Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 2025

Open Media SA (“we”, “our”, “us”) operates the Essential Algarve website (www.essential-algarve.com), a luxury lifestyle publication primarily aimed at English-speaking residents, tourists, and Portuguese readers. We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

This Privacy Policy (together with our Terms of Website Use) explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

For data protection purposes, the data controller is:

Open Media SA
Parque Empresarial do Algarve,
Lote 7, 8401-901 Lagoa, Portugal
Email: [email protected]

1. Information We May Collect From You

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

• 1.1 Information you provide by filling in forms on our website, including when you register, subscribe, request services, or post content.
• 1.2 Records of any correspondence you send us.
• 1.3 Responses to surveys (optional) used for research purposes.
• 1.4 Details of transactions you carry out through our website.
• 1.5 Technical data from your visits, including IP addresses, browser type, traffic and location data, weblogs, and pages accessed.

2. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to enhance user experience and analyze website traffic. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

• 2.1 Cookies help us:
  • Analyze traffic and usage patterns;
  • Store your preferences;
  • Recognize you on return visits;
  • Improve website functionality.
• 2.2 You can manage cookie preferences using our cookie banner or through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality.
• 2.3 For detailed information, see our Cookie Policy.
• 2.4 We are not responsible for cookies used by third-party advertisers.

3. How We Store and Protect Your Data

• 3.1 Your data may be transferred and stored outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Where this occurs, we implement appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.
• 3.2 All data is stored securely. We use encryption and access controls to protect your information.
• 3.3 Unfortunately, data transmission via the internet is never 100% secure. We will do our best to protect your personal data, but we cannot guarantee its security during transit.
• 3.4 If you are given a password to access certain site features, it is your responsibility to keep it confidential.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

• 4.1
  • Present website content effectively;
  • Provide services or information you request;
  • Fulfill contractual obligations;
  • Notify you of service changes;
  • Enable interactive features.
• 4.2 With your consent, we or selected third parties may contact you with information about products or services of interest.
• 4.3 We will only send marketing communications by email where you have explicitly opted in.
• 4.4 You can withdraw consent at any time by emailing [email protected] or clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails.

5. Disclosure of Your Information

We may share your personal data with:

• 5.1 Other companies within our corporate group.
• 5.2 Third parties:
  • In the event of a business sale or acquisition;
  • To comply with legal obligations;
  • To enforce our Terms of Use;
  • For fraud prevention or credit checks (e.g., to credit reference agencies).

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data;
• Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data;
• Erase your data (right to be forgotten);
• Restrict or object to processing;
• Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent);
• Data portability – receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format;
• Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected].

7. Data Retention

We retain your data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, and to meet legal, regulatory, tax, or accounting requirements.

8. External Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. These sites have their own privacy policies, and we do not accept responsibility or liability for them. Please review those policies before submitting personal data.

9. Access Requests

You may request access to the personal data we hold about you. We may charge a small administrative fee, where permitted by law, to process your request.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page and, where appropriate, notified by email. Significant changes will require renewed consent if the purpose of data use changes.

11. Contact

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy, please contact:

Open Media SA
Parque Empresarial do Algarve, Lote 7,
8401-901 Lagoa, Portugal
Email: [email protected]

 

 

Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

Essential Algarve is operated by Open Media SA, Parque Empresarial do Algarve 7, 8401-901 Lagoa, Portugal.
By using this website or submitting a contact form, you agree to these Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy.

2. Definitions

• “User” refers to any person accessing or using the Essential Algarve website.
• “Contact Submission” refers to any Name and Email submitted via the website’s contact form.

3. Site Use & Contact

Users may freely browse all public content on the website.
By submitting your Name and Email through the contact form, you confirm the accuracy of the information and consent to be contacted regarding your inquiry.
You must not misuse the website, including attempting unauthorized access, introducing malware, or scraping content.

4. User Contributions

If user-generated content is ever allowed (e.g., comments), you grant Essential Algarve a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and modify such content for site-related purposes.
You confirm that any content submitted does not infringe third-party rights.

5. Intellectual Property

All website content—including text, images, design, and layout—is the property of Open Media SA and protected by applicable copyright and trademark laws.
You may view or print pages for personal, non-commercial use only. Any other use requires prior written permission.

6. Advertising

The website may feature third-party advertisements or sponsorships. These do not constitute endorsements unless explicitly stated.
We reserve the right to remove or refuse any advertisement that does not meet our standards or violates applicable law.

7. Disclaimers & Liability

We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation of the website.
To the extent permitted by law, Open Media SA disclaims liability for any indirect or consequential damages arising from your use of the website.

8. Privacy & Data Protection

All data collected through the contact form (Name and Email) is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and relevant data protection laws.

9. Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Portugal.
Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Portuguese courts.

10. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms & Conditions at any time. Any changes will be effective once posted on this page.