Who we are
What Is Saipan? (“we”, “us”, “our”) is an editorial website about Saipan and the Northern Mariana Islands. The party responsible for your personal data (the data controller) is:
Ryan Allen
83 Village Way
Beckenham, Kent
BR3 3NJ
United Kingdom
Email: [email protected]
This policy describes how we collect, use, and protect personal data when you use our website. We process personal data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, and we apply the same standards to visitors from other countries where practicable.
What personal data we collect
Depending on how you use the Site, we may process:
- Technical and usage data: such as IP address, browser type, device type, approximate location derived from IP, referring URL, pages viewed, and timestamps. This comes from hosting and security infrastructure, from analytics tools (see below), and from normal server logs.
- Cookies and similar technologies: as described in our Cookie Policy and managed where applicable through our cookie preference tools.
- Newsletter sign-ups: if you subscribe, we collect your email address, the fact that you agreed to this Privacy Policy (including the version shown to you), and optional context such as the page you signed up from (for example page title and URL). We may use a security check (such as Cloudflare Turnstile) to reduce spam; the provider may receive technical data as described in their own policy.
- Contact or other forms: if you submit a form on the Site, we collect the information you enter (for example name, email address, and message content) and related technical metadata needed to deliver and protect the service.
We do not operate public comments on articles. We do not ask you to create a public user account to read the Site.
Hosting, CDN, and analytics
Operating the Site involves services that process technical or usage data on our behalf:
- Hostinger — our website is hosted with Hostinger. They process requests to the Site and may log data such as IP addresses and request metadata as part of providing hosting and security.
- Cloudflare — our domain uses Cloudflare for DNS, performance, and security (including, where you see it, bot protection and Turnstile). Traffic to our site may pass through Cloudflare’s network, and Cloudflare may process IP addresses, device and browser characteristics, and related signals. See Cloudflare’s privacy policy.
- Google Analytics — we use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Site (for example pages viewed, referrals, and aggregated device or geography data). Google may use cookies or similar storage and receive technical identifiers and usage events. See Google’s Privacy Policy and Google Analytics data privacy. Where required, we rely on consent or settings managed through our cookie tools for non-essential analytics storage.
Other measurement tools we may add
We may enable additional analytics, advertising, or product-measurement tools from time to time—for example Meta Pixel (Meta Platforms) for ad or conversion measurement, PostHog or similar product analytics, or other tags and SDKs. When we add or change these tools, we will update this Privacy Policy and our Cookie Policy / banner where required, and we will use consent or another lawful basis as appropriate for non-essential technologies.
Why we use your data (legal bases)
We use personal data only where we have a lawful basis, including:
- Consent — where you accept non-essential cookies, subscribe to the newsletter, or otherwise opt in (you may withdraw consent at any time).
- Legitimate interests — for example operating and securing the Site, understanding aggregate readership, improving content, measuring effectiveness of editorial and advertising, and preventing abuse, where those interests are not overridden by your rights.
- Legal obligation — where we must comply with law or regulatory requests.
Newsletters and marketing
If you sign up, we use your email address to send the newsletter or related updates you asked for. You can unsubscribe using the link in those emails or by contacting us at [email protected]. Where we use double opt-in, we keep minimal records until you confirm.
We store newsletter-related data in our systems (and, if you later connect an email service provider, with that provider under appropriate terms) only as long as needed for the subscription, legal compliance, or our documented retention settings.
Advertising and embedded content
The Site may display advertising. Ad partners may use cookies or similar technologies to measure delivery and performance; those technologies may work together with tools such as Google Analytics or, if we enable them, Meta Pixel, subject to your choices where required. Articles may include embedded media or widgets from third parties; those services may collect data about you according to their own policies if you interact with them.
Who we share data with
We share personal data only with:
- Service providers who help us host, secure, email, analyse, or operate the Site—including Hostinger (hosting), Cloudflare (DNS, CDN, and security), Google (Analytics), and other providers we engage from time to time—under arrangements that require them to protect your data and use it only for our instructions.
- Professional advisers where required (for example lawyers or accountants).
- Authorities when we believe disclosure is required by law or to protect rights, safety, or security.
We do not sell your personal data.
International transfers
Some providers (including Google, Cloudflare, Hostinger, and Meta if we use their tools) may process data in the United States or other countries outside the UK. Where personal data is transferred to countries not deemed to provide an adequate level of protection, we use appropriate safeguards (such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or standard contractual clauses) where required by law.
How long we keep data
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes above, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Technical logs are kept for a limited period for security and troubleshooting. Analytics and advertising partners apply their own retention settings as described in their policies. Newsletter data is removed or anonymised when you unsubscribe or after the retention periods configured for our systems, unless we must keep certain records longer to meet legal obligations.
Security
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure; we encourage you to use strong passwords where relevant and to contact us if you suspect a problem.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you may have the right to:
- Access a copy of your personal data;
- Correct inaccurate data;
- Erase data in certain circumstances;
- Restrict or object to certain processing;
- Data portability where applicable;
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
- Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
To exercise these rights, contact [email protected]. UK residents may also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Children
The Site is not directed at children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their personal data. If you believe we have done so, please contact us and we will delete it where appropriate.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The Last updated date shown on this page reflects the latest version. For newsletter sign-ups we may also show a policy version string so you can see whether you are agreeing to the current text.
Contact
Questions about this policy or your personal data: [email protected] or the postal address above.