Privacy & Cookies

Last updated: 25 August 2026.

This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is processed when you use balkansnetwork.com, contact BalkansNetwork, or use forms made available on the website. It should be read together with our Cookie Policy (EU).

1. Data controller and contact

The data controller for this website is Mauro Benigno, Founder of BalkansNetwork. Privacy and data-protection requests can be submitted through the contact page. Please identify the request as a privacy or data-protection request.

2. Data processed when you visit the website

Hosting, web-server and security systems may process technical information such as IP address, browser and device information, requested pages, timestamps, referrer information and diagnostic or security logs. This processing is necessary to deliver the website, maintain security, prevent abuse and investigate technical problems. The legal basis is the legitimate interest in operating a secure and reliable website and, where applicable, compliance with legal obligations.

3. Information you submit

If you contact BalkansNetwork or submit a form, the information you provide may be processed, including your name, email address, organisation, telephone number and the content of your message. This information is used to review and respond to your request, manage business or editorial communications, and take steps requested by you before entering into a possible professional relationship. Depending on the context, the legal basis is taking steps at your request, legitimate interests in responding to enquiries and managing communications, or consent where consent is specifically requested.

4. Newsletter and other optional communications

If a newsletter or other subscription form is offered and you choose to subscribe, your email address and related subscription or consent information may be processed for the purpose described at the point of collection. You may withdraw consent or unsubscribe at any time using the mechanism provided in the communication or by contacting us.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

Essential cookies and similar technologies may be used for security, site administration and functionality. Non-essential services are managed through Complianz and, where required by EU data-protection rules, are blocked until you provide consent. You can refuse optional categories without losing access to the basic website and can change your preferences later. Detailed information about detected services, purposes and cookie retention periods is maintained in the Cookie Policy (EU).

6. Google Fonts

The website design references Google Fonts. Complianz is configured to block requests to Google Fonts before the required consent is obtained. If you consent to the relevant category, your browser may connect to Google servers to retrieve font resources and technical information such as your IP address may be transmitted to Google. You can avoid this optional connection by declining the relevant consent category.

7. Analytics

At the date of this policy, no public Google Analytics tracking identifier or analytics snippet is configured on the public website. If optional analytics is enabled in the future, this policy and the consent configuration must be updated before non-essential tracking is activated.

8. Recipients and service providers

Personal data may be processed by service providers that support hosting, security, website operation, communications and other functions described above, to the extent necessary for those services. Providers are given access only as required for the relevant purpose and are expected to process data under applicable contractual and legal safeguards.

9. International transfers

Some optional third-party providers may process data outside your country or outside the European Economic Area. Where such transfers are subject to the GDPR, an applicable transfer mechanism or safeguard required by law is used. Where an optional third-party service is based on consent, declining consent prevents that optional service from being activated on the website.

10. Retention

Technical and security data is retained only for the period reasonably necessary for website operation, security and legal compliance. Enquiry and correspondence data is retained for as long as reasonably necessary to handle the request, maintain appropriate records, resolve disputes and comply with legal obligations. Subscription data is retained until you unsubscribe or consent is otherwise withdrawn, subject to any minimum records required to demonstrate compliance.

11. Your rights

Where the GDPR applies, you may have the right to request access to your personal data, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability, and to object to processing based on legitimate interests. Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting processing carried out before withdrawal. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent data-protection supervisory authority.

12. Security

Reasonable technical and organisational measures are used to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful loss, alteration, unauthorised access or disclosure. No internet transmission or storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

13. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated when the website, its services or applicable legal requirements change. The current version and its update date will be published on this page.

14. Cookie preferences

You can review or change your cookie preferences using the consent controls provided by Complianz on this website.