Privacy Policy

Essential Algarve is operated by Open Media SA (“we”, “our”, “us”). We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect personal data when you visit essential-algarve.com, in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and applicable Portuguese data protection law, including Law No. 58/2019.

 

  1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for the processing of your personal data is:

Open Media SA
Parque Empresarial do Algarve, Lote 7
8401-901 Lagoa
Portugal

Email: [email protected]

 

  1. Personal Data We Collect

We collect only the minimum personal data necessary to operate and maintain our website.

2.1 Information you provide directly

  • Name and email address when you contact us via email or a contact form
  • Any information you voluntarily include in your message

2.2 Automatically collected technical data

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

  • IP address (processed in anonymised or truncated form where possible)
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system and device type
  • Pages visited and general usage statistics

This data is used only for basic analytics, security, and website improvement.

 

  1. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data based on the following legal grounds under GDPR:

  • Consent – when you voluntarily contact us
  • Legitimate interests – to operate, secure, and improve our website
  • Legal obligation – where required to comply with applicable laws or regulations

 

  1. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to ensure the proper functioning of our website and to understand how visitors use it.

Cookies may be used to:

  • Enable essential site functionality
  • Collect anonymous usage statistics
  • Improve website performance and content

When required by law, cookies that are not strictly necessary are only set after obtaining user consent via a cookie banner. You can manage or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect certain site functions.

Further information is available in our Cookie Policy.

 

  1. How We Use Personal Data

We use personal data only for the following purposes:

  • To respond to enquiries and communications sent to us
  • To operate, maintain, and improve the website
  • To monitor website usage and performance
  • To ensure website security and prevent abuse
  • To comply with legal and regulatory obligations

We do not sell personal data and do not use it for unsolicited marketing.

 

  1. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share personal data only where necessary, including with:

  • Trusted service providers who support website operation and security
  • Public authorities or regulators where required by law

All service providers are required to process personal data in accordance with GDPR and applicable data protection laws.

We do not transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area unless appropriate legal safeguards are in place.

 

  1. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law.
Communications sent to us are stored only as long as needed to respond or for legitimate record-keeping purposes, after which they are securely deleted.

 

  1. Your Rights

Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

  1. Access your personal data
  2. Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data
  3. Request erasure of your personal data
  4. Restrict processing of your data
  5. Object to certain types of processing
  6. Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
  7. Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
  8. Lodge a complaint with the Portuguese Data Protection Authority

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

Supervisory authority:
Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD)
Website: www.cnpd.pt

 

  1. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including:

  • Secure servers and access controls
  • Encryption where appropriate
  • Regular security reviews

While we take reasonable steps to safeguard data, no system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

In the event of a personal data breach that poses a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms, we will notify the relevant authorities and affected users as required by law.

 

  1. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that such data has been collected, it will be deleted promptly.

 

  1. External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites they visit.

 

  1. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or our practices. Any updates will be published on this page with a revised effective date.

 

  1. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal data is handled, please contact:

Open Media SA
Parque Empresarial do Algarve, Lote 7
8401-901 Lagoa
Portugal

Email: [email protected]

Effective date: January 2026

 

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