Privacy Policy — Travels Ukraine

Welcome to the website Travels Ukraine and the world — an author’s project dedicated to inspiring journeys across Ukraine, Europe, and the world. This Privacy Policy explains which personal data we collect, for what purpose we do so, how long we store it, how we protect it, and what rights each visitor has. We strive to inform users as transparently as possible and provide control over their own data, in accordance with applicable legislation, including the GDPR (for users from the EU/EEA) and the relevant laws of Ukraine.

The site is managed by the author Гребович Наталія (Hrebovych Natalia). Additional information about the project, operating principles, and editorial approach can be found on the “About the Project” page. You can ask privacy-related questions via the “Contacts” page or at the email address specified in the “How to Contact Us” section below.

1. Who we are

Data Controller: Travels Ukraine and the world — an author’s travel blog owned and edited by Гребович Наталія. We independently determine the purposes and means of processing personal data required for the operation of the site, communications with readers, analytics, and security.

Website address: https://travels-ukraine.com/en/. Official feedback channels are described on the “Contacts” page. You can learn about our organizational structure and content approach on the “About the Project” page.

We do not transfer site management to third parties and do not use hidden data collection mechanisms. All integrations and services are described in this Policy. If the policy changes (for example, we add a new analytics platform), we will update the document and indicate the date of the changes.

2. Who this policy applies to

This Policy applies to all users who visit the site, read articles, browse pages, send messages via forms (including the form on the “Contacts” page), interact with comments (if enabled), subscribe to newsletters (if available), or follow affiliate links. It applies equally to visitors from different countries, though certain rights may vary depending on your jurisdiction.

If you use the site on behalf of a third party (for example, you send a message from a corporate address), you confirm that you have the appropriate authorization and have properly informed that person about the transfer of data.

3. Terms and definitions

• Personal data — information that identifies or can identify a natural person (name, email, IP address, cookie identifier, texts of messages in forms).
• Processing — any operations with personal data: collection, recording, systematization, storage, adaptation, use, transfer, restriction, deletion.
• Cookies — small text files in your browser necessary for the stable operation of the site, settings, statistics, and (with consent) marketing.
• Anonymization/pseudonymization — techniques that reduce the risk of identifying a person during data analysis.

4. What data we collect

4.1. Data you provide voluntarily

When you fill out feedback forms on the “Contacts” page, enter into communication, or send cooperation proposals (for example, via the “Advertising on the Site” page), we may receive your name, email address, a link to your website or social media page, as well as the text of your message. This data is needed to respond to your request and conduct proper correspondence.

4.2. Data collected automatically

During each visit, the server automatically processes technical information: IP address, browser type and version, interface language, time zone, operating system, the URL of the page you came from (referrer), pages viewed, and time spent. This data is used in anonymized form for analytics, security, and optimization of site performance.

4.3. Data from third-party sources

If you arrive at the site through search engines, social networks, or affiliate links, the respective platforms may share aggregated statistics with us (for example, the total number of clicks or popular pages). We do not receive from partners any data that allows us to identify you directly unless required by the communication process or contractual relations.

5. Legal bases for processing

We process personal data only when there are lawful bases:

• Consent — for the use of non-essential cookies (analytics and marketing), newsletter subscriptions (if available), communications regarding partnerships or advertising upon request.
• Performance of a contract/provision of a service — when you ask us to respond to a message, provide information on cooperation, place an advertisement in accordance with the “Public Offer”, etc.
• Legitimate interest — ensuring site security, protection against abuse and bots, maintaining internal statistics to improve content.
• Legal obligations — responding to requests from government authorities within the law, maintaining records when concluding agreements and making settlements.

6. How we use the data

Personal data is used for specific, clearly defined purposes:

• Publishing, maintaining, and developing travel content, guides, curated location lists, and useful tips.
• Communication in response to your requests — for example, consultations on placing advertising (see “Advertising on the Site”), clarifying cooperation details.
• Analytics of anonymized visit statistics to understand audience interests, improve navigation, performance, and content quality.
• Ensuring security: preventing fraud, technical failures, and unwanted automated traffic.
• With your consent — informing you about new materials or special projects (you can always opt out).

7. Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies help us make the site convenient and fast. Necessary files provide basic functions (page loading, security), analytics cookies allow us to assess the popularity of materials, and marketing cookies (if any) measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. During your first visit, you can manage settings in a banner or change them later via your browser.

7.1. Types of cookies

• Necessary — required for the correct operation of the site and protection against abuse.
• Functional — remember your preferences (for example, interface language).
• Analytics — collect anonymized statistics so we can improve content and usability.
• Marketing — used only with your consent to measure the effectiveness of advertising and affiliate links.

7.2. How to manage cookies

You can delete, block, or restrict cookies in your browser settings. Note: refusing necessary cookies may negatively affect the operation of certain site functions.

8. Analytics and third-party services

To understand our audience and improve content, we may use Google Analytics (GA4) and other measurement tools. They process anonymized technical data, helping us analyze traffic, sources of visits, and behavior on pages. Integrations may set their own cookies in accordance with their policies.

Social widgets allow you to share materials within your networks. By interacting with them, you follow the rules of the respective platform. If affiliate links are placed on the site, aggregators may record the click to confirm a commission. Read more about the terms of commercial relationships in the “Public Offer” and on the “Advertising on the Site” page.

9. Advertising and affiliate links

Some materials may contain advertising blocks or affiliate links to services, bookings, travel products, or useful resources. If you follow such links, a third-party site may collect technical data (for example, UTM parameters or a click identifier) for commission accounting. We do not control the privacy policies of other resources and recommend reviewing their rules before use. The procedure for cooperation and ad labeling is described in “Advertising on the Site” and the “Public Offer”.

10. With whom we share data

We do not sell users’ personal data. Access may be granted to a limited circle of contractors and service providers (hosting, analytics, tools for sending messages) — exclusively to ensure the operation of the site and only under confidentiality and data processing conditions. Data may be provided to government authorities in cases expressly provided by law.

We conclude appropriate agreements with providers (if necessary — standard contractual clauses) and require compliance with proper security measures to ensure the protection of information at all stages of its processing.

11. International data transfers

Since the Internet is a global environment, certain technical data may be transferred between countries (for example, when providers’ servers are located outside your state). We strive to use reliable providers that ensure an adequate level of protection, including through the application of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) or other mechanisms consistent with GDPR requirements and local legislation.

12. Retention period

We store personal data only as long as needed to achieve the defined purposes. For example, we retain correspondence via contact forms for the period necessary to respond and resolve the issue, as well as for an additional period to document fulfilled obligations. Retention periods may vary depending on legal requirements (recordkeeping, tax rules) or the presence of ongoing communication with you.

After the necessary periods expire, data is deleted or anonymized. You can also send a deletion request — details are in the “Your rights” section.

13. Data security

We apply technical and organizational security measures: traffic encryption (HTTPS), access control, regular system updates, basic mechanisms to counter bots and abuses. Nevertheless, no Internet transmission can guarantee absolute security. If you suspect your information has been compromised or discover a vulnerability, please notify us immediately via “Contacts”.

14. Your rights

Depending on the legislation of your country and, where applicable, the GDPR, you may exercise the following rights regarding personal data:

• Access — obtain confirmation of processing and a copy of your data.
• Rectification — update inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Erasure — request deletion of data in cases provided by law (for example, no need for processing or withdrawal of consent).
• Restriction — temporarily suspend certain processing operations under specified conditions.
• Portability — receive data in a machine-readable format and transfer it to another controller, if technically possible.
• Objection — to processing based on legitimate interest or for marketing purposes.
• Withdrawal of consent — at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing prior to the withdrawal.
• Complaint to a supervisory authority — contact the regulator in your jurisdiction if you believe your rights have been violated.

To exercise your rights, contact us via “Contacts”. We may ask you to confirm your identity to prevent unauthorized access. Requests are processed within a reasonable timeframe in accordance with the law.

15. Children’s privacy

The site’s content is aimed at adult users and a family audience, but we do not knowingly collect information about children under 13 years old (or another age established in your country). If you are a parent/guardian and believe that a child has provided us with data without your consent, please report this via “Contacts” — we will promptly delete such information.

16. Links to third-party sites

Articles may contain links to external resources: official tourism portals, booking services, maps, partner blogs. We do not control third-party privacy policies and are not responsible for your experience interacting with them. Before using third-party services, we recommend reviewing their terms and data protection policies.

17. Communications and newsletters

With your separate consent, we may send emails with selections of new publications, guides, or special projects. We adhere to a principle of moderate communication: only useful and topical content without spam. You can unsubscribe in every email or by sending a request via “Contacts”.

18. Automated decision-making

We do not use automated decision-making that could have legal effects on users or significantly affect them. If similar mechanisms are implemented in the future (for example, personalized recommendations), we will update this Policy in advance and offer control settings.

19. Changes to this policy

We periodically review this Policy to reflect current data processing practices, new integrations, or legal requirements. The new version takes effect upon publication on this page with the date indicated. For users’ convenience, key changes may be briefly announced in the relevant sections of the site.

20. How to contact us

Owner and editor of the site: Гребович Наталія (Hrebovych Natalia). For questions regarding privacy, exercising your rights, or clarifying data processing details, contact us via the “Contacts” page. You can also learn more about the project’s operating principles on the “About the Project” page, and about cooperation terms — in the “Public Offer” and the “Advertising on the Site” section.

21. Additional notes

This Policy is intended to inform users and does not constitute legal advice. If you are a company representative or advertiser and plan to transfer any personal data to us on behalf of third parties (for example, for special projects), you confirm that there are valid grounds and guarantee that such transfer complies with applicable law and the “Public Offer”.