Privacy Policy

Last updated: 8 July 2026

My Second French Home (“MSFH”, “we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you visit our website mysecondfrenchhome.com.

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 of https://mysecondfrenchhome.com.

1. Data Controller

The data controller for this website is:

contact@mysecondfrenchhome.com

You may use this email for all privacy‑related inquiries, including requests to access, correct, or delete your personal data.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal data in the following situations:

2.1. When you contact us

If you send a message through our contact form or email us directly, we collect:

• your name (if provided)
• your email address
• the content of your message

2.2. Newsletter sign‑ups

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect:

• your email address
• your consent to receive emails

You may unsubscribe at any time.

2.3. Comments on blog posts

When you leave a comment, we collect:

• the data shown in the comment form
• your IP address and browser user agent (for spam protection)

We use a default WordPress avatar (“Mystery Person”).
We do not use Gravatar or send any data to Gravatar.

2.4. Automatically collected data

When you visit MSFH, we automatically collect standard analytics data such as:

• IP address (anonymized)
• browser type
• device type
• pages visited
• time spent on the site
• referring website

We use tools such as Google Analytics or similar services to understand how visitors use the site.

2.5. Cookies

We use cookies for:

• website performance
• analytics
• remembering newsletter subscription status
• supporting embedded content (e.g., Vimeo videos, Pinterest embeds)

You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

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

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

We rely on your consent for:

• newsletter subscriptions
• analytics cookies
• non‑essential cookies

You may withdraw consent at any time.

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

We process certain data to:

• maintain website security
• prevent spam
• improve site performance
• understand visitor behavior

These interests are balanced against your privacy rights.

4. Embedded Content

Articles may include embedded content such as:

• Vimeo videos
• Pinterest pins or boards
• maps
• other external media

Embedded content behaves as if you visited the external website directly. These services may collect data according to their own privacy policies.

5. Affiliate Links

MSFH does not currently use affiliate links or participate in affiliate programs. If this changes in the future, this Privacy Policy will be updated.

6. How Long We Keep Your Data

6.1. Contact form messages

Kept until we respond or until you request deletion.

6.2. Newsletter data

Kept until you unsubscribe.

6.3. Comments

Kept indefinitely unless you request removal.

6.4. Analytics data

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

6.5. Backups

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

7. Who We Share Your Data With

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

We share data only with:

7.1. Hosting provider

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

7.2. Service providers

• Google Analytics (analytics)
• Gravatar (for blog comments only)

These providers process data according to their own privacy policies.

8. 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

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page.

10. Contact

For privacy questions or GDPR requests:

contact@mysecondfrenchhome.com