Privacy Policy
Last updated: 9 October 2024
Your privacy is important to us at Balanced Things (balancedthings.com). This Privacy Policy outlines how we handle and protect your personal information. Please read it carefully. By using our website, you agree to this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, our general Terms of Use, or any other terms stated on our website, please do not use or access this site.
3. Information we collect and use
3.1. Types of data collected: We receive, collect, and store any information you enter on our website or provide us in any other way. In addition, we collect the Internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the Internet, login, e-mail address, password, location, computer and connection information. We may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, length of visits to certain pages, page interaction information, and methods used to browse away from the page. We also collect personally identifiable information (including name, email, password, communications); comments, feedback, reviews, recommendations, media (photo and video), and personal profile.
3.2. Methods of information collection: When you interact with our website, we gather personal information through various methods. For example, we collect data when you submit a contact form, subscribe to our email list, create a member account, or browse or access our website. This data may include but is not limited to personal details such as your name, contact details including email address, password, and communication content such as comments and feedback.
3.3. Purpose of collecting personal information: We collect such Non-personal and Personal Information for the following purposes:
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Account management: To create and manage your account and settings. (Contractual Necessity)
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Service delivery: To provide our users with ongoing customer assistance and technical support, and deal with queries or complaints. (Contractual Necessity)
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Communication: To send you important updates, general or personalised marketing information, and notifications about new article posts or site features. (Consent)
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User engagement: To manage and display comments and likes on article posts, as well as to enable URL link sharing. (Legitimate Interest - To enhance user interaction and engagement)
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Security: To ensure the security and integrity of our website. (Legitimate Interest - To protect our website and services from security threats)
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Website functionality: To ensure the website functions properly for all users. (Legitimate Interest - To maintain an optimal user experience)
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Legal obligation: To comply with any applicable laws and regulations. (Legal Obligation)
4. Lawful bases for processing data
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we rely on the following lawful bases for processing your data:
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Consent: We may process your personal data based on your explicit consent. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to object. To be clear, you do have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
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Contractual necessity: This includes processing your personal data to fulfil our contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract. All of your data protection rights may apply except the right to object.
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Legitimate interests: We process your personal data to pursue our legitimate business interests, provided your rights and interests do not override these. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to portability.
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Legal obligation: We may process your personal data as necessary to comply with a legal obligation. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to erasure, the right to object and the right to data portability.
Each purpose for collecting personal information is paired with a specific lawful basis for processing your data, as shown in brackets.
5. Your data protection rights
Your privacy is important to us. Which lawful basis we rely on may affect your data protection rights, which are in brief set out below. You can find out more about your data protection rights and the exemptions which may apply on the ICO’s website: https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/
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The right to access – You have the right to request copies of your personal data.
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The right to rectification – You have the right to request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
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The right to erasure – You have the right to request that we delete your personal data, under certain conditions.
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The right to restrict processing – You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
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The right to object to processing – You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
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The right to data portability – You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organisation or directly to you, under certain conditions.
If you wish to access, correct, delete, or manage the processing of your personal data, please contact us at info@balancedthings.com.
6. Privacy of member profiles
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Public: Display names, profile images and all other public interactions on the website, such as comments, reviews.
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Private: Other profile details are private and only be accessible by account holder.
7. Where we get personal information from
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Directly from you
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Publicly available sources
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Third parties: Integrated services like Wix.com and Google Analytics.
8. How long we keep information
We retain different types of data, including the following schedule:
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Email subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe.
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User accounts: As long as active; 2 years if inactive.
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Comments: Indefinitely unless requested to remove.
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Analytics data: Up to 38 months.
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Backups: 30 days.
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Requests (e.g., Data Access): 5 years.
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User-generated content: Indefinitely; contact us for removal. Due to public sharing or third-party platforms, complete removal may not be possible.
9. Who we share information with
9.1. Data processors: Wix.com, Google Workspace.
Wix.com: Our website is hosted on the Wix.com platform. Your data may be stored through Wix’s data storage, databases, and general Wix applications. They store your data on secure servers behind a firewall.
Google Workspace: We use Google Workspace for our email services and other productivity tools. This means your email communications with us, along with any data shared via these emails, might be processed and stored through Google’s secure infrastructure.
These processors adhere to high security standards and regulatory requirements. For more details, please refer to the privacy policies of Wix.com and Google Workspace.
9.2. Others we may share personal information with:
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Organisations we are legally required to.
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Publicly on our website or other marketing channels.
9.3. Other relevant third parties:
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Google Analytics: To understand user interactions and improve the website experience.
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Wix: For website interactions and integrated functionalities.
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Other partners: Occasionally, we collaborate with other third parties to enhance or market our services, ensuring they comply with our privacy policy and data protection laws.
10. Sharing information outside the UK
We may transfer personal information outside of the UK when necessary. In doing so, we comply with UK GDPR by ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place.
10.1. Wix.com
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Category of recipient: Website hosting and creation in the tech software industry
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Country: European Union and other jurisdictions where Wix operates
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Compliance: Transfers comply with UK data protection law using UK data bridges (Adequacy Regulations) or EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) with addendums. For more information, please refer to Wix.com’s privacy policy.
10.2. Google Workspace
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Category of recipient: Email services and data processing
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Country: United States and other jurisdictions where Google operates
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Compliance: Transfers comply with UK data protection law using Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and other relevant compliance mechanisms. For more information, please refer to Google Workspace’s privacy policy.
Our website and services are designed for users who meet the following criteria:
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Age: Intended for users 18 and above, or with parental or guardian consent if under 18.
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Location: Primarily UK users.
Our privacy policy and data protection practices are governed by UK data protection laws, including the UK GDPR.
If you access our website from a location outside the UK, you do so at your own risk and initiative. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local laws applicable to your use of the website or services.
Additionally, as we grow, we aim to expand our audience and welcome users from diverse regions.
12. Cookies notice
12.1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They ensure websites function properly and provide information to Balanced Things.
12.2. How do we use cookies?
Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience, including:
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Essential cookies: Necessary for core site functions like security and accessibility.
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Analytical/performance cookies: Collect data on visitor interactions to improve site performance.
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Functionality cookies: Remember your preferences for a personalized experience.
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Targeting/advertising cookies: Deliver relevant ads and measure marketing effectiveness.
12.3. Cookie banner
We use a cookie banner to inform you about our cookies and obtain your consent where necessary. You can allow different types of cookies or reject all except essential ones.
12.4. Managing cookie preferences
You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie banner or via your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
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View and delete individual cookies.
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Block third-party cookies.
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Block cookies from specific sites.
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Block all cookies.
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Delete all cookies when closing the browser.
Note: Disabling certain cookies may impact website functionality.
13. Privacy policy updates
We may update this privacy policy periodically, with changes effective immediately upon posting on our website. Please review these terms regularly to stay informed about how your information is collected, used, and disclosed.
14. How to complain
If you have concerns about your data, contact us at info@balancedthings.com. You can also complain to the ICO:
Information Commissioners Office (ICO)
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Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
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Helpline: 0303 123 1113
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Website: https://www.ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint