Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy

Information notice issued pursuant to Art. 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).

1. Data Controller

The Data Controller for the personal data collected through this platform is:

Tecno.Glob.In. di Gadotti Mauro
Registered Office: Via delle Stonfe, 4 - 38057 Pergine Valsugana (TN) Italy
VAT ID: IT02023070226 | Tax Code: GDTMRA72C27E565B
Privacy Contact Email: privacy@bigfishingpassion.com

2. Personal Data Collected

The Platform collects the following types of personal data:

• Authentication Data: First name, last name, email address and, where applicable, public profile data provided by social login providers (Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook) processed through Firebase.
• Browsing and Tracking Data: IP addresses, system logs, and platform usage data collected via Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Meta Pixel, and Google Ads (Conversion Tracking and Remarketing) for statistical analysis, conversion tracking, and targeted advertising campaigns. For authenticated users, GA4 may associate browsing activities with a unique, pseudonymized alphanumeric identifier (User ID), which does not allow third parties or Google to directly identify the user's real-world identity.
• Billing Data: Collected and securely processed by third-party payment gateways for subscription management.
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Images, texts, and descriptions voluntarily uploaded by users registered as "Guides".
• Communication Data: The content of messages exchanged between Anglers and Guides via the internal contact form. These communications are processed for email forwarding and securely stored within the Platform's databases.

3. Purposes of Data Processing

User data is collected to allow the Data Controller to provide its Services, as well as for the following purposes:

• Service provision, user registration, and account management.
• Responding to support requests or inquiries.
• Marketing and Newsletter: Sending commercial and promotional communications (upon explicit consent).
• Remarketing and Behavioral Targeting: Displaying personalized advertisements using Meta Pixel and Google Ads (upon explicit consent).
• User Contact Management: Forwarding contact requests from Anglers to Guides and storing message history. Storage is necessary to allow users to keep track of agreements made and to protect the Data Controller in the event of reports, disputes, or messaging misuse.
• Statistical Analysis and Service Improvement: Measuring website performance and understanding platform usage through aggregated statistical data, which may also be associated with a pseudonymized User ID (upon explicit consent).

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data based on the following legal conditions:

• Performance of a Contract: For account registration, platform usage, and subscription management.
• Explicit Consent: For newsletters, marketing communications, advanced tracking, and profiling cookies.
• Legitimate Interest: For platform security and fraud prevention.

5. Location of Processing and Extra-EU Data Transfers

Data is processed primarily at the Data Controller's operating offices and on servers located within the European Economic Area (EEA).

However, the use of third-party service providers (such as Google Cloud/Firebase, Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Meta) may involve data transfers to the United States. Such transfers are conducted in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 based on adequacy decisions by the European Commission (Data Privacy Framework) and/or Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) executed with the respective providers.

6. Data Retention Period

Personal data collected will be stored only for as long as strictly necessary to fulfill the described purposes:

• Account and Profile Data: Retained until the user requests account deletion or deactivation.
• Billing Data: Retained for 10 years, in compliance with tax and statutory accounting obligations.
• Communication Data (Internal Messages): Retained for the duration of the account or until a deletion request is made, and in any case for the period necessary to protect the Data Controller's legal rights.
• Tracking and Marketing Data (GA4, Google Ads, Pixel, User ID): Retained within the limits set by third-party platforms and until consent is revoked by the user (e.g., standard GA4 retention set to 14 months).

7. Processing of Minors' Data

Platform registration is open. However, pursuant to Art. 8 of the GDPR, if the user is under 16 years of age, consent-based processing (including newsletters and marketing profiling) is lawful only if and to the extent that consent is given or authorized by the holder of parental responsibility.

8. User Rights (Arts. 15-22 GDPR)

Users have the right to access their data, request rectification, erasure ("right to be forgotten"), restriction of processing, data portability, and to object to processing for marketing purposes. These rights can be exercised by sending a written request to: privacy@bigfishingpassion.com.

Users also have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant Data Protection Authority (for Italy: www.garanteprivacy.it) if they believe their data processing violates the GDPR.

9. Extended Information on Cookies and Tracking Tools

The Platform uses cookies and similar tracking tools to ensure proper functionality, collect aggregated statistical usage data, and, upon User consent, personalize advertising content and perform profiling.

9.1 Types of Cookies Used

• Technical and Strictly Necessary Cookies: Essential for proper site operation, navigation, user authentication (via Firebase), and session management. They do not require User consent for installation.
• Analytics and Statistical Cookies (Google Analytics 4): Used to gather information about how users interact with the Platform (pages visited, session duration, interaction events). For authenticated users, this data may be processed in association with a unique, pseudonymized User ID. Installed strictly upon User consent.
• Profiling and Marketing Cookies (Meta Pixel & Google Ads): Used by third parties (e.g., Meta Platforms and Google LLC) to monitor user behavior, track advertising campaign conversions, and serve personalized or remarketing ads across search engines, display networks, and social platforms. Installed strictly upon explicit User consent via banner preferences (and in compliance with Google Consent Mode specifications).

9.2 Managing and Revoking Consent

Users can grant, modify, or revoke their consent for non-technical cookies at any time via the consent management banner on the site or through the dedicated preference link in the Platform footer.

Cookies can also be disabled or blocked directly through web browser settings:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies.
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data.
• Apple Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Block all cookies.
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data.

Disabling technical cookies completely or partially may impair essential Platform functions (such as login functionality or listing creation).