Privacy policy
Last updated: 28 July 2026
1. What data we collect
- Account data: name, username, email address and password (always stored encrypted, never in plain text).
- Content you publish: sightings, photos, biography, comments, forum and pet posts, wish lists and favourites.
- Technical data: IP address and session cookies, solely to keep you logged in and to protect the platform from abuse.
2. What we use your data for
We use your data solely to:
- Provide the service: create your account, store your content and show it on your profile.
- Send you strictly necessary messages (for example, resetting your password).
- Keep the platform secure and prevent fraud or abuse.
We do not sell your personal data to third parties nor use it for advertising.
3. Who we share data with
We use external providers strictly as data processors, to deliver specific parts of the service:
- An image hosting provider, for the photos you upload.
- An email delivery provider, solely for transactional messages (such as password recovery).
- Google Analytics, only if you accept analytics cookies — to understand in aggregate and anonymous form how the platform is used. You can refuse at any time (see section 6).
4. How long we keep your data
We keep your data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we permanently erase your personal data and associated content, except for information we are required by law to retain.
5. Your rights
Under the GDPR, at any time you may:
- Access and correct your data from your profile.
- Delete your account and all your personal data from the “Edit profile” section.
- Object to the processing of your data or obtain a copy, by writing to us through the contact form.
6. Cookies
We use technical cookies, necessary for the platform to work, which do not require your permission. If you buy from the shop, Stripe (our payment provider) also sets its own technical fraud-prevention cookies during checkout, likewise exempt from consent because they are necessary to complete the purchase you asked for.
We also use Google Analytics analytics cookies to understand in aggregate and anonymous form how WAnimals is used — they are only switched on if you accept them in the notice shown the first time you visit. You can change your mind at any time from “Cookie preferences”, in the footer.
| Cookie | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| authjs.session-token | Technical (first party) | Keep you logged in | Until you log out |
| NEXT_LOCALE | Technical (first party) | Remember the chosen language | 1 year |
| wanimals-cookie-consent* | Technical (first party) | Remember your decision about cookies | Until you change it |
| _ga, _ga_* | Analytics (Google, third party) | Tell visits apart for aggregate statistics | Up to 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics (Google, third party) | Tell users apart in usage analysis | 24 hours |
| __stripe_mid, __stripe_sid | Technical (Stripe, third party) | Fraud prevention during checkout in the shop | 1 year / 30 min |
* This preference is saved in your browser's local storage, not as a cookie strictly speaking, but it serves the same purpose.
7. Security
Your password is always stored encrypted (never in plain text) and connections to the platform are encrypted with HTTPS.
8. Contact
For any query about privacy or to exercise your rights, write to us through our contact form.