1. Introduction
AstroTraveler (website URL address: https://astrotraveler.space) appreciates your interest and trust. We are a Portugal-based initiative, dedicated to providing resources and experiences for stargazing enthusiasts. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully, as your consent to this document is required for the use of our services.
2. Data Collected
Data Storage Location
AstroTraveler operates web servers hosted by a GDPR-compliant provider. Your data is securely stored and handled in accordance with European data protection regulations.
Newsletter and Guide Subscriptions
When you subscribe to our newsletter or download our free stargazing guide, we collect and store your email address. This data is used to:
- Send you updates, stargazing resources, and information related to AstroTraveler.
- Enhance our understanding of user preferences and improve future products and services.
Your data is never shared with third parties or used for unrelated marketing purposes.
Contact Form and Location Data
Information submitted through our contact form, including your location for the stargazing guide, is stored and analyzed to:
- Provide personalized stargazing resources.
- Inform the development of future products and features.
- Make data-driven decisions to enhance AstroTraveler’s offerings and user experience.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics on our site to collect anonymous data about user interactions and website performance. This data helps us:
- Understand user behavior and preferences.
- Improve the website’s functionality and user experience.
- Make informed decisions about scaling and enhancing AstroTraveler.
If you wish to opt-out of Google Analytics tracking, you can use this link: Google Analytics Opt-out.
Cases for Using Personal Data
We collect and use your personal data for the following purposes:
- Newsletter and Guide Distribution: To send you relevant updates and provide access to our free stargazing guide.
- Customer Service: To respond to inquiries submitted via our contact form.
- Data-Driven Improvements: To analyze inputs such as email and location for making informed decisions that improve AstroTraveler’s features, products, and user experience.
- Future Product Development: To tailor future offerings based on user feedback and behavior.
3. Embedded Content
Pages on this site may include embedded content, such as social media feeds or videos. Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if you visited the other website directly. These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with their content, including tracking your interaction if you have an account and are logged into that website.
Below is a list of the services we use:
We use the Facebook page plugin to display updates and posts from our Facebook timeline on our site. Facebook may collect your data and use cookies in accordance with their own privacy policies. No data, including your IP address, is sent to Facebook until you consent to it.
See their privacy policy here: Facebook Privacy Policy.
We embed Instagram posts and feeds to showcase our stargazing experiences and updates. Instagram may collect data and use cookies as per their own privacy policies. Your IP address is not shared with Instagram until you interact with or consent to view the embedded content.
See their privacy policy here: Instagram Privacy Policy.
YouTube
We use embedded YouTube videos to provide educational content and tutorials related to stargazing and astronomy. YouTube may collect your data and use cookies according to their privacy policies. No cookies are set or data sent to YouTube unless you consent to view the embedded videos.
See their privacy policy here: YouTube Privacy Policy.
AstroTraveler ensures that no data is shared with these platforms without your consent, and any interactions with embedded content are governed by the respective platform’s privacy policies.
4. Cookies
This site uses cookies – small text files that are placed on your machine to help the site provide a better user experience. In general, cookies are used to retain user preferences, store information for things like shopping carts, and provide anonymised tracking data to third party applications like Google Analytics. Cookies generally exist to make your browsing experience better. However, you may prefer to disable cookies on this site and on others. The most effective way to do this is to disable cookies in your browser. We suggest consulting the help section of your browser.Necessary Cookies (all site visitors)
- cfduid: Is used for our CDN CloudFlare to identify individual clients behind a shared IP address and apply security settings on a per-client basis. See more information on privacy here: CloudFlare Privacy Policy.
- PHPSESSID: To identify your unique session on the website.
Necessary Cookies (Additional for Logged in Customers)
- wp-auth: Used by WordPress to authenticate logged-in visitors, password authentication and user verification.
- wordpress_logged_in_{hash}: Used by WordPress to authenticate logged-in visitors, password authentication and user verification.
- wordpress_test_cookie Used by WordPress to ensure cookies are working correctly.
- wp-settings-[UID]: WordPress sets a few wp-settings-[UID] cookies. The number on the end is your individual user ID from the users database table. This is used to customize your view of admin interface, and possibly also the main site interface.
- wp-settings-[UID]:WordPress also sets a few wp-settings-{time}-[UID] cookies. The number on the end is your individual user ID from the users database table. This is used to customize your view of admin interface, and possibly also the main site interface.
4. Who Has Access to Your Data
If you do not subscribe to our newsletter or download our stargazing guide, we do not retain or have access to any personal information about you.
If you provide your email through our services (e.g., newsletter subscription or guide download), your personal information can only be accessed by:
Our System Administrators
- Responsible for maintaining the security and functionality of our website and services.
Authorized Team Members
- Only when necessary to manage subscriptions, send updates, or provide support related to your queries or use of our services.
We take privacy seriously and ensure that access to your data is limited to authorized personnel and only for purposes directly related to improving your experience with AstroTraveler.
5. Third Party Access to Your Data
AstroTraveler does not share your personal data with third parties in a way that reveals any of your private information, such as email or name, without your explicit consent. The only exceptions are trusted partners we collaborate with to provide the services you expect from us. Please see details below:
Email Hosting Provider
Our email services are managed by a trusted provider, which stores and processes the emails submitted through newsletter subscriptions or contact forms. This is done securely and in compliance with data protection regulations.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to gather anonymous data about how users interact with our website. This helps us make data-driven decisions to improve our services. No personally identifiable information (PII) is shared.
See their privacy policy here: Google Analytics Privacy Policy.
We only work with partners that adhere to strict privacy standards and comply with GDPR and other relevant data protection laws.
6. How Long We Retain Your Data For
When you provide your email through a newsletter subscription, download the stargazing guide, or submit a contact form, we retain this information until you request its removal. This allows us to continue sending you updates and resources or responding to your inquiries.
If you unsubscribe from our newsletter or request the deletion of your data, we promptly remove your personal information from our systems.
Data Retention for Future Services
In the future, if we offer account registration or other personalized features, we will retain personal information provided in your profile. You will always have the ability to view, edit, or delete your personal information, with the exception of your username.
Our website administrators only access your data when necessary to manage subscriptions, respond to inquiries, or improve your experience.
7. Security Measures
AstroTraveler takes the security of your data seriously and employs measures to ensure your information remains protected.
SSL/HTTPS Protocol
We use the SSL/HTTPS protocol across our entire website. This encryption safeguards communications between users and our servers, ensuring that any personal information you provide cannot be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized third parties.
Response to Data Breaches
In the unlikely event of a data breach:
- Immediate Action: Our system administrators will promptly investigate and take all necessary steps to restore system integrity.
- User Notification: Affected users will be informed as soon as possible.
- Data Protection: Steps such as resetting account access credentials (if applicable) will be implemented to minimize risks.
AstroTraveler is committed to ensuring the safety and confidentiality of your personal information at all times.
8. Your Data Rights
General Rights
If you have subscribed to our newsletter, downloaded a stargazing guide, or submitted a contact form, you have the following rights regarding your data:
- Data Access: You can request an exported file of the personal data we retain, including any information you have provided to us.
- Data Erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal data at any time. However, this does not include any data we are required to retain for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
- Please note that erasing your data may prevent us from offering certain services, such as providing updates or stargazing guides.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us via the information provided on our website.
GDPR Rights
Your privacy is critically important to us. AstroTraveler fully complies with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), granting you the following rights as an EU resident:
- Right to Be Informed: You have the right to know how your data is collected, used, and stored.
- Right to Access: You may request a copy of the data we store about you.
- Right to Rectification: You can request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to Erasure: You have the “right to be forgotten,” allowing you to request the deletion of your personal data.
- Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a machine-readable format for use elsewhere.
- Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your data for specific purposes, such as direct marketing.
For further details, visit the EU GDPR Information Portal.
9. Third Party Websites
AstroTraveler may post links to third-party websites on this site, such as social media platforms or external resources. These third-party websites are not screened for privacy or security compliance by AstroTraveler, and we are not liable for the conduct or policies of these external sites.
Social Media Sharing Links
Social media sharing links or icons (e.g., for Facebook, Instagram) on our site do not connect you to the associated third-party platforms unless you explicitly click on them. When you do, please note that those interactions are governed by the respective platform’s privacy policies.
Responsibility Disclaimer
This Privacy Policy applies solely to AstroTraveler and does not extend to third-party websites. We are not responsible for:
- The privacy practices or content of third-party websites.
- The data they collect, store, or use.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies and terms of service for each third-party site you visit through links on our website.
10. Release of Your Data for Legal Purposes
At times, it may become necessary for AstroTraveler to release your information in response to a legal request from a government agency or private litigant. You agree that we may disclose your data in good faith when we believe it is required for the following purposes:
- Compliance with a civil action, criminal investigation, or other legal proceedings.
- Protecting AstroTraveler’s rights, property, or safety, as well as those of our users or the public.
Notification of Legal Requests
In the event we receive a subpoena or similar legal request that affects your privacy, we may:
- Notify you to provide an opportunity for you to file a motion to quash the subpoena.
- Attempt to quash the subpoena ourselves.
However, we are not obligated to take either of these actions.
Proactive Legal Disclosures
We may proactively report and release your data to third parties if we believe it is prudent to do so for legal reasons, such as:
- Investigating suspected fraudulent or illegal activities.
You release AstroTraveler from any damages that may arise from or relate to the release of your information in response to a legal request by law enforcement agencies or private litigants.
Compliance with Local Laws
Any sharing of personal data for legal purposes will strictly adhere to the data protection and privacy laws applicable in the country where you reside.