Privacy Policy

Introduction

At NaturalForest.online (“we,” “us,” or “our”), we are committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of our visitors (“you” or “your”). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, naturalforest.online (the “Site”), engage with our content, or interact with features powered by Mediavine, Inc. (“Mediavine”) and its WordPress plugin, Grow (“Grow”). As we prepare to apply for Mediavine’s Journey program, a monetization solution for growing websites, we prioritize transparency and compliance with applicable privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

This policy applies solely to information collected through the Site and services managed by Mediavine or Grow. If you provide personal data beyond these services (e.g., through third-party platforms we link to), those activities are governed by the respective third-party privacy policies. By using the Site, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using the Site. For questions or to exercise your privacy rights, contact us at privacy@naturalforest.online.

Who We Are

NaturalForest.online is a platform dedicated to celebrating forests through high-quality, original content on ecology, conservation, outdoor adventures, and wellness. Launched in 2023, we aim to educate and inspire a global audience of nature enthusiasts while fostering sustainable practices. Our integration of Mediavine’s Grow plugin enhances user engagement and supports our goal of monetizing the Site through Mediavine’s Journey program, ensuring a fast, privacy-centric experience.

Information We Collect

We collect information to provide a personalized, engaging experience while complying with privacy regulations. The types of information we collect include:

Personal Data You Provide Voluntarily

  • Email Address: When you sign up for our newsletter via Grow Automailer or create a Grow account using a magic link, we collect your email address to deliver content updates or enable single sign-on (SSO) across Mediavine publisher sites.
  • Name and Contact Information: If you contact us directly (e.g., via email or contact forms), you may provide your name, email, or other details to facilitate communication.
  • User-Generated Content: Comments or feedback you submit on the Site may include personal information, which we process to moderate and display publicly.

Automatically Collected Information

  • IP Address: We log your IP address to identify your device, analyze traffic patterns, and enhance security.
  • Device and Browser Information: We collect data on your operating system, browser type, and device settings to optimize Site performance and ad delivery.
  • Usage Data: We track pages viewed, time spent on the Site, and referring websites to improve content and user experience. This includes Google Analytics data, which helps us monitor our 50,000-session goal for Mediavine eligibility.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use session and persistent cookies to personalize your experience, deliver targeted ads, and support Grow’s features (e.g., Spotlight Subscribe, Recommended Content). Cookies store data like your preferences or login status. You can manage cookie settings via our consent banner.

Information from Third Parties

  • Mediavine Publishers: Through Mediavine’s Ad Management service, we may receive anonymized data about your interactions with other Mediavine publisher sites to serve interest-based ads.
  • Trusted Partners: We may supplement automatically collected data with third-party insights to enhance ad targeting, ensuring compliance with privacy laws.

How We Collect Information

We collect information through:

  • Direct Interactions: When you provide data via forms, newsletter sign-ups, or Grow account creation.
  • Automated Technologies: Cookies, pixels, and server-to-server connections used by Mediavine and Grow collect data during your Site visit.
  • Third-Party Services: Mediavine’s ad partners or analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) supply aggregated data to improve our services.

If you create a Grow account, Mediavine collects only your email address for authentication, ensuring minimal data usage. We do not collect sensitive personal data (e.g., health or financial information) unless voluntarily provided in communications.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to enhance your experience, support our operations, and prepare for Mediavine monetization. Specific uses include:

  • Content Delivery: Sending newsletters or personalized recommendations via Grow’s features (e.g., Spotlight Subscribe).
  • Site Optimization: Analyzing usage data to improve navigation, content, and performance, ensuring compliance with Google’s Core Web Vitals for Mediavine eligibility.
  • Advertising: Delivering targeted ads through Mediavine’s Ad Management service, using first-party data collected by Grow to replace third-party cookies in a privacy-centric ecosystem.
  • Engagement: Encouraging return visits through Grow’s tools, like Recommended Content or social sharing buttons, which boost session duration and support our Mediavine application.
  • Security: Monitoring IP addresses to prevent fraud or unauthorized access.
  • Legal Compliance: Processing data to meet obligations under GDPR, CCPA, and other laws.

We retain data only as long as necessary for these purposes or as required by law. For example, ad-related data from Mediavine is retained for the browser session, while email addresses for newsletters are kept until you unsubscribe.

How We Share Your Information

We share information only as necessary to operate the Site, comply with laws, or support Mediavine’s services. Recipients include:

  • Mediavine and Grow: Mediavine processes your email (for Grow accounts or newsletters) and anonymized data (for ads) to provide SSO, engagement tools, and targeted advertising. Mediavine shares this data with its ad partners, ensuring compliance with privacy frameworks like IAB Europe’s Transparency & Consent Framework (Vendor ID 858).
  • Service Providers: Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics), email service providers (e.g., ConvertKit, MailChimp), and hosting services process data on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements.
  • Legal Authorities: We may disclose data to comply with legal obligations, respond to subpoenas, or protect our rights.
  • Business Transfers: If NaturalForest.online is sold or merged, your data may be transferred to the new owner, subject to this Privacy Policy.

We do not sell personal data under CCPA’s definition, but Mediavine’s ad targeting may constitute a “sale” in some jurisdictions. You can opt out via our consent banner or by contacting privacy@mediavine.com.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are essential for Site functionality and Mediavine’s services. We use:

  • Session Cookies: Expire when you close your browser, used for temporary data like ad delivery.
  • Persistent Cookies: Remain until deleted, supporting features like Grow’s login system or personalized ads.
  • Pixels and Beacons: Track user behavior for analytics and ad performance.

Grow’s first-party data solution collects authenticated data (e.g., email for SSO) to replace third-party cookies, enhancing ad revenue in a cookieless web. You can manage cookies via our consent banner, browser settings, or by opting out of personalized ads on Mediavine publisher sites. Note that disabling cookies may limit Site functionality.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights under GDPR, CCPA, or other laws, including:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
  • Correction: Update inaccurate data.
  • Deletion: Request removal of your data, subject to legal exceptions.
  • Opt-Out: Decline personalized ads or data “sales” under CCPA.
  • Restriction: Limit data processing in certain cases.
  • Portability: Receive your data in a structured format.

To exercise these rights, email privacy@naturalforest.online or privacy@mediavine.com for Mediavine-related data. We respond within 30 days (or 45 days for CCPA requests, if extended). If you’re in the EU, you may contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@naturalforest.online or file a complaint with your supervisory authority.

Children’s Privacy

We comply with COPPA and do not knowingly collect data from children under 13 (or 16 in some jurisdictions). Grow does not solicit information from users under 18. If we discover such data, we delete it promptly. Parents can contact us at privacy@naturalforest.online to request removal of a child’s data.

International Data Transfers

NaturalForest.online is hosted in the United States, and Mediavine’s servers are also U.S.-based. If you access the Site from outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to and stored in the U.S., where privacy laws differ. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer. We use Standard Contractual Clauses for GDPR compliance when transferring EU data.

Third-Party Links

The Site may link to third-party platforms (e.g., Pinterest, Instagram) or integrate with email services (e.g., ConvertKit). These services have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices. Review their policies before providing data.

Security Measures

We implement industry-standard measures to protect your data, including encryption, secure servers, and access controls. Mediavine’s Grow plugin is optimized for data security, ensuring minimal collection and safe storage. However, no online system is 100% secure. If a breach occurs, we will notify affected users as required by law.

Mediavine-Specific Disclosures

As we apply for Mediavine’s Journey program, we use Mediavine’s Ad Management and Grow services. Mediavine collects:

  • IP Address and Device Data: For ad delivery and analytics.
  • Email Address: For Grow accounts or newsletters, enabling SSO and personalized content.
  • Ad Interaction Data: Via cookies or pixels to serve targeted ads across its publisher network.

Mediavine’s privacy practices are detailed at mediavine.com/privacy-policy. To opt out of Mediavine’s data collection, visit their privacy portal or email privacy@mediavine.com. The following HTML, provided by Mediavine, is included to ensure compliance with their ad policies:

<p>Our website uses Mediavine to manage all third-party advertising. Mediavine serves ads when you visit our website, and may use cookies, pixels, or server-to-server connections to collect information such as your IP address, browser type, and pages viewed to deliver personalized ads. For more information about Mediavine’s data practices, including how to opt out, please see Mediavine’s <a href="https://www.mediavine.com/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a>.</p>

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, Mediavine’s services, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. For significant changes, we will notify you via email or a Site notice. Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your privacy rights, contact:

NaturalForest.online
Email: privacy@naturalforest.online
Address: 123 Forest Lane, Suite 100, Dover, DE 19901

Mediavine, Inc.
Email: privacy@mediavine.com
Address: 8 The Green, #20971, Dover, DE 19901

Additional Notes

This Privacy Policy is designed to support our Mediavine Journey application, ensuring compliance with their requirements for a robust privacy policy, clean traffic, and user-focused practices. We are committed to maintaining a privacy-first approach, leveraging Grow’s first-party data solution to build a sustainable, ad-supported business while respecting your rights.

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