Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how ChipJourney collects, uses, stores and protects information when you visit ChipJourney.com or interact with services operated in connection with the website.

Who We Are

ChipJourney operates a free public website-submission directory and a separate editorial blog covering topics including spirituality, wellbeing, travel, dreams, relationships and personal development.

Website: https://chipjourney.com/
Contact: hello@chipjourney.com

Information We May Collect

Depending on how you use the website, we may collect:

• Information you voluntarily provide when submitting a website or emailing us.
• Your IP address, browser type, device type and approximate location.
• Pages visited, referral sources and general website activity.
• Cookie and advertising identifiers.
• Information necessary to protect the website from spam, fraud or misuse.

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information unless you voluntarily provide it when contacting us.

Free Website Directory and Public Listings

When you submit a website, we process the website URL, title, description and selected category. If a submission passes automated checks, these details and the submission date may be shown publicly in our directory and may be indexed by search engines. Please submit only information you are permitted to make public.

Submissions are screened for suspected spam, unsafe destinations, redirects, duplicates and misuse. A website may remain pending, be rejected or be removed following further checks. Automated access checks may contact the submitted public website and record the result, time and reason for a decision. Submitting a website does not guarantee publication.

To reduce abusive submissions, the service uses security-related request information and rate-limiting identifiers derived from visitor IP addresses; it may also use a temporary, security-protected browser session for the submission form. Submission records and security logs may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary for directory operation, fraud prevention, dispute resolution and legal obligations. Old records may be removed when they are no longer necessary.

To request correction or removal of a listing, email hello@chipjourney.com with the exact URL. We may ask for reasonable proof that you control the website, and removal from third-party search-engine caches may take additional time.

Directory Screening, Retention and External Website Requests

The public listing includes only submitted website details, not the visitor's IP address or a contact email. The submission form does not ask for an account or email address. To enforce submission limits, our directory derives a pseudonymous rate-limit identifier from the request IP address and a private server secret. These rate-limit events are removed from active directory records after approximately 24 hours; website hosting and security logs may follow different retention schedules set by the relevant provider.

Our automatic verification system may request publicly available pages from submitted sites, examine redirect destinations and record the result. Listings may be rechecked to detect changes, abuse or unsafe redirects. Copies of the directory data may be kept in private short-term recovery backups, and approved listing details may remain public until removed.

Directory cards may display website icons supplied by an external favicon provider. Loading these icons can result in the visitor's browser contacting that provider and transmitting ordinary request information such as IP address. We may also link to external sites submitted by visitors; their own privacy notices apply when you visit them.

Voluntary donations and linked directories

After submission, you may choose to open an optional PayPal donation page. ChipJourney does not require a payment, collect payment-card details or use donations to decide listing approval. PayPal processes payments according to its own policies when you visit its website. Optional links to Zearches and MeWebLink open independent directories with their own terms and privacy policies.

Cookie Choices and Advertising

We use Google advertising services, which may use cookies, device identifiers and other technologies for ad delivery, measurement and fraud prevention. Where required, our consent message asks for your choices before non-essential advertising storage or personalised advertising. You may revisit consent choices through any privacy-and-cookie-settings control provided on the website. You can also learn how Google uses information from sites and apps at Google's partner-sites information page.

Necessary session cookies may be used to protect the free website submission form against automated misuse. Rejecting optional cookies should not prevent you from reading the blog or viewing public directory listings.

Purposes and Lawful Grounds

Where UK or EU data-protection law applies, our processing may be based on operating a service you request, legitimate interests in publishing a useful directory and protecting it from misuse, compliance with legal obligations, or consent where required (including for non-essential cookies). The appropriate basis depends on the processing activity. You may contact us to ask about a particular use of your information.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

ChipJourney may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep the website functioning correctly.
• Remember preferences.
• Understand how visitors use the website.
• Measure website performance.
• Display advertising and measure its effectiveness.
• Track affiliate referrals.
• Prevent fraud and abuse.

Where a cookie-consent mechanism is displayed, use it to review or change your choices. You may also control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect how some parts of the website function.

Analytics

We may use analytics services to understand general visitor behaviour, such as page views, traffic sources, device information and engagement. This information helps us improve the content, usability and performance of the website.

Advertising

ChipJourney may display advertisements through third-party advertising providers, including Google AdSense. Advertising providers may use cookies or similar technologies to display relevant advertisements, measure performance, limit frequency and detect fraudulent activity. Third-party providers process information under their own privacy policies.

Affiliate Links

Some pages may contain affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link and complete a purchase or another qualifying action, ChipJourney may receive a commission. Affiliate providers may use tracking technology to attribute referrals. Using an affiliate link does not normally increase the price you pay.

Embedded Content

Pages on ChipJourney may include embedded content such as videos, images, social-media posts or other external materials. Embedded content may behave as though you visited the third-party website directly. Those services may collect information, use cookies or track interactions under their own privacy policies.

External Websites

ChipJourney contains links to external websites and services. We are not responsible for the content, availability, security or privacy practices of third-party websites. Review the privacy policy of any external service before providing personal information.

How Information May Be Shared

Information may be shared with service providers when reasonably necessary to operate the website, including hosting providers, security services, analytics providers, advertising providers, affiliate platforms and email providers. Information may also be disclosed when required by law or when reasonably necessary to protect the website, its users or the rights of others.

We do not sell visitors’ personal information.

Data Retention

Information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. Retention periods may depend on the type of information, operational requirements, security needs, legal obligations and whether a connected service remains active.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights concerning your personal information, including rights to request access, correction or deletion; object to or restrict certain processing; withdraw consent; request a portable copy of certain information; or complain to the relevant data-protection authority.

We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

Children’s Privacy

ChipJourney is not intentionally directed towards children under the age required to provide independent consent in their country. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate permission.

International Data Processing

Some service providers may process information in countries outside your country of residence. Where applicable, reasonable safeguards will be used to protect personal information during international transfers.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes to the website, connected services, legal obligations or operational practices. The date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision.

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