Effective Date: 06/27/2025
This Privacy & Cookie Policy sets out how Driving Diary (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information obtained through our website, https://drivingdiary.com (“Website”), in compliance with applicable data protection and consumer protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guidelines.
1. Data Controller
The data controller for personal information collected via this Website is:
Driving Diary
📧 drivingdiaryofficial@gmail.com
🌐 https://drivingdiary.com/
2. Information We Collect
We may collect and process the following categories of data:
a. Information Provided Voluntarily
- Name and email address (e.g., for newsletters or contact forms)
- Comments and user-generated content
- Other information submitted directly by users
b. Information Collected Automatically
- IP address and location (as inferred from IP)
- Device type, browser version, operating system
- Access times, pages viewed, referring URL
- Cookie identifiers and analytics data
3. Legal Basis for Processing
Where applicable under UK GDPR, we process personal data based on the following lawful grounds:
- Consent (e.g., email marketing, non-essential cookies)
- Performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps
- Compliance with legal obligations
- Legitimate interests, provided they do not override your fundamental rights
4. Use of Personal Data
We process personal data for the following purposes:
- To operate and maintain the Website
- To respond to inquiries and user communications
- To send email newsletters where consent has been given
- To monitor and analyse site performance and usage
- To support affiliate partnerships and tracking mechanisms
- To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to facilitate the proper operation of the Website and to enhance user experience. These include:
- Essential cookies: Necessary for site functionality
- Analytics cookies: To understand how visitors use the site (e.g., Google Analytics)
- Marketing and affiliate cookies: To track referral activity from affiliate links
You will be presented with a cookie consent mechanism when visiting the Website, where applicable. You may withdraw consent at any time by adjusting your browser settings or by re-accessing the cookie preferences on our site.
6. Data Sharing and Transfers
We may share data with the following types of third parties:
- Hosting and IT service providers
- Analytics and traffic measurement services
- Email marketing platforms
- Affiliate networks and tracking providers
Where data is transferred outside of the UK/EEA, we ensure adequate safeguards are in place in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including standard contractual clauses or other lawful mechanisms.
7. Affiliate Disclosure
Driving Diary participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission when users click on links to third-party websites and make a purchase. These affiliate links are included throughout the Website and may be embedded in text, images, or buttons.
In accordance with FTC guidelines and applicable UK advertising regulations, we disclose the following:
- Affiliate links may generate revenue for us when users complete qualifying purchases.
- The inclusion of affiliate links does not influence our editorial content, product recommendations, or reviews.
- We only promote products and services that we believe are of genuine value to our readers.
By using this Website, you acknowledge and agree to our use of affiliate links as described.
8. Your Rights
a. UK and EEA Residents
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Request correction or deletion
- Restrict or object to processing
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
b. California Residents
Subject to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you may have the right to:
- Know what categories of personal information we collect and how we use it
- Request access to or deletion of personal information
- Opt out of any sale of personal information (we do not sell personal data as defined under CCPA)
- Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights
To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details in Section 11.
9. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or as required under applicable law. Data collected for marketing purposes is retained until consent is withdrawn or the user unsubscribes.
10. Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard personal data, including encryption, secure hosting, and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is entirely secure and users transmit information at their own risk.
11. Contact Information
For any inquiries related to this Privacy & Cookie Policy, or to exercise your rights under applicable law, please contact:
📧 drivingdiaryofficial@gmail.com
🌐 https://drivingdiary.com/
12. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy & Cookie Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of the current policy.