Comprehensive Privacy & Data Use Policy

1. Introduction

The Silver Table ("we", "us", "our") operates www.thesilvertable.blog (the "Website"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information across our website and related services. It is intended to be comprehensive and to align with major privacy and advertising standards (GDPR, CCPA, Google Ads, Meta ad policies).

2. Scope & Who We Are

This policy applies to all visitors worldwide. Our primary services are editorial content and free informational resources about healthy cooking for seniors, newsletters, and advertising served on our pages. Our data controller contact email is privacy@thesilvertable.blog.

3. Information We Collect

We collect both personal data (identifies you) and non-personal data (aggregate/anonymous):

• Personal Data you provide: name, email address, messages, newsletter sign-ups, comments, survey responses, payment info where applicable (handled by payment processor).
• Technical & Usage Data: IP address, device and browser information, pages visited, referrer, timestamps, and engagement metrics (collected via analytics).
• Cookies & identifiers: session & persistent cookies, local storage, advertising identifiers used by third-party ad platforms for conversion measurement and personalized ads.
• Third-party data: information shared by ad/analytics platforms or social networks if you interact with them (e.g., clicking an ad, logging in via social).

4. Legal Basis for Processing (EU GDPR)

When we process personal data of EEA individuals, we rely on the following legal bases:

• Consent: for optional services such as newsletters, cookies for marketing/analytics when you opt in.
• Contractual necessity: to provide services you request (e.g., newsletter delivery).
• Legitimate interests: for website operation, security, analytics, and to serve contextual ads (balanced against your rights).
• Legal obligation: to comply with applicable laws and lawful requests.

5. How We Use Information

• To respond to inquiries and provide support.
• To deliver newsletters and transactional emails (with your consent).
• To personalize and measure advertising and content (ad performance, conversions).
• To analyze usage and improve site experience and accessibility.
• To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents.
• To comply with legal or safety obligations.

6. Cookies, Tracking & Advertising

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the site, analyze traffic, and (with consent where required) provide personalized advertising.

Categories:

• Essential cookies: required for site functionality (not used for advertising).
• Performance/analytics cookies: collect anonymous usage data (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Functional cookies: remember preferences such as language.
• Advertising/targeting cookies: used by advertising partners (Google Ads, Meta/Facebook) for remarketing, custom audiences, and ad personalization.

Manage cookies & ad personalization: You can control cookie preferences using your browser settings and any cookie banner we show. To opt out of Google ad personalization visit Google Ad Settings. To opt out of many targeted advertising providers use YourAdChoices / AboutAds. For Meta ad settings, visit your Facebook/Instagram ad settings.

7. Analytics, Pixels & Ad Tools

We and our partners use analytics and advertising tools including (but not limited to) Google Analytics (GA4), Google Ads conversion tracking, Google Ads remarketing, and Meta Pixel. These tools may:

• Measure site traffic, events, and conversions;
• Create aggregated audience segments and remarketing lists;
• Enable conversion attribution for ad campaigns;

These vendors may set their own cookies and collect data. We enter data processing agreements with major providers and follow their policies to protect data. If you opt out of tracking/ads personalization at the provider level, it will limit ad personalization across participating networks.

8. Third-Party Services & Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited personal data with:

• Service providers (email delivery, hosting, security, analytics) who perform services on our behalf;
• Advertising partners (Google, Meta, and other ad networks) for ad delivery and measurement;
• Legal or safety authorities when required by law or to protect rights and safety.

Where required, we put in place contracts (Data Processing Agreements) and safeguards to protect your data when a third party processes it on our behalf.

9. Automated Decision-Making & Profiling

We may use automated systems (via advertising partners) to profile audiences for ad targeting. We do not use fully automated decision-making that produces legal effects or similarly significant effects for you. For EEA users, you can ask for meaningful human review or opt out to the extent required by law.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal data for the minimum time necessary to fulfill the purposes described (e.g., to maintain accounts, respond to enquiries, measure ads). Specific retention periods:

• Contact form messages & support emails: retained for up to 3 years unless you request deletion.
• Newsletter subscriber data: retained while subscribed and for up to 3 years after unsubscribe for audit and compliance reasons.
• Analytics & logs: aggregated/anonymous data retained up to 26 months (or per vendor defaults) — personal identifiers removed or anonymized where possible.

11. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures — HTTPS (SSL/TLS), secure hosting, access controls, regular backups, and staff training — to protect personal information. Despite these measures, no system is 100% secure; if a breach affecting personal data occurs, we will follow applicable notification rules and promptly notify affected parties when required by law.

12. International Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your home jurisdiction (for example cloud hosting providers or ad platforms). When we transfer personal data, we use appropriate safeguards (standard contractual clauses, adequacy decisions, or similar measures) to ensure adequate protection.

13. Your Rights & How to Exercise Them

Depending on where you live, you may have rights including:

• Access the personal data we hold about you;
• Request correction or deletion;
• Object to or restrict processing (including marketing/advertising use);
• Request portability of your data;
• Withdraw consent (where processing relies on consent).

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@thesilvertable.blog. We may request information to verify your identity. We will respond within applicable legal timeframes (generally 30 days, may extend where permitted by law).

14. CCPA — California Residents

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the CCPA, including the right to request categories of personal data collected, the purposes for collection, the right to request deletion, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To submit a request, email privacy@thesilvertable.blog with subject line “CCPA Request” and include required details to verify your identity.

15. Children’s Privacy

Our site is intended for adults and mature audiences. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has given us personal data, contact privacy@thesilvertable.blog and we will delete the information promptly.

16. External Links & Embedded Content

Our pages may include embedded content (e.g., videos, social media widgets) or links to third-party sites. These external sites have their own privacy policies and practices which we do not control. Review those third-party policies before providing personal data.

17. Advertising Compliance (Google & Meta)

We follow platform policies for advertisers and publishers. Practically that means:

• We do not publish content that violates Google or Meta advertising policies (misleading claims, unsafe products, prohibited health claims, etc.).
• We disclose sponsored content and affiliate relationships transparently.
• We support ad network opt-outs and provide clear privacy information for ad personalization.
• If we use remarketing or custom audiences, we ensure users can opt out via provider controls (e.g., Google Ad Settings, Meta Ad Preferences).

18. Contact & Data Protection Officer

For privacy inquiries, requests, or complaints, contact:

• Email: privacy@thesilvertable.blog
• General contact: contact@thesilvertable.blog
• Mail: The Silver Table (Privacy Inquiries), United States

19. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy. Material changes will be posted prominently with an updated “Last updated” date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance.

Last updated: October 17, 2025