1. Introduction

At Vichingo, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Dutch privacy laws (AVG).

2. Controller & Contact Information

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

Milo van Loon
Email: hello@vichingo.org

3. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

Directly provided: When you contact us by email
Automatically collected: Technical and usage data such as IP address, browser/device information, pages visited, and timestamps
Cookies: Small data files stored on your device to enhance browsing experience

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds under GDPR Article 6:

Consent: When you explicitly consent to our processing (e.g., contact form submissions)
Legitimate Interests: To improve our website functionality and user experience
Legal Obligation: When required by law

5. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used for:

Responding to inquiries and requests
Improving website functionality and user experience
Analytics and website performance monitoring (only when configured)
Security and fraud prevention
Compliance with legal obligations

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary:

Email communications: retained only as long as needed to handle your request
Analytics data: up to 26 months when Google Analytics 4 is enabled
Cookies: As per each cookie's specific settings (generally 12 months maximum)

After this period, data is securely deleted unless retention is required by law.

7. Third-Party Services

Our website uses the following third-party services that may collect data:

Google Analytics 4 (optional): Loaded only when analytics is configured on this site. You can opt-out using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on.
Hosting Provider: Our website is hosted on secure servers with appropriate data protection measures.

8. Your Rights Under GDPR/AVG

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right of Access: Request a copy of your personal data
Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how your data is used
Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
Right to Object: Object to certain processing activities

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@vichingo.org.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against:

Unauthorized access or disclosure
Alteration, loss, or destruction
Accidental or unlawful processing

All data transmissions are encrypted using HTTPS. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

10. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies to:

Remember your preferences
Understand how you use our website
Improve website performance

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

11. External Links

This website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. Please review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, we will promptly delete such information.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top indicates when this policy was last modified. Your continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact & Complaints

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact:

Email: hello@vichingo.org

If you believe we have violated your privacy rights, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP).