Privacy Policy
Last Updated: January 25, 2025
Japanese Beach Café Guide ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website beachcafeguide.com and use our services.
Quick Summary: We collect minimal personal information, use cookies to improve your experience, and never sell your data to third parties. You have full control over your information and can request deletion at any time.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you interact with our website, we may collect the following information:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, and phone number when you submit inquiries through our contact form
- Communication Data: Any messages, questions, or feedback you send to us
- Newsletter Subscription: Email address if you subscribe to our newsletter or updates
- User-Generated Content: Comments, reviews, or other content you may submit (if applicable)
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information:
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, referring website
- Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address (country/city level, not precise location)
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Data collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies
1.3 Information from Third-Party Sources
We may receive information about you from third-party services:
- Analytics Providers: Google Analytics provides aggregated usage statistics
- Social Media Platforms: If you interact with our social media presence
- Advertising Networks: Facebook Pixel and similar tools for advertising effectiveness
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
2.1 Service Delivery and Communication
- Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
- Send you requested information about beach cafés, regions, or services
- Process and fulfill any requests you make through our website
- Communicate important updates about our services
2.2 Website Improvement and Personalization
- Analyze website usage patterns to improve user experience
- Personalize content and recommendations based on your interests
- Conduct research and analytics to enhance our services
- Test new features and functionality
2.3 Marketing and Promotional Activities
- Send newsletters and updates about beach café culture (with your consent)
- Provide information about special features, new content, or recommendations
- Conduct surveys or promotional campaigns
- Display targeted advertisements on third-party platforms
2.4 Legal and Security Purposes
- Comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests
- Protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
- Enforce our Terms and Conditions
- Resolve disputes and troubleshoot problems
3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
3.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us recognize your browser and capture certain information about your preferences and usage patterns.
3.2 Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies (Required):
- Enable core website functionality
- Remember your cookie consent preferences
- Maintain security and prevent fraud
Analytics Cookies (Optional):
- Google Analytics tracks visitor behavior and website performance
- Help us understand which content is most valuable
- Provide aggregated statistics about website usage
Marketing Cookies (Optional):
- Facebook Pixel tracks conversions and user behavior for advertising
- Enable targeted advertising on social media platforms
- Measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns
Preference Cookies (Optional):
- Remember your language and region preferences
- Store settings to personalize your experience
3.3 Managing Cookies
You can control cookie settings through:
- Cookie Banner: Accept or decline optional cookies when you first visit our site
- Browser Settings: Configure your browser to block or delete cookies
- Opt-Out Tools: Use Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or similar tools
- Do Not Track: Enable Do Not Track signals in your browser (though not all websites honor these)
Note: Blocking essential cookies may affect website functionality. Optional cookies enhance your experience but aren't required for basic site access.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers
We work with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:
- Web Hosting: Companies that host our website infrastructure
- Analytics: Google Analytics for website performance analysis
- Email Services: Providers who help us send newsletters and communications
- Customer Support: Tools that help us respond to your inquiries
These providers have access only to information needed to perform their functions and are contractually obligated to protect your data.
4.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:
- Court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
- Government or regulatory requests
- Investigations of potential violations of our terms
- Protection of our rights, property, or safety
4.3 Business Transfers
If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our website of any such change.
4.4 With Your Consent
We may share information with third parties when you explicitly consent to such sharing.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:
5.1 Security Measures
- Encryption: HTTPS/SSL encryption for data transmission
- Access Controls: Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Regular Security Audits: Periodic reviews of our security practices
- Secure Storage: Protected servers and databases with industry-standard security
- Staff Training: Regular training on data protection and privacy practices
5.2 Limitations
While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but commit to using reasonable measures to protect your data.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:
- Contact Inquiries: Retained for 2 years after resolution or last contact
- Newsletter Subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
- Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; individual data for 26 months (Google Analytics default)
- Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer if required by law
After the retention period, we will securely delete or anonymize your information.
7. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
7.1 General Rights (All Users)
- Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
- Right to Object: Object to our processing of your information for certain purposes
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for marketing communications or optional data processing
7.2 Additional Rights (EU/EEA Residents - GDPR)
- Right to Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority
7.3 Additional Rights (California Residents - CCPA)
- Right to Know: Request information about data collection and sharing practices
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information (with exceptions)
- Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data)
- Right to Non-Discrimination: Not be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights
7.4 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section. We will respond to your request within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).
8. Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16.
If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.
9. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws different from your home country.
When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:
- Standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission (for EU data)
- Adequacy decisions recognizing equivalent data protection standards
- Your explicit consent where required
10. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including:
- Beach café websites and booking platforms
- Social media platforms
- Travel and tourism resources
- Partner websites and services
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
11. Marketing Communications
11.1 Email Marketing
If you subscribe to our newsletter or marketing emails:
- We will send updates about beach café culture, new content, and special features
- You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email
- We respect your preferences and won't send unwanted communications
- We never share your email address with third parties for their marketing
11.2 Social Media
If you interact with us on social media platforms, your interactions are governed by the privacy policies of those platforms. We may see your public profile information and interactions with our content.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in:
- Our privacy practices
- Legal or regulatory requirements
- Website functionality or services
- Technology or industry standards
When we make changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Material changes will be communicated via email or prominent website notice
- We encourage you to review this policy periodically
- Your continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance
13. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For users in the EU/EEA, we process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: You have given explicit consent for specific processing activities (e.g., marketing emails, optional cookies)
- Contract Performance: Processing is necessary to provide services you've requested
- Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests (e.g., website analytics, fraud prevention) that don't override your rights
- Legal Obligation: Processing is required to comply with legal requirements
This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date listed above and applies to all information collected through our website and services.
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