Privacy Policy for BestOfDurham.us
Effective Date: March 1, 2025
1. Introduction
BestOfDurham.us (also called “the website,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a simple list of the top 10 local businesses, experts, restaurants, and healthcare providers in Durham, NC. We care about your privacy and want to explain in clear words how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using our website, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
2. What Information We Collect
We collect two types of information to make your experience better:
A. Personal Information
- Examples: Your name, email address, and any details you give us when you fill out forms, sign up for newsletters, or send suggestions.
- How We Collect It: This is gathered when you fill out a form or interact with the website.
B. Other Information
- Examples: Information about the pages you visit, how long you stay, the type of device you use, and your IP address.
- How We Collect It: We get this from cookies, log files, and simple tracking tools.
3. Why We Process Your Information
We use your information for these reasons:
- With Your Permission: For non-essential cookies, simple tracking, and occasional emails.
- To Meet Your Requests: For example, when you sign up for a newsletter.
- For Our Own Needs: To improve our website and show content that may interest you.
4. How We Use Your Information
Your information may be used to:
- Show you ads that might interest you.
- Understand how people use the website so we can make it better.
- Send you newsletters, updates, or reply to your questions.
- Make our list of local places more accurate.
- Protect the website from fraud or unauthorized access.
5. Cookies and Tracking Tools
We use small files called cookies to make the website work better and to understand how you use it. Here are some common cookies we use:
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Provider | Duration |
_ga | Analytics tracking | Google Analytics/AdSense | 2 years |
mediavine_* | Ad optimization and delivery | Mediavine | Session |
session_id | Managing login sessions | BestOfDurham.us | Session |
When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie notice. You can change your cookie settings in your browser. Turning off non-essential cookies might affect how well the website works.
6. Sharing Your Information
We may share your information with trusted partners for reasons such as:
- Display and optimize advertisements (e.g., Google AdSense, Mediavine).
- Understanding website usage (for example, using Google Analytics).
- Sending emails like newsletters.
All third-party partners are contractually required to adhere to applicable privacy laws and use your data solely for the purposes disclosed in this policy.
These partners must follow privacy laws and use your data only for the purposes we have explained.
7. Your Rights
Under the GDPR, CCPA, and CPRA, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of your data.
- Deletion: Ask for your data to be deleted (subject to legal retention requirements).
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Opt-Out: Choose to opt out of targeted advertising and the sale or sharing of your data (via our “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link).
- Restriction: Request that processing of your data be limited.
- Withdrawal of Consent: You may withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.
To use these rights, please contact us at hello@bestofdurham.us. We will reply within 30 days.
8. Keeping Your Data
We keep your data only as long as we need it to serve you or to meet legal requirements. When your data is no longer needed, we delete it or remove any details that can identify you.
9. Protecting Your Data
We use several simple security measures to keep your data safe. These include:
- Encryption: Securing data transmission using SSL/TLS protocols.
- Access Controls: Limiting access to your data to authorized personnel only.
- Regular Audits: Conducting periodic reviews of data storage and handling practices.
10. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. Children between 13 and 16 need permission from a parent to share any information with us.
11. Content Ownership
All the content on our website, like the list of local places and reviews, is put together by our team and contributors. This content is protected by copyright laws. No user-generated content is accepted or stored on the site.
12. Changes to This Policy
If we change this policy, we will let you know through a banner on the website or by email. Using the website after the changes means you accept the updated policy.
13. How to Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us:
Email: hello@bestofdurham.us
Mailing Address: 1031 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Durham, NC 27713, United States
Phone: +1 919 432 9910
14. In Case of a Data Breach
If there is ever a problem where your data is affected, we will notify you by email or through a notice on the website, following the rules set by law.
Summary
This policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information. It is our promise to be clear and honest about our data practices while offering a trusted guide for the best local places in Durham.
