Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

Albania Uncovered ("we", "us", "our") is a tourism marketplace platform connecting travellers with local tour guides across Albania. We are the data controller of the personal information collected through albaniauncovered.com. You can contact our data team at info@albaniauncovered.com.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly and information generated by your use of the platform:

• Account Data: Full name, email address, password (hashed), and profile photo.
• Booking Data: Tour selections, travel dates, guest numbers, and special requests.
• Communication Data: Messages sent through the platform between you and guides.
• Payment Data: Transaction references and amounts. We do not store full card numbers — payment processing is handled by third-party providers.
• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, time and date of visits, referring URLs, and device information.
• Cookies & Tracking: Session cookies, analytics cookies, and preference cookies. See Section 7 for full details.

You are responsible for the accuracy of all information you provide. Submitting false information constitutes a breach of our Terms & Conditions and may result in legal consequences.

3. How We Use Your Information

• To create and manage your account and verify your identity.
• To process, confirm, and manage tour bookings.
• To facilitate communication between you and tour guides.
• To process payments and issue booking confirmations.
• To send transactional emails (booking confirmations, cancellations, reminders).
• To send promotional communications where you have given consent (you may opt out at any time).
• To monitor platform safety and detect fraudulent or abusive activity.
• To comply with legal obligations, including responding to lawful requests from authorities.
• To enforce our Terms & Conditions and pursue legal action where necessary.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal grounds:

• Contract: Processing is necessary to fulfil a booking or service you have requested.
• Legitimate Interests: To prevent fraud, protect the platform, and improve our services.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with Albanian law and applicable regulations.
• Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share it with:

• Tour Guides: Booking details necessary to fulfil your tour.
• Payment Processors: For secure transaction handling.
• Email & Hosting Providers: Who process data solely on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Law Enforcement & Courts: Where required by law or where we need to protect our legal rights, investigate fraud, or take legal action against a user.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger or acquisition, with notice provided to you.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. We will also retain data as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Booking and transaction records may be retained for up to 7 years to comply with Albanian financial regulations.

7. Cookies

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the platform to function (login sessions, security tokens). Cannot be disabled.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use the site (e.g. Google Analytics). Can be disabled.
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and language preferences.

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

8. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords, and restricted access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. Albania Uncovered accepts no liability for unauthorised access resulting from your failure to keep your password secure.

9. Your Rights

Subject to Albanian law, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Delete your account and associated data, subject to our legal retention obligations.
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time.
• Lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in Albania.

To exercise your rights, email us at info@albaniauncovered.com. We will respond within 30 days.

10. Children's Privacy

Our platform is not directed at children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately so we can remove it.

11. No Liability for User-Provided Information

Albania Uncovered cannot verify the accuracy of all information submitted by users. You are solely responsible for the truth and accuracy of any information you provide. If false information leads to harm — to you, to another user, to a guide, or to the platform — you bear full legal and financial responsibility. We will cooperate fully with law enforcement and legal proceedings in such cases.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Material changes will be communicated by email or site notification. Continued use of the platform after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance.

13. Contact Us

For any privacy-related questions or data requests, contact us at:
info@albaniauncovered.com
Albania Uncovered, Albania