Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to The Smart Pick (“we,” “our,” or “us”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding data collection and use when you visit our website thesmartpick.online (the “Site”). By using our Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletter: Email address, name (optional), and preferences
• Contact us: Name, email address, and message content
• Leave comments: Name, email address, and comment text (if enabled)
• Participate in surveys: Responses and any contact information you provide

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, and referral sources
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device type, and IP address
• Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies: Small data files stored on your device (see Section 4)

2.3 Third-Party Information

We may receive information about you from third-party services like Google Analytics, social media platforms (if you interact with our content), and advertising partners.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

• Site Operation: To provide, maintain, and improve our website and services
• Communication: To send newsletters, respond to inquiries, and provide customer support
• Personalization: To customize content and recommendations based on your interests
• Analytics: To understand how visitors use our Site and improve user experience
• Marketing: To send promotional content (only with your consent)
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
• Fraud Prevention: To detect and prevent fraudulent activity

We will never use your personal information in ways incompatible with the purposes described in this Privacy Policy without your explicit consent.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

4.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize you and remember your preferences. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain until deleted or expired).

4.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Site (Google Analytics)
• Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant ads and track affiliate conversions
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices

4.3 Managing Cookies

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. You can block or delete cookies, but this may affect site functionality. Visit your browser’s help section for instructions on managing cookies.

4.4 Third-Party Tracking

We use third-party services like Google Analytics and Amazon Associates that may set their own cookies. These parties have their own privacy policies governing their use of information.

5. Amazon Associates Program Disclosure

5.1 How It Works

When you click on Amazon product links on our Site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to continue providing free content.

5.2 Editorial Independence

Our participation in the Amazon Associates Program does not influence our editorial content or product recommendations. We maintain complete independence in our reviews and only recommend products we genuinely believe offer value.

5.3 Tracking and Cookies

Amazon may use cookies and tracking technologies to attribute purchases to our referrals. These cookies are subject to Amazon’s Privacy Policy, which you can review on their website.

6. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

6.1 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our Site, including:

• Email service providers (e.g., Mailchimp, ConvertKit)
• Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Hosting and infrastructure providers
• Payment processors (if applicable)

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

6.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, legal process, or government request, or to:

• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Enforce our terms of service
• Prevent fraud or illegal activity
• Protect the rights and safety of our users

6.3 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure hosting infrastructure
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Employee training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. GDPR Compliance (EU Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have specific rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

8.1 Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on:

• Consent: When you subscribe to our newsletter or contact us
• Legitimate Interests: To operate our Site, improve services, and prevent fraud
• Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws

8.2 Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, typically:

• Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
• Contact inquiries: 2 years from last contact
• Analytics data: 26 months (Google Analytics default)

8.3 Your GDPR Rights

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Rectify inaccurate data
• Request data deletion (“right to be forgotten”)
• Restrict or object to processing
• Data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

9.1 Access and Portability

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you in a structured, commonly used format.

9.2 Correction

You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

9.3 Deletion

You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.

9.4 Opt-Out Rights

• Marketing emails: Unsubscribe link in every email
• Cookies: Browser settings or cookie management tools
• Analytics: Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on
• Targeted ads: NAI opt-out or browser ad settings

9.5 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, including the right to know what information we collect and the right to opt-out of the “sale” of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information).

10. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information from our servers.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of significant changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on this page
• Updating the “Last Updated” date at the top
• Sending an email notification (for material changes)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Site after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.