Privacy Policy

Last updated: 23 February 2026

Welcome to My Second French Home (“we”, “our”, “us”). We are committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you use our website and community features.

This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, why we collect it, how long we keep it, and what rights you have under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This policy applies to all visitors and registered members of https://mysecondfrenchhome.com.

1. Data Controller

The data controller for this website can be contacted at:

contact@mysecondfrenchhome.com

This email address may be used for all privacy‑related inquiries, including requests to access, correct, or delete your data.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal data in the following situations:

2.1. When you create an account

To register as a member of the community (the “MSFH Club”), we collect:

• Email address
• Username
• Password (stored in encrypted form)
• Automatically generated avatar (first‑letter avatar plugin)
• Any optional profile information you choose to provide

2.2. When you participate in the community

When you use the community features, we collect and store:

• Activity posts (“updates”)
• Comments and replies
• Group memberships
• Likes (via WP ULike)
• Notification preferences
• Mentions (@username)
• Login and session cookies

Note: Private messaging is disabled on this website.

2.3. When you interact with content

• Likes on posts (WP ULike)
• Comment data (name, email, comment text)
• IP address and browser user agent (for spam protection)

2.4. Cookies and analytics

We use cookies for:

• Login and session management
• User preferences
• Website performance
• Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

More details are provided in Section 4.

2.5. Newsletter sign‑ups

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect:

• Email address
• Your consent to receive emails

You may unsubscribe at any time.

3. Why We Collect Your Data (Legal Basis)

Under GDPR, we must explain the legal basis for processing your data:

3.1. Contract (Article 6(1)(b))

To provide community features, we must process:

• Account information
• Activity posts
• Comments
• Likes
• Notifications
• Group participation

Without this data, the community cannot function.

3.2. Consent (Article 6(1)(a))

We rely on your consent for:

• Newsletter subscriptions
• Analytics cookies (GA4)
• Non‑essential cookies

You may withdraw consent at any time.

3.3. Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f))

We process certain data to:

• Prevent spam (Akismet)
• Maintain website security
• Improve site performance
• Detect misuse or abuse

These interests are balanced against your privacy rights.

4. Cookies and Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

We use cookies to ensure the website functions properly and to understand how visitors use the site.

4.1. Types of cookies

• Necessary cookies (login, security, preferences)
• Performance cookies
• Functionality cookies
• Analytics cookies (GA4)

4.2. GA4 data

GA4 collects anonymized information such as:

• IP address (anonymized)
• Device type
• Pages visited
• Session duration
• Interaction events

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time via the “Cookie Settings” link.

5. Comments and Gravatar

When you leave a comment on a blog post:

• We collect the data shown in the comment form
• We collect your IP address and browser user agent for spam detection
• An anonymized hash of your email address may be sent to Gravatar to check if you use their service
• After approval, your Gravatar image (if any) may appear next to your comment

Gravatar’s privacy policy: https://automattic.com/privacy/

BuddyPress profiles in the MSFH Club use automatically generated avatars, not Gravatar.

6. Spam Protection (Akismet)

We use Akismet to detect and prevent spam. Akismet may process:

• Comment text
• IP address
• User agent
• Referrer
• Website URL

This processing is necessary to protect the site from spam and abuse.

7. How Long We Keep Your Data

7.1. Account data

Kept until you delete your account or request deletion.

7.2. Activity posts, comments, likes

Kept until you delete them. If you delete your account, your content may remain unless you request removal.

7.3. Analytics data

GA4 retains data for 14 months (Google’s default).

7.4. Backups

Deleted data may remain in encrypted backups for a limited time.

8. Who We Share Your Data With

We do not sell or share your data with third parties for marketing.

We share data only with:

8.1. Hosting provider

Domainhotelli
Your data is stored on secure servers located in the EU.

8.2. Service providers

• Google Analytics (GA4)
• Akismet (spam detection)
• Gravatar (for blog comments only)

These providers process data according to their own privacy policies.

9. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate data
• Delete your data (“right to be forgotten”)
• Export your data
• Withdraw consent
• Restrict processing
• Object to processing
• File a complaint with the Finnish Data Protection Ombudsman (Tietosuojavaltuutetun toimisto)

To exercise your rights, contact:

contact@mysecondfrenchhome.com

10. Newsletter Emails

If you subscribe to our newsletter:

• We use your email only for sending newsletters
• You can unsubscribe at any time
• We process this data based on your consent

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be announced on this page.

12. Contact

For privacy questions or GDPR requests:

contact@mysecondfrenchhome.com