HeyPortugal Privacy Policy

Here is the updated privacy policy for Hey Portugal, incorporating specific clauses for Google AdSense, Google Analytics, and the Amazon Associates affiliate program to ensure complete compliance.

Updated Privacy Policy for Hey Portugal

Privacy Policy for Hey Portugal

Last Updated: November 2, 2026

1. Introduction
   Welcome to Hey Portugal, accessible from heyportugal.com. We are highly committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy notice or our data practices, please reach out to us. When you visit our website, browse our expat guides, read Wendy's Cookbook, or use any of our services, you trust us with your personal data. We take your privacy very seriously. In this privacy notice, we seek to explain to you in the clearest way possible what information we collect, how we use it, and what rights you have under European data protection regulations.
2. Information We Collect
   We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. This includes details you submit when you interact with our Business Directory, submit calendar events, use our contact features, or subscribe to our upcoming eNewsletter. This data may include your name, email address, business contact details, and any other personal information you choose to provide.

Additionally, we automatically collect certain information when you visit, use, or navigate Hey Portugal. This information does not reveal your specific identity but includes device and usage data. We analyze traffic using standard logging and third-party tracking tools which track details such as your IP address, browser characteristics, operating system, language preferences, referring URLs, country, location, and information about how and when you interact with our website articles and features.

1. Cookies and Third-Party Tracking
   As noted on our site, we use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and perform traffic analysis. You can choose to accept or decline cookies via our cookie banner. Most web browsers are also set to accept cookies by default, but you can usually modify your browser settings to remove or reject cookies if you prefer. We work with several third-party services that place cookies on your device:

• Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to monitor and analyze web traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and examine the use of Hey Portugal, prepare reports on website activity, and share them with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.
• Google AdSense: We use Google AdSense to serve advertisements on our site. Google uses cookies, such as the DoubleClick cookie, to serve ads based on your prior visits to Hey Portugal or other websites on the internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings.
• Amazon Associates Program: Hey Portugal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon websites. Amazon utilizes cookies to track referrals and attribute commissions for qualifying purchases.

1. How We Use Your Information
   We use personal information collected via our website for a variety of legitimate business purposes. We process your data to deliver the information you request, run our eNewsletter, manage directory listings, protect our services from fraud, maintain site security, and optimize our advertising revenue. We use anonymized traffic data to optimize our content layout and better serve the expat community in Central Portugal.
2. Sharing Your Information
   We only share information with your explicit consent, to comply with Portuguese and European laws, to provide you with requested services, or to protect your legal rights. We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We share data with trusted third-party service providers (such as Google, Amazon, website hosting platforms, or email delivery services) who assist us in operating our website and delivering services to you, provided they agree to keep this information confidential and comply with data privacy regulations.
3. Data Retention and Safety
   We will only keep your personal information for as long as it is necessary for the purposes set out in this privacy notice, or as required by law. We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect the security of any personal information we process.
4. Your GDPR Privacy Rights
   Because Hey Portugal operates within the European Union, you are protected by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you, request corrections to inaccurate information, or ask for the deletion of your data. If you have subscribed to our newsletter or directory, you can opt out at any time.
5. Policy Updates
   We may update this privacy notice from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by a revised "Last Updated" date and will be effective as soon as it is accessible.
6. Contact Us
   If you have questions or comments about this policy, you can contact us via our official social media channels or through the email and contact details provided across the Hey Portugal website.