foresttravel Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Introduction

At ForestTravel.store (“we,” “us,” or “our”), we are committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of our visitors (“you” or “your”). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, foresttravel.store (the “Site”), engage with our travel-related content, or interact with features powered by Mediavine, Inc. (“Mediavine”) and its WordPress plugin, Grow (“Grow”). As we prepare to apply for Mediavine’s Journey program, a monetization solution for growing websites, we prioritize transparency and compliance with applicable privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

This policy applies solely to information collected through the Site and services managed by Mediavine or Grow. If you provide personal data through third-party platforms linked on our Site (e.g., Pinterest or travel booking services), those activities are governed by their respective privacy policies. By using the Site, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using the Site. For questions or to exercise your privacy rights, contact us at privacy@foresttravel.store.

Who We Are

ForestTravel.store is a platform launched in 2024, dedicated to inspiring sustainable travel to forest destinations worldwide. We provide high-quality, original content, including travel itineraries, hiking guides, cultural insights, and eco-friendly tips, to empower travelers to explore forests responsibly. Our integration of Mediavine’s Grow plugin enhances user engagement through features like newsletter subscriptions and single sign-on (SSO), supporting our goal of monetizing the Site through Mediavine’s Journey program while maintaining a privacy-centric experience.

Information We Collect

We collect information to deliver personalized travel content, optimize user experience, and support our Mediavine application. The types of information we collect include:

Personal Data You Provide Voluntarily

  • Email Address: Collected when you sign up for our newsletter via Grow Automailer or create a Grow account for SSO across Mediavine publisher sites.
  • Name and Contact Information: Provided when you use our contact form, email us directly, or submit inquiries about travel itineraries or partnerships.
  • User-Generated Content: Comments, feedback, or travel tips submitted on the Site, which may include personal details, used to moderate and display publicly.

Automatically Collected Information

  • IP Address: Logged to identify your device, analyze traffic patterns, and enhance security, supporting our Mediavine traffic goals.
  • Device and Browser Information: Data on your operating system, browser type, and device settings to optimize Site performance and ad delivery.
  • Usage Data: Information on pages viewed, time spent on the Site, and referring websites, collected via Google Analytics to track our progress toward Mediavine’s 50,000-session requirement.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: Session and persistent cookies store preferences, enable Grow’s features (e.g., Spotlight Subscribe), and support targeted ads. Our consent banner allows you to manage cookie settings.

Information from Third Parties

  • Mediavine Publishers: Anonymized data about your interactions with other Mediavine publisher sites to serve interest-based ads, ensuring compliance with privacy frameworks.
  • Trusted Partners: Aggregated data from analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) or social media platforms (e.g., Pinterest) to enhance ad targeting and user experience.

How We Collect Information

We collect information through:

  • Direct Interactions: Forms, newsletter sign-ups, or Grow account creation.
  • Automated Technologies: Cookies, pixels, and server-to-server connections used by Mediavine and Grow during Site visits.
  • Third-Party Services: Mediavine’s ad partners, Google Analytics, or email service providers (e.g., ConvertKit) supply data to improve our services.

Grow collects minimal data (e.g., email for SSO) to ensure privacy, and we avoid collecting sensitive personal data (e.g., financial or health information) unless voluntarily provided in communications.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to enhance your travel planning experience, support Site operations, and prepare for Mediavine monetization. Specific uses include:

  • Content Delivery: Sending personalized travel itineraries or newsletters via Grow’s features.
  • Site Optimization: Analyzing usage data to improve navigation, content relevance, and performance, ensuring compliance with Google’s Core Web Vitals for Mediavine eligibility.
  • Advertising: Delivering targeted ads through Mediavine’s Ad Management service, using Grow’s first-party data to replace third-party cookies in a privacy-focused ecosystem.
  • Engagement: Encouraging return visits via Grow’s tools (e.g., Recommended Content, social sharing), increasing session duration by 15% since early 2025.
  • Security: Monitoring IP addresses to prevent fraud or unauthorized access.
  • Legal Compliance: Processing data to meet GDPR, CCPA, and other legal obligations.

Data is retained only as long as necessary, with ad-related data stored for the browser session and newsletter emails kept until you unsubscribe.

How We Share Your Information

We share information only as necessary to operate the Site, comply with laws, or support Mediavine’s services. Recipients include:

  • Mediavine and Grow: Mediavine processes email addresses (for Grow accounts or newsletters) and anonymized data (for ads) to provide SSO, engagement tools, and targeted advertising, adhering to IAB Europe’s Transparency & Consent Framework (Vendor ID 858).
  • Service Providers: Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), email (e.g., ConvertKit), and hosting providers process data under strict confidentiality agreements.
  • Legal Authorities: Data may be disclosed to comply with legal obligations or protect our rights.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a sale or merger, your data may be transferred, subject to this Privacy Policy.

We do not sell personal data under CCPA’s definition, but Mediavine’s ad targeting may constitute a “sale” in some jurisdictions. Opt out via our consent banner or by emailing privacy@mediavine.com.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are integral to Site functionality and Mediavine’s services. We use:

  • Session Cookies: Expire after your browser session, used for temporary data like ad delivery.
  • Persistent Cookies: Store preferences or login status for Grow’s SSO and personalization.
  • Pixels and Beacons: Track behavior for analytics and ad performance.

Grow’s first-party data solution collects authenticated data (e.g., email for SSO) to support ad revenue in a cookieless web. You can manage cookies via our consent banner, browser settings, or Mediavine’s opt-out portal. Disabling cookies may limit Site functionality.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights under GDPR, CCPA, or other laws, including:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
  • Correction: Update inaccurate data.
  • Deletion: Request data removal, subject to legal exceptions.
  • Opt-Out: Decline personalized ads or data “sales” under CCPA.
  • Restriction: Limit data processing in certain cases.
  • Portability: Receive data in a structured format.

To exercise these rights, email privacy@foresttravel.store or privacy@mediavine.com for Mediavine-related data. We respond within 30 days (or 45 days for CCPA requests, if extended). EU residents may contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@foresttravel.store or file a complaint with their supervisory authority.

Children’s Privacy

We comply with COPPA and do not knowingly collect data from children under 13 (or 16 in some jurisdictions). Grow does not solicit information from users under 18. If we discover such data, we delete it promptly. Parents can contact privacy@foresttravel.store to request removal of a child’s data.

International Data Transfers

ForestTravel.store is hosted in the United States, and Mediavine’s servers are U.S.-based. If you access the Site from outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to and stored in the U.S., where privacy laws differ. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer. We use Standard Contractual Clauses for GDPR compliance when transferring EU data.

Third-Party Links

The Site may link to third-party platforms (e.g., Pinterest, Instagram, or travel booking services like Booking.com) or integrate with email services (e.g., ConvertKit). These services have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices. Review their policies before providing data.

Security Measures

We implement industry-standard measures, including encryption, secure servers, and access controls, to protect your data. Grow’s minimal data collection and Mediavine’s secure infrastructure enhance safety. However, no online system is fully secure. In case of a breach, we will notify affected users as required by law.

Mediavine-Specific Disclosures

As we apply for Mediavine’s Journey program, we use Mediavine’s Ad Management and Grow services, which collect:

  • IP Address and Device Data: For ad delivery and analytics.
  • Email Address: For Grow accounts or newsletters, enabling SSO and personalized content.
  • Ad Interaction Data: Via cookies or pixels for targeted ads across Mediavine’s network.

See Mediavine’s Privacy Policy for details. Opt out via their privacy portal or email privacy@mediavine.com. The following HTML is included for Mediavine compliance:

<p>Our website uses Mediavine to manage third-party advertising. Mediavine serves ads when you visit our website and may use cookies, pixels, or server-to-server connections to collect information such as your IP address, browser type, and pages viewed to deliver personalized ads. For more information or to opt out, see Mediavine’s <a href="https://www.mediavine.com/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a>.</p>

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, Mediavine’s services, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted with a revised effective date. Significant changes will be notified via email or a Site notice. Your continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance.

Contact Us

For questions or to exercise your privacy rights, contact:

ForestTravel.store
Email: privacy@foresttravel.store
Address: 456 Forest Way, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19901, United States

Mediavine, Inc.
Email: privacy@mediavine.com
Address: 8 The Green, #20971, Dover, DE 19901, United States

Additional Notes

This Privacy Policy supports our Mediavine Journey application by ensuring compliance with privacy laws, Mediavine’s ad requirements, and Grow’s data practices. We are committed to a privacy-first approach, leveraging Grow to build a sustainable, ad-supported platform while respecting your rights.