🔐 Privacy Policy

The TL;DR Version

We collect only what we need, we don't sell your data (seriously, never), and you can delete your stuff anytime. If that's all you need to know, cool, but we encourage you to read the full policy below because the devil is in the details (and so are your rights).

Who We Are

LaptopHunter is a laptop comparison and deal-finding service. We're not backed by shady data brokers or advertising conglomerates trying to build a digital profile of your soul. We just really, really like laptops and helping people find good deals on them.

Data Controller: LaptopHunter operates as the data controller for all personal information collected through our website.

Information We Collect

We only collect information when we genuinely need it to make your experience better. Here's the breakdown:

Information You Give Us Directly

• 📧Email Address: If you sign up for deal alerts, create an account, or contact us. We won't spam you with "amazing offers", just the deals you actually asked for.
• 💻Laptop Preferences: Your saved searches, favorite laptops, price alerts, and comparison lists. This helps us remember what you're looking for without you having to start from scratch every time.
• 📝Account Information: If you create an account, we store your username and any profile information you choose to provide.
• 💬Communications: When you contact our support team, we keep records of those conversations to help resolve your issues and improve our service.

Information We Collect Automatically

• 📊Usage Data: How you navigate our site, which deals you click on, search queries, and time spent on pages. This helps us understand what's working and what's more confusing than laptop naming schemes.
• 🌐Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, and referral URLs. Standard internet stuff that helps us ensure the site works properly across different setups.
• 🍪Cookies & Similar Technologies: Small files that remember your preferences and keep you logged in. More on this below.
• 📍Location Data: Approximate location (country/region) based on IP address to show relevant deals and pricing in your currency. We don't track your precise location, we're not that creepy.

Information from Third Parties

• 🔗Affiliate Partners: When you click through to a retailer and make a purchase, we may receive confirmation of the transaction (not your payment details) so we can earn a commission that keeps our site running.
• 🔐Authentication Providers: If you sign in with Google, Apple, or other third-party services, we receive basic profile information they share with us (name, email, profile picture).

How We Use Your Data

Your data isn't just sitting in a digital filing cabinet collecting dust. Here's what we actually do with it:

1. Provide and Improve Our Service: Power your searches, show personalized deal recommendations, remember your preferences, and generally make LaptopHunter not suck.
2. Send You Deal Alerts: If you opted in, we'll notify you when laptops matching your criteria drop in price. You can unsubscribe anytime (there's a link in every email).
3. Communicate With You: Respond to your questions, send important service updates, and occasionally share major new features (we promise to keep this minimal).
4. Analytics & Optimization: Understand how people use the site, identify bugs, test new features, and make data-driven improvements.
5. Security & Fraud Prevention: Detect suspicious activity, prevent abuse, and keep bad actors from scraping our data or gaming our systems.
6. Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws, respond to legal requests, and protect our rights and the rights of our users.

How We Share Your Data

Let's be crystal clear: We do NOT sell your personal information. Period. End of story.

However, we do share limited data with the following parties when necessary:

Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party companies that help us operate LaptopHunter:

• ☁️Hosting & Infrastructure: Cloud storage and server providers that keep our site online
• 📧Email Services: Providers that send your deal alerts and service emails
• 📊Analytics Tools: Services like Google Analytics that help us understand site usage
• 🛡️Security Services: Tools that protect against fraud, spam, and cyberattacks

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and can only use it for the specific services they provide to us.

Affiliate Partners & Retailers

When you click through to purchase a laptop, we may share limited information (like the fact that you came from LaptopHunter) to track the referral and earn a commission. We do NOT share your personal information, browsing history, or search queries with retailers.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or if we believe it's necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of LaptopHunter, our users, or the public
• Prevent fraud or security threats
• Enforce our Terms of Service

Business Transfers

If LaptopHunter is acquired by or merges with another company, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We'll notify you before your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Cookies aren't just delicious baked goods, they're also small text files that websites use to remember things about you. Here's what's in our cookie jar:

Types of Cookies We Use

• 🔑Essential Cookies: Keep you logged in, remember your cart, and make the site function. These are necessary and can't be disabled.
• ⚙️Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences like dark mode, currency, and saved searches.
• 📈Analytics Cookies: Help us understand which features are popular, where users get stuck, and how to improve the site.
• 🎯Marketing Cookies: Track which deals you've viewed so we can show relevant recommendations. We also use these for affiliate tracking when you click through to retailers.

Third-Party Cookies

We use services like Google Analytics, which may set their own cookies. These providers have their own privacy policies that govern how they use your data.

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing ones. Keep in mind that blocking cookies may impact site functionality, like having to log in every time or losing your saved preferences.

You can also use tools like:

• Browser extensions for cookie management
• Privacy-focused browsers (Firefox, Brave, etc.)
• The "Do Not Track" browser setting (though not all sites respect it)

Data Security

We take data security seriously (unlike laptop manufacturers take cooling solutions). Here's how we protect your information:

• 🔒Encryption: We use HTTPS encryption (SSL/TLS) to protect data transmitted between your browser and our servers.
• 🔐Secure Storage: Personal data is stored on secure servers with restricted access, regular backups, and industry-standard security measures.
• 🛡️Access Controls: Only authorized personnel can access personal data, and only when necessary to perform their job functions.
• 👀Monitoring: We actively monitor for security threats, suspicious activity, and unauthorized access attempts.
• 🔄Regular Updates: We keep our systems patched and up-to-date to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Data Retention

We don't hoard data like it's vintage laptop collection. We only keep your information as long as necessary:

• Active Accounts: We retain your data while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward in case you want to come back.
• Deleted Accounts: When you delete your account, we remove or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we're required to retain it for legal, tax, or audit purposes.
• Analytics Data: Aggregated, anonymized usage statistics may be retained indefinitely.
• Communications: Support conversations may be retained to improve our service and for legal compliance.
• Legal Requirements: Some data must be retained to comply with tax laws, dispute resolution, or other legal obligations.

Your Rights & Choices

Your data is yours, and you have significant control over it. Here are your rights:

Access & Portability

You can request a copy of your personal data in a machine-readable format. Think of it as a data takeout, all your info in one convenient package.

Correction

If your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can update it through your account settings or contact us to make corrections.

Deletion ("Right to Be Forgotten")

You can request deletion of your personal data. We'll comply unless we have a legitimate reason to retain it (like legal obligations or active disputes). You can usually delete your account directly through your account settings.

Opt-Out of Marketing

Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in any email we send, or adjust your preferences in your account settings. You'll still receive essential service-related communications.

Object to Processing

You can object to how we use your data in certain circumstances, particularly for direct marketing or processing based on legitimate interests.

Restrict Processing

You can request that we limit how we use your data while you're disputing its accuracy or objecting to processing.

Withdraw Consent

Where we process your data based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time. This won't affect the lawfulness of processing before you withdrew consent.

Lodge a Complaint

If you believe we've mishandled your data, you have the right to complain to your local data protection authority (if you're in the EU/EEA) or another relevant regulatory body.

International Data Transfers

The internet is global, and so is data. Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure adequate protections are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
• Data processing agreements with service providers
• Compliance with applicable data protection frameworks

If you're in the EU/EEA, please note that your data may be transferred to countries that don't have the same level of data protection as your home country, but we take measures to ensure it remains protected.

Children's Privacy

LaptopHunter is not intended for children under 16 (or under 13 in the US). We don't knowingly collect personal information from children. If you're a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we'll delete it.

If you're under 16, please ask your parent or guardian before using LaptopHunter or providing any personal information.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you're a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to Know: What personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: We don't sell personal information, but if we did, you could opt out
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We won't discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to Limit Use: Limit use of sensitive personal information

Shine the Light Law: California residents can request information about personal information disclosed to third parties for direct marketing purposes (though we don't do this).

Nevada Privacy Rights

Nevada residents have the right to opt out of the sale of their personal information. We don't sell personal information, but if you're a Nevada resident and want to exercise this right, contact us at [[email protected]].

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. Currently, there's no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals, and we don't respond to them at this time. However, you can control tracking through cookie settings and browser privacy features.

Changes to This Policy

Technology evolves, laws change, and sometimes we add new features. When we make material changes to this privacy policy, we'll:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
• Notify you via email (if you have an account)
• Display a prominent notice on the website
• Ask for your consent if required by law

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of LaptopHunter after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Third-Party Links

LaptopHunter contains links to retailer websites and other third parties. We're not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. When you leave LaptopHunter, we encourage you to read the privacy policies of every site you visit (we know, more reading, but it's important!).