Last Updated: 27.08.2025
1. Introduction
Welcome to BariatricPlanners.com (the “Site”). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Site or use our services.
By using BariatricPlanners.com, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Site.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information in the following ways:
A. Personal Data You Provide Directly
- Comments: When you leave a comment, we collect the data in the comment form (name, email, website), your IP address, and browser user agent to prevent spam.
- Account Registration: If you create an account, we collect your username, email, and any additional profile details you provide.
- Contact Forms: If you reach out via contact forms, we collect your name, email, and message content.
- Purchases/Subscriptions: If you buy products or subscribe to services (e.g., meal plans, e-books), we collect payment details (via secure third-party processors like PayPal or Stripe), billing/shipping addresses, and order history.
- Surveys/Feedback: Voluntary responses to surveys or feedback forms may include health-related data (e.g., bariatric surgery type, dietary preferences).
B. Automatically Collected Data
- Log Data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and timestamps.
- Cookies & Tracking Technologies: See Section 4 for details.
- Analytics: We use tools like Google Analytics to track Site usage (e.g., traffic sources, user behavior). This data is anonymized where possible.
C. Third-Party Data
- Gravatar: If you use an email associated with Gravatar, your profile picture may appear with your comment. Gravatar’s privacy policy applies: https://automattic.com/privacy/.
- Embedded Content: Videos, images, or articles from other sites (e.g., YouTube, Instagram) may collect data about you. We do not control these third parties’ practices.
D. Sensitive Data (Health Information)
If you voluntarily share health-related details (e.g., in comments, forms, or surveys), we treat this as sensitive personal data and handle it with heightened confidentiality. We do not sell or share this data without your explicit consent.
3. How We Use Your Data
We use your information for the following purposes:
- Site Functionality: Manage comments, accounts, and orders.
- Communication: Respond to inquiries, send newsletters (if subscribed), or provide updates about our services.
- Improvement: Analyze usage trends to enhance user experience and content.
- Security: Protect against fraud, spam, or abuse (e.g., IP tracking for spam detection).
- Legal Compliance: Fulfill obligations under applicable laws (e.g., tax records, dispute resolution).
4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
We use cookies to improve your experience. You can manage cookie preferences via your browser settings.
| Cookie Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Comment Cookies | Save your name/email/website for future comments. | 1 year |
| Login Cookies | Authenticate users and remember login preferences. | 2 days (or 2 weeks if “Remember Me” is selected) |
| Analytics Cookies | Track Site performance (e.g., Google Analytics). | Varies (typically 2 years) |
| Session Cookies | Temporary cookies for site functionality (e.g., shopping cart). | Expires when browser closes |
Opt-Out: Most browsers allow you to block cookies. However, disabling them may limit Site functionality.
5. Who We Share Your Data With
We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with:
- Service Providers: Third parties that help operate the Site (e.g., hosting providers, payment processors like Stripe/PayPal, email services like Mailchimp). These parties are contractually obligated to protect your data.
- Legal Requirements: If required by law (e.g., court order, government request).
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale (we will notify you if your data is transferred).
- Spam Protection: Your IP address may be shared with services like Akismet for spam detection.
6. Data Retention
- Comments: Retained indefinitely to recognize repeat commenters and reduce moderation.
- Account Data: Stored until you delete your account or request erasure.
- Order Data: Retained for tax/legal purposes (typically 7 years).
- Analytics Data: Anonymous usage data may be stored indefinitely.
7. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location (e.g., GDPR in the EU, CCPA in California), you may have the following rights:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request erasure of your data (subject to legal exceptions).
- Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or disable cookies.
- Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format (where applicable).
To exercise these rights, contact us at [your email]. We will respond within 30 days.
8. Data Security
We implement reasonable security measures to protect your data, including:
- SSL encryption for data transmission.
- Secure payment processing via PCI-compliant providers.
- Regular software updates and vulnerability scans.
However, no online transmission is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Children’s Privacy
Our Site is not intended for children under 13 (or 16 in the EU). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided data to us, contact us to have it removed.
10. Third-Party Links
Our Site may link to external websites (e.g., medical resources, affiliate partners). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Always review their policies before providing data.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes via email or a prominent notice on the Site. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the new policy.
12. Contact Us
For questions or concerns about this policy or your data, contact us at: Email: contact@bariatricplanners.com
Effective Date: 27.08.2025