At Mercer Wexley – Life / Style / Substance, your privacy is a big deal. I’m Mercer Wexley, and I’ve built this Site to share lifestyle tips, not to mess with your personal info. This Privacy Policy explains how MercerWexley.com (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects your data, in compliance with U.S. laws and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It’s written to be clear and straightforward, so you know exactly what’s going on. Let’s dive in.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information to improve your experience on the Site and to keep things running smoothly. Here’s what we may collect:
- Personal Information: If you comment on a post, subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us, you may provide details like your name, email address, or other contact info.
- Usage Data: We collect data on how you interact with the Site, such as pages visited, time spent, and links clicked, using tools like cookies and analytics.
- Device Information: We may collect details about your device, like IP address, browser type, and operating system, to optimize the Site.
- Third-Party Data: If you engage with our content on platforms like Pinterest or click affiliate links, we may receive aggregated data from those partners.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your data to:
- Provide and improve the Site’s content and functionality.
- Respond to your comments, emails, or inquiries.
- Send newsletters or promotional content (if you opt in).
- Analyze Site usage to enhance user experience (e.g., via Google Analytics).
- Manage affiliate and advertising partnerships.
- Comply with legal obligations.
We don’t sell your personal data to third parties. Ever.
3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your data based on:
- Consent: When you opt in to newsletters or cookies.
- Legitimate Interests: To improve the Site and analyze usage, provided it doesn’t override your rights.
- Contractual Necessity: To respond to your inquiries or deliver services you’ve requested.
- Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. These may include:
- Essential Cookies: To keep the Site functioning (e.g., session management).
- Analytics Cookies: To track usage patterns (e.g., via Google Analytics).
- Advertising Cookies: To deliver relevant ads or track affiliate link performance.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool (for EEA users). Note that disabling cookies may affect Site functionality.
5. Third-Party Services
We work with trusted third parties, such as:
- Analytics Providers: Google Analytics to understand Site usage.
- Advertising/Affiliate Partners: To deliver ads or track affiliate links.
- Social Media Platforms: Like Pinterest, for content promotion.
These partners have their own privacy policies, and we’re not responsible for their practices. We ensure they meet industry standards for data protection.
6. Data Sharing
We may share your data:
- With service providers (e.g., hosting or analytics) under strict confidentiality agreements.
- To comply with legal obligations or protect our rights.
- In aggregated, anonymized form for analytics or advertising purposes.
For EEA users, any data transfers outside the EEA (e.g., to U.S.-based providers) comply with GDPR requirements, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.
7. Your Rights
You have rights over your data, including:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate data.
- Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations).
- Restriction: Limit how we process your data.
- Portability: Receive your data in a structured format.
- Objection: Opt out of marketing or certain processing activities.
To exercise these rights, reach out through our Contact page. For GDPR compliance, we’ll respond within 30 days. You may also lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (e.g., in the EEA).
8. Data Security
We use industry-standard measures (e.g., encryption, secure servers) to protect your data. However, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection against unauthorized access.
9. Data Retention
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required by law. For example, newsletter subscriber data is retained until you unsubscribe, and analytics data is typically kept for 26 months.
10. Children’s Privacy
The Site is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe we have, please contact us immediately.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on the Site, and significant changes will be communicated (e.g., via email to newsletter subscribers). Check back periodically.
12. Contact Us
Questions or concerns? Reach out through our Contact page. For GDPR-related inquiries, you can also contact our EU representative at the same email.
Thanks for trusting us with your data. Now, let’s get back to the good stuff—living with style and substance.
—Mercer