Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how PassportPicks (“PassportPicks”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information about you when you visit passportpicks.com (the “Site”). We operate as a global travel media platform, and we are committed to handling your data responsibly and transparently.

Who we are

PassportPicks is an independent travel media publisher. For the purposes of data protection law, PassportPicks is the “data controller” responsible for your personal information. If you have any questions about this policy, you can reach us at privacy@passportpicks.com.

Information we collect

We collect the minimum information needed to operate the Site and improve your experience:

• Information you give us — primarily your email address when you subscribe to our newsletter, and any details you include when you contact us.
• Information collected automatically — when you browse the Site we may collect your IP address, device and browser type, operating system, referring pages, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits, using cookies and similar technologies.
• Preferences — settings you choose, such as light or dark mode, stored locally in your browser.

We do not knowingly collect sensitive personal information, and we do not ask for payment card details — all bookings are completed on our partners’ own websites.

How we use your information

• To provide, operate, and maintain the Site.
• To send you our newsletter and travel updates, where you have asked to receive them.
• To understand how the Site is used so we can improve our content and performance.
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or abuse.
• To comply with our legal obligations.

Legal bases for processing

Where applicable law (such as the EU/UK GDPR) requires it, we rely on the following legal bases: your consent (for example, to send marketing emails or set non-essential cookies), our legitimate interests (to run and improve the Site securely), and compliance with legal obligations.

Cookies and tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to run the Site, remember your preferences, measure traffic, and support our affiliate partnerships. You can control these at any time. For full detail, see our Cookie Policy.

Affiliate links and third parties

PassportPicks earns commissions through affiliate partnerships. When you click an affiliate link, our partner may set cookies or receive limited information to attribute a referral. This does not change the price you pay. Learn more in our Affiliate Disclosure.

Service providers we work with

We share information only with trusted providers that help us operate the Site, including hosting and infrastructure, our database provider, email delivery services, and privacy-respecting analytics. These providers process data on our behalf under appropriate agreements and only as instructed.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may disclose information where required by law, to enforce our terms, to protect the rights, property, or safety of PassportPicks or others, or in connection with a business transfer such as a merger or acquisition.

International data transfers

PassportPicks serves a global audience, and your information may be processed in countries other than your own. Where we transfer personal data internationally, we take steps to ensure an adequate level of protection, such as standard contractual clauses where required.

Data retention

We keep personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy. Newsletter data is retained until you unsubscribe; analytics data is retained in aggregated or limited form.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of your personal information, to object to certain processing, to data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time. Residents of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom have rights under the GDPR; California residents have rights under the CCPA/CPRA, including the right to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. To exercise any right, email privacy@passportpicks.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

Children’s privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date above. Significant changes will be highlighted on the Site where appropriate.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at privacy@passportpicks.com.