This policy explains what personal information Yovada collects when you use yovada.com, why we collect it, how long we keep it and the rights you have over it. We have written it to be read, not skimmed past, so it is as short and plain as we can make it.

Who we are

Yovada publishes independent research and intelligence for the wellness industry, including statistics, market reports, guides and side-by-side comparisons. For the purposes of data protection law, Yovada is the controller of the personal information described in this policy.

If you have any question about this policy or about your information, you can reach us through our contact page.

The short version

  • We collect very little: mainly what you choose to send us.
  • We never sell your personal information.
  • We use Google Analytics to understand, in aggregate, how the site is used. We do not use advertising cookies.
  • You can ask to see, correct or delete your information at any time.

Information we collect

Information you give us. When you send us a message through our contact form, we receive your name, your email address, the topic you choose and anything you write in your message. If you work with us as a brand, we also hold the business contact details and correspondence needed to deliver the project.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, our hosting provider records basic technical information when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type, device, the page you came from and the pages you request. We use this only to keep the site secure and fix problems. We also use Google Analytics to see, in aggregate, which pages are read and how people find them (see Cookies and analytics).

Information we do not collect. We do not ask for, and ask you not to send us, sensitive information such as details about your health. Our guides are general information, and we do not need personal health details to answer your questions.

How we use your information

We use your information to:

  • reply to your message and handle research questions, corrections, press and partnership enquiries;
  • prepare proposals and deliver research or other services that a brand has asked us for;
  • keep the website secure and working properly;
  • meet our legal, accounting and tax obligations.

We do not use the details from your message for marketing unless you have asked us to, and we never sell or rent your personal information to anyone.

Under UK and EU data protection law (the GDPR), we must have a legal basis for using your information. We rely on:

  • Legitimate interests to answer messages you send us, to keep the site secure and to understand, in aggregate, how the site is used. Replying to someone who has contacted us is something you would reasonably expect.
  • Contract when we prepare a proposal for, or deliver services to, a brand or business.
  • Legal obligation when we need to keep business records, such as invoices.
  • Consent where we ask for it, for example if you ask to receive updates from us. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Cookies and analytics

Necessary storage. The site may store small amounts of information in your browser that are needed for it to work, such as remembering your interface preferences. These do not identify you and are not shared with anyone.

Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics 4, provided by Google, to understand how visitors use the site, for example which pages are read, how long visits last, which site or search brought you here, and your approximate location, device and browser. Google Analytics sets cookies (such as _ga) to tell visits apart. We use this information only in aggregate, to improve our content, and we do not use it to identify you or to show you advertising.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, or stop Google Analytics from collecting data about your visits with Google’s opt-out browser add-on. Google’s own privacy policy explains how Google handles this data.

Yovada does not use advertising cookies or cross-site advertising trackers. If we add any other non-essential cookies, we will update this policy and, where the law requires it, ask for your consent first.

Who we share it with

We share personal information only with trusted service providers that help us run Yovada, and only as far as they need it to provide their service. These include our website hosting provider, our analytics provider (Google Analytics), the service that delivers contact form messages to us, and our email provider. They act on our instructions and must protect your information.

We may also disclose information if the law requires it, or to protect the rights and safety of Yovada, our readers or others.

International transfers

Some of our service providers are based in, or store data in, countries outside the UK and the European Economic Area, including the United States. Where this happens, we make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as the standard contractual clauses approved for this purpose.

How long we keep it

  • Contact form messages: up to 24 months after our last exchange, so we can follow up on the same subject, then deleted.
  • Business and project records: as long as the law requires for accounting and tax purposes, usually six years.
  • Technical logs: kept by our hosting provider for a short period, normally no longer than 30 days.
  • Analytics data: kept in Google Analytics for no longer than 14 months, then deleted automatically.

Your rights

You have the right to:

  • ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
  • ask us to correct information that is wrong or incomplete;
  • ask us to delete your information;
  • object to, or ask us to restrict, how we use it;
  • ask us to transfer it to you or to another organisation;
  • withdraw consent at any time, where we rely on consent.

To use any of these rights, contact us through our contact page. We will reply within one month. If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, you also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority. In the UK, this is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk).

Children

Yovada is written for adults and is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has sent us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes to our website, our services or the law. When we do, we will change the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. If a change is significant, we will make that clear on the site.