Privacy Policy
Last updated: 6/22/2025
Introduction
Welcome to When Aliens Come to Tea ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services.
Data Controller: When Aliens Come to Tea
Contact: whenalienscometotea@gmail.com
Legal Basis: We process your data based on legitimate interests, consent, and contractual necessity as outlined below.
Legal Compliance
This Privacy Policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other applicable data protection laws. You have specific rights regarding your personal data as outlined in the "Your Rights" section below.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Contact Information: Name, email address when subscribing to newsletter or contacting us
- User Content: Comments, feedback, and messages you submit through contact forms
- Account Data: If you create an account, we collect username, email, and authentication data
- Communication Records: Records of your interactions with our support team
Information Automatically Collected
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system
- Usage Analytics: Pages visited, time spent on site, click patterns, referral sources
- Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address (country/city level)
- Cookies: Essential cookies, analytics cookies, functional preferences (see Cookie Policy)
- Firebase Data: Authentication tokens, session data, and database interactions
How We Use Your Information
Service Provision (Legal Basis: Legitimate Interest)
- Provide and maintain our website and podcast content
- Enable user authentication and account management
- Process and respond to your inquiries
Marketing Communications (Legal Basis: Consent)
- Send newsletters and podcast updates (only with explicit consent)
- Notify you about new episodes and blog content
Analytics & Improvement (Legal Basis: Legitimate Interest)
- Analyze website usage patterns and performance
- Improve user experience and content quality
- Generate AI-powered content recommendations using Google Genkit
Legal Compliance (Legal Basis: Legal Obligation)
- Comply with applicable laws and regulations
- Respond to legal requests and prevent fraud
Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner or by adjusting your browser settings.
Types of Cookies We Use:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
- Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
- Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
Service Providers
- Google (Firebase & Analytics): Hosting, authentication, database, and analytics services
- Google Genkit: AI-powered content processing and recommendations
- Vercel: Website hosting and deployment
Legal Requirements
- When required by law or legal process
- To protect our rights, property, or safety
- To prevent fraud or illegal activities
With Your Consent
- Any other sharing will only occur with your explicit consent
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Correct inaccurate information
- Delete your personal information
- Restrict or object to processing
- Data portability
- Withdraw consent at any time
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for the following periods:
- Newsletter Subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
- Contact Form Data: 3 years for customer service purposes
- Analytics Data: 26 months (Google Analytics default retention)
- Account Data: Until account deletion is requested
- Cookie Consent: 1 year or until consent is withdrawn
- Legal Records: As required by applicable laws (typically 7 years)
International Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including:
- United States: Google Firebase, Google Analytics, and Vercel servers
- European Union: Some Google services may process data in EU data centers
We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through Google's compliance with Privacy Shield successor frameworks, Standard Contractual Clauses, and other approved transfer mechanisms in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. 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.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Email: whenalienscometotea@gmail.com
Website: Contact Form