Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how The Garage Log (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards information when you access or use https://thegaragelog.com (the “Site”). It also outlines the choices and rights you may have in relation to your information.

By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not accept these terms, please discontinue use of the Site.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to operate a reliable resource for residential garage care, maintenance tips, and related tools. The information we collect falls into the following categories:

A. Personal Information
“Personal Information” means data that identifies you or can be associated with you. We collect it when you voluntarily submit it to us. This may include:

  • Contact Data: Your name, phone number, or other details you provide when you request guidance, submit a question, sign up for updates, or use our contact form.
  • Account Data: If the Site offers account features, we may collect a username, password, and profile details you choose to add.
  • Communication Data: Records of your messages and inquiries sent through our forms and any follow-up correspondence.
  • Transaction and Billing Data: If you purchase a product or service through the Site, we collect information necessary to complete the transaction (e.g., billing address and partial payment details). Payments are processed by third-party providers; we do not store full payment card numbers on our servers.
  • User Contributions: Comments, ratings, project photos, or other content you post in public areas of the Site.

B. Non-Personal Information
We also collect information that does not directly identify you, often automatically as you browse the Site:

  • Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring/exit pages, and general location at a city/country level to understand what garage topics are most helpful.
  • Device Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and similar technical details used to keep the Site secure and functioning.

C. Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies, pixels, and comparable technologies to recognize your browser, remember preferences, and measure engagement with our content.

  • Cookies: Small files stored on your device. You can configure your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are set. Some Site features may not function properly without cookies.
  • How We Use Cookies:
    • To remember preferences such as saved checklists or measurement inputs for garage projects.
    • To analyze aggregate traffic and interactions so we can improve articles, guides, and tools.
    • To support advertising and retargeting where permitted (see “Advertising” below).

2. How We Use Your Information

We process information for the following purposes:

  • Operate and Maintain the Site: Provide access to our garage care content, tools, and interactive features.
  • Process Transactions: Fulfill purchases, manage orders or subscriptions, and handle returns or support requests.
  • Communicate with You: Respond to inquiries, provide updates related to your account or requests, and send administrative notices such as policy or security updates.
  • Marketing: With your consent where required, send newsletters or promotions related to residential garage maintenance and improvements. You can opt out at any time.
  • Personalization: Tailor content and recommendations based on your interests and Site activity.
  • Improve the Site: Analyze usage to refine our guides, checklists, and user experience.
  • Legal and Security: Detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents and protect our rights and users.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (For EEA and UK Users)

Where European or UK data protection laws apply, we process your information under one or more of the following legal bases:

  • Performance of a Contract: To provide services or deliver products you request.
  • Legitimate Interests: To operate, secure, and improve the Site, conduct analytics, and communicate with you in ways that do not override your rights and freedoms.
  • Consent: For activities such as certain marketing or cookies where consent is required. You may withdraw consent at any time.
  • Legal Obligation: To comply with laws and regulatory requirements.

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share information in the following circumstances:

  • Service Providers: With trusted vendors that host our Site, provide analytics, deliver communications, process payments, or support our operations. They are required to handle data only on our instructions and protect it appropriately.
  • Business Transfers: If we undergo a reorganization, merger, or asset transfer, your information may be part of the transaction.
  • Legal Requirements and Protection: When necessary to comply with law, enforce our terms, protect our rights or users, or respond to lawful requests.
  • With Your Direction or Consent: When you ask us to share information or expressly authorize a disclosure.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your Personal Information for third parties’ direct marketing.

5. Advertising

We may work with advertising and measurement partners to display interest-based ads and assess the effectiveness of campaigns. These partners may set or read cookies and similar technologies to understand your activity across sites and deliver more relevant ads. You can manage ad personalization through your browser or device settings and by adjusting cookie preferences where available.

6. Data Security

We implement technical and organizational measures designed to protect Personal Information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls, and safeguards aligned with industry practices. No online system can be guaranteed 100% secure, and we cannot promise absolute security. We continually review and improve our defenses to reduce risk.

7. Data Retention

We keep Personal Information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy, including meeting legal, accounting, or reporting obligations. Retention periods consider the type and sensitivity of the data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure, and the purposes for which the data is processed.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may be able to exercise the following rights over your Personal Information:

  • Access and Portability: Request a copy of your Personal Information.
  • Rectification: Ask us to correct or complete inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
  • Restriction: Request that we limit processing under certain conditions.
  • Objection: Object to processing, including for direct marketing.
  • Withdraw Consent: Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

To submit a request, please use our contact form at https://thegaragelog.com/contact-us/. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request and will respond in accordance with applicable laws.

9. International Transfers

We may process and store information in countries other than your own, where data protection laws may differ. When we transfer Personal Information internationally, we take appropriate steps to help ensure your data is protected in line with this Policy and applicable legal requirements.

10. “Do Not Track” Signals

The Site does not respond to Do Not Track (DNT) signals. You can manage cookie and tracking preferences using your browser or device settings.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Site is intended for use by adults. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from individuals under 16. If you believe a child has provided Personal Information to us, please reach out via our contact page so we can remove the data.

12. Third-Party Links

Our content may include links to websites or services we do not operate, including retailer or affiliate links used for product recommendations relevant to garage care. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. Review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted indicates acceptance of the revised Policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how The Garage Log handles your information, please contact us through our form at https://thegaragelog.com/contact-us/.