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Visitors to our website

Analytics

When you visit http://www.virtuallyinformed.com, we locally collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behavior patterns. We do this to find out such things as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site. This information is only processed in a way that does not identify anyone. We do not make, and do not allow any services to make, any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website. However, we do use services which identify the local area of an IP address, and sometimes the IP address may be connected with an employing organisation.

If we do collect personal data through our website, we'll be upfront about this. We'll make it clear when we collect personal information and we'll explain what we intend to do with it.

Cookies

You can read more about how we use cookies on our Cookies used on Virtually Informed Cookies usage page. We use a cookies tool on our website which relies on implied consent of users. In recognition of the fact that the implementation date for the revised e-Privacy Regulation remains unknown, we are taking reasonable steps now to align our use of cookies the standard of consent required by GDPR.

We are in the process of updating the several tools we use, which by default, requires explicit opt in action by users of our website. This will apply to the non-necessary cookies. We will ensure any necessary cookies for functionality and security are marked so that they are not deleted by our tools.

Search engine

Our website search is internal and not accessible by any third party. Search queries and results are logged anonymously to help us improve our website and search functionality. No identifiable personal information is collected by us.

Security and performance

We use a third-party web application firewall and content distribution network services from Cloudflare to help maintain the security and performance of our website. The service checks that traffic to the site is behaving as would be expected, and to ensure that the content is served from the distribution server nearest to the visitor. The service will block traffic that is not using the site as expected. To provide this service, Cloudflare processes site visitors IP addresses and some elements of the request to the web site.

We rely on the Privacy Shield Framework to transfer this information to Cloudflares's servers around the world some of which are located in the US. They hold the information for our access for three months.

Our website is hosted in Germany and holds traffic information for 12 months.

Purpose and legal basis for processing

The purpose for implementing all of the above is to maintain and monitor the performance of our website and to constantly look to improve the site and the services it offers to our users. The legal basis we rely on to process your personal data is article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, which allows us to process personal data when its necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests.  

What are your rights?

As we are processing your personal data for our legitimate interests as stated above, you have the right to object to our processing of your personal data. There are legitimate reasons why we may refuse your objection, which depend on why we are processing it.

For more information on your rights, please see Your data protection rights https://ico.org.uk/global/privacy-notice/your-data-protection-rights/ ˜Your rights as an individual.

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