I want this to be a place where people can come and have fun as part of an incredible travel community. I hope that you find useful information and new ideas to fuel your wanderlust. This is the nitty gritty to make sure that I don’t get in any trouble of the legal kind; kind of boring, but totally necessary.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you so much for becoming a part of my community and visiting Cat's Nine Lives. I'm so grateful to have you here!
I love giving you my opinions on my travels and helpful tips about my own adventures and experiences. Please do bare in mind though, that they're just that - my opinions. All content here on the blog is designed for informational purposes only. The information is provided by Cat's Nine Lives (Catriona MacRae), and whilst I try to ensure that every post is up-to-date and thoroughly researched, I make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information and will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. Even The Lonely Planet can't keep up with some things - please let me know if you find something that's out of date or inaccurate as both I, and other Cat's Nine Lives readers will appreciate it.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which aren't under the control of Cat's Nine Lives. I therefore have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. From time to time I may accept monetary compensation in exchange for the promotion of certain products or services but it will always be disclosed.
Cat's Nine Lives does not provide professional medical, legal, or other advice, and am not responsible for any losses, injuries, or damages that arise from the display or use of this information. By reading this blog you agree that you are doing so of your own free will. If you do give something I have discussed on this site a try, note that you are doing it at your own risk. That includes carrying a 15kg backpack up a mountain.
Please read this Privacy Notice carefully and ensure that you understand, and agree, with it.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to:
- be informed regarding how your data is collected and used (further details below)
- request access to the data stored and processed about you
- ask me to change and/or delete the data I store about you
- ask me to restrict the processing of your personal data
- unsubscribe to my newsletter
I take my GDPR obligations seriously. If you wish to have your information (eg. comments) removed and you're an EU resident, please get in touch with me.
If you're not happy with how I collect and use your data (as outlined below), you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO is the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues. You can access their website here.
If you do have a complaint with how I store or use your data, please get in touch with me first so that I can try and resolve it for you first.
It's also very important that the information we hold about you is accurate and up to date. If your details change, please email me at hello@catsninelives.com
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
I know you care about how your data is used and stored - because I care about it too. I'm committed to safely maintaining and protecting your privacy.
In this privacy policy, I outline the details of how I collect and process your personal data, through your use of Cat's Nine Lives. This includes the information you provide when signing up to my newsletter, taking part in a competition, or leaving comments on my site.
The online safety of minors is something I take extremely seriously. I'll never knowingly collect any personally identifiable information from children under the age of 16. If you're a parent or guardian and you believe that I have data of this kind in my database, please contact me immediately so that I can remove it.
YOUR DATA
WHAT DATA I COLLECT FROM YOU
Personal data means any information capable of identifying you as an individual. It does not include anonymised data.
I may process certain types of personal data about you as follows:
Identity Data | may include your first name, maiden name, last name, username, marital status, title, date of birth and gender.
Contact Data | may include your email address and telephone numbers.
Financial Data | may include your bank account and payment card details.
Transaction Data | may include details about payments between us and other details of purchases made by you.
Technical Data | may include your login data, internet protocol addresses, browser type and version, browser plug-in types and versions, time zone setting and location, operating system and platform, and other technology on the devices you use to access this site.
Usage Data | may include information about how you use my website, products and services.
Marketing and Communications Data | may include your preferences in receiving marketing communications from me and your communication preferences. We collect this data when you voluntarily opt-in by entering your personal details, and confirming the subscription to my newsletter.
SENSITIVE DATA
I require your explicit consent when processing your identifying data. This occurs when you submit your details, for example, when you subscribe to my newsletter. In these cases, I'll always send you a further communication asking for you to confirm your consent to this processing (for example, asking you to confirm your subscription to my site).
That said, I do not and will never collect Sensitive Data about you. This data refers to details about your race, ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life, sexual orientation, political opinions, trade union membership, information about your health and genetic and biometric data, or criminal convictions or offences.
HOW I COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA
I collect data about you through a variety of different methods, which include:
Direct interactions | When you voluntarily fill in your data on a form on my site, or by communicating with me via post, phone, email, or otherwise. These interactions include when you:
- Subscribe to my newsletter, service, or publications
- Enter a competition, prize draw, promotion, or survey
- Order products or services
- Give me feedback or send me an email.
Automated technologies or interactions | As you use my site, I may automatically collect Technical Data about your equipment, browsing actions and usage p atterns. I collect this data by using cookies, server logs and similar technologies.
Third parties or publicly available sources | I may receive personal data about you from various third parties and public sources as set out below"
- ConvertKit for distribution of my newsletter
- Analytics providers such as Google based outside the EU
HOW I USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA
I will only ever use your personal data when I'm legally permitted to. The most common uses of your personal data are:
- To operate and maintain the website;
- To send you newsletters. Each email promotion will provide an easy opt-out button;
- To respond to your comments or enquiries;
- To track and measure statistics/advertising on the website;
- To protect, investigate, and deter against unauthorised or illegal activity.
I record this information to help me better understand your needs, and provide you with the quality service and information you've come to expect from Cat's Nine Lives. In particular, this applies to:
- Internal record keeping
- Improvements to my site, products, and services
- Marketing communications such as my newsletter. When subscribing to the newsletter, you are adhering to ConvertKit’s privacy policy.
- Market research: I value your opinion, so may occasionally contact you for market research purposes.
Generally, I do not rely on consent as a legal ground for processing your personal data, other than in relation to sending marketing communications to you via email. If you decide to withdraw your consent to marketing, you can do so at any time either by opting out at the bottom of my emails, or emailing me at hello@catsninelives.com
DISCLOSING YOUR PERSONAL DATA
I may have to share your personal data with the parties set out below:
- Service providers who provide IT and system administration services.
- Professional advisers including lawyers, bankers, auditors and insurers who provide consultancy, banking, legal, insurance and accounting services.
- HM Revenue & Customs, regulators and other authorities based in the United Kingdom and other relevant jurisdictions who require reporting of processing activities in certain circumstances.
- Third parties to whom I sell, transfer, or merge parts of my business or our assets.
I'll never sell your information to another company or place you on a spam list. I'll only ever allow third parties to access your data for the above reasons, and according to my legal obligations, and we expect them to treat them with the same commitment to data safety.
RETAINING YOUR PERSONAL DATA
I'll only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes I collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
COOKIES STATEMENT
This site uses cookies - small text files that are placed on your machine to help the site provide a better user experience.
In general, cookies are used to retain user preferences, store information for things like shopping carts, and provide anonymised tracking data to third party applications like Google Analytics. As a rule, cookies will make your browsing experience better. However, you may prefer to disable cookies on this site and on others. The most effective way to do this is to disable cookies in your browser. We suggest consulting the Help section of your browser or taking a look at the About Cookies website which offers guidance for all modern browsers.
Cat's Nine Lives uses both "session" and "persistent" cookies.
Session cookies | These are deleted from your computer as soon as you close your browser, and help me to keep track of you while you navigate my site, increase web security and prevent fraud.
Persistent cookies | These will remain stored on your computer until you delete them, or they reach their specific expiry date. Persistent cookies help my website to recognise you when you visit, and keep track of your preferences when using my website. It's all about helping to provide you with the best user experience, tailored to you!
GOOGLE ANALYTICS
I use Google Analytics to analyse the use of this website. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about website use by means of the cookies listed above. The information generated relating to my website is used to create reports about the use of the website. Google will store this information. Google’s privacy policy is available at: http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html.
In most Internet browsers, you can change your settings so that you will be warned each time a cookie is being sent, or so that cookies will be turned off. With cookies blocked, some functions of the site may not operate properly
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER
Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, and if you choose to purchase using these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This costs you nothing, but allows you to directly support Cat's Nine Lives so that I can continue putting out free content for you.
Please note that I would never recommend any products or services through our affiliates that I haven't personally used, or that I don't believe is of the best quality. Basically, if I don't use it for my own travels, I wouldn't tell you to.
If you do click on a link on my site, please note that you're subject to their data collection and privacy policies, and I'm not responsible for these.
All of my affiliate platforms are GDPR compliant.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
I don't accept pre-written sponsored posts or direct advertising on my site, but would love to discuss how I can help you promote your product, in my way, in the future - as long as it remains relevant to my cause and provides value to you, our readers.
If you'd like to work with me, please get in touch.
You'll only find my own opinions here, not a regurgitated sponsor message, and you can be sure I'll share that opinion with you as honestly and transparently as possible.
COPYRIGHT POLICY
The content of this blog is covered by copyright, and all text, images and other content on this site are the copyright of Cat's Nine Lives unless otherwise stated. All other content has been shared with the permission of the creator, or under the creative commons licence.
If you would like to reprint or publish any of my content, please follow these guidelines:
Contact me prior for written permission and fee schedule.
If you are granted permission to use my content, you must credit Cat's Nine Lives, and link back to the blog.
Whole blog posts may not be reproduced; please excerpt or paraphrase, and link back to the original post.
If the above guidelines are not met, I reserve the right to file infringement notices and claim compensation.
BLOG COMMENTS POLICY
I love comments and appreciate every on of you who helps build the Cat's Nine Lives community on the site (and social media channels). However I don't condone negativity, vulgarity, and/or inappropriate or dangerous conduct in any of Cat's Nine Lives online spaces.
This blog is a place for sharing and encouragement, and any comments or shared content that is viewed (at my discretion) as being to the contrary, or subjects us to third party liability will be removed from this site without notice.
I love hearing from you guys and read everything you send me; comments, emails, letters, tweets, instagram comments, carrier pigeon messages - everything! If you do contact Cat's Nine Lives, I'll keep your identity totally confidential, but may mention any information you give me in a future blog post to help others!
Please note, that the above privacy policies and guidelines are subject to change at any time and without notice. I'll do my best to email you (if you're subscribed) to let you know of these changes, but otherwise do check back every now and then to confirm you're still happy with my policy.