% of our affiliate partners are companies we have used personally and/or for our business and are happy to recommend to our friends and family. We may use the remaining 1% in the future as and when we need it.

Our affiliations provide us with earnings through commissions and referral fees. Should you purchase anything through the affiliate links placed on our website, in our email marketing campaigns, or on our social media platforms, Minimalist Journeys Limited will receive a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. You are not obligated to click on any link or purchase anything advertised.

The companies we refer to are our third-party providers. Your transactions with third-party providers are not associated with or conducted by Minimalist Journeys Limited. The availability of products and services can change at the provider’s discretion. Each third-party provider has its privacy policy, which discloses if any personal data is collected through its functions.

We participate in the following affiliate programs:

What impact do third parties have when it comes to our opinions?

All our opinions on this website, in our email marketing campaigns, and on social media platforms are our own. Our opinions can’t be bought, full stop.

How to contact us?

If you have any questions about this policy, you may contact us via email, phone, or physical mail.

Minimalist Journeys Limited
2564 Middle Road
Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay 4178
New Zealand
moc.syenruoJtsilaminiMobfsctd-8c465f@ycavirP

Last Updated on 03 June 2024