Effective Date: December 29, 2025
GDPR Compliance Statement
This GDPR Compliance Statement explains how bmerrells.net respects the data protection rights of visitors from the European Union and European Economic Area. We are committed to transparency and empowering you to control your personal information.
Scope and Who This Applies To
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to individuals located in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). If you are visiting bmerrells.net from these regions, you have specific rights regarding your personal data.
As an informational website focused on international dating guidance, bmerrells.net processes limited personal data. We primarily collect analytics information (such as pages visited and browser type) and use cookies to improve site functionality. We do not collect sensitive personal information such as names, addresses, or payment details directly through our site.
This statement outlines the legal bases for our data processing activities, your rights under GDPR, and how you can exercise those rights at any time.
Legal Bases for Processing
Under GDPR, we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. We rely on two primary legal bases:
Your GDPR Rights
Under GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data. You can exercise these rights at any time by contacting us using the information provided at the end of this statement.
Right of Access
You have the right to request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and to receive a copy of that data. We will provide this information in a commonly used electronic format.
How to exercise: Email us with "GDPR Access Request" in the subject line.
Right to Rectification
If you believe any personal data we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request correction. We will update the information promptly.
How to exercise: Contact us specifying which data needs correction and provide accurate information.
Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)
You can request deletion of your personal data when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or if you withdraw consent. Note that we may need to retain certain data for legal compliance.
How to exercise: Email us with "GDPR Erasure Request" in the subject line.
Right to Restriction of Processing
You can request that we limit how we use your personal data in certain circumstances, such as while we verify the accuracy of disputed data or assess the lawfulness of processing.
How to exercise: Contact us explaining why you want processing restricted.
Right to Data Portability
You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. You can also request that we transmit this data directly to another controller where technically feasible.
How to exercise: Email us with "GDPR Portability Request" in the subject line, specifying the format you prefer.
Right to Object
You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interest or for direct marketing purposes. If you object, we will cease processing unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds that override your interests.
How to exercise: Contact us stating your objection and the specific processing activity you want to stop.
Data Retention and International Transfers
Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected:
- Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Retained for up to 12 months, or until you delete them
- Analytics data: Aggregated and anonymized after 26 months (Google Analytics default)
- Marketing data: Retained while you are an active visitor; purged after 24 months of inactivity
Once data is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it so that you can no longer be identified.
International Transfers
Some of the services we use to operate bmerrells.net (such as analytics providers and content delivery networks) may process data in countries outside the EU/EEA, including the United States. When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:
- We work with providers that comply with GDPR requirements and use Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
- We conduct data protection impact assessments for high-risk transfers
- We minimize data transfers and use anonymization where possible
For more information about specific third-party services we use, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
How to Submit GDPR Requests
Exercising your GDPR rights is straightforward. Follow these steps to submit a request:
- Send an email to our data protection contact: Include "GDPR Request" in the subject line along with the specific right you want to exercise (Access, Erasure, Portability, etc.). Email us at: [email protected]
- Provide identifying information: To verify your identity and protect your data from unauthorized access, include details that help us locate your data (such as IP address, approximate dates of visits, or browser information if available).
- Specify your request clearly: Explain exactly what you want us to do (e.g., "Please provide a copy of all personal data you hold about me" or "Please delete all my personal data from your systems").
- We will respond within 30 days: GDPR requires us to respond to requests within one month. If your request is complex, we may extend this period by two additional months and will notify you of the extension and reasons.
- No charge for most requests: We do not charge fees for exercising your GDPR rights unless your request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, in which case we may charge a reasonable administrative fee.
Contact Information
For any questions about this GDPR Compliance Statement, or to exercise your data rights, please contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bmerrells.net
We are committed to protecting your privacy and will respond to all legitimate requests in accordance with GDPR requirements.