Last reviewed on October 4, 2026.
Who This Policy Covers
This policy describes how GermanStates.com ("we", "our", "the site") collects, uses, and shares information about visitors to https://germanstates.com. It applies to every page on this domain and to any visitor accessing the site, regardless of location.
GermanStates.com is an editorial publication. We do not operate user accounts, do not run a store, do not run a newsletter system at this time, and do not host comments. Our data footprint is intentionally small.
Information We Collect
Information you provide directly
If you email us at [email protected], we receive the message, your email address, and any details you choose to include. We use that information solely to read and respond to your message.
Information collected automatically
Like most websites, GermanStates.com receives technical information when your browser requests a page. This typically includes your IP address, the date and time of the request, the pages you viewed, the referring URL, and details about your browser, device, and operating system. This information may be processed by our hosting provider, by Google Analytics, and by the providers of the map library and map tiles, as described below.
Cookies and similar technologies
We use a small number of cookies and similar identifiers, for analytics only. The site does not show advertising. Full details — including categories, third parties, and how to opt out — are in our Cookie Policy.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which pages are read, which states attract the most interest, and how readers move through the site. Google Analytics sets cookies and processes data such as IP address (truncated where supported), pages viewed, session duration, approximate location at city level, and device type.
The data is processed on aggregated, pseudonymous terms and is used to improve editorial decisions. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by blocking analytics cookies through your browser or a consent tool.
Advertising
GermanStates.com does not currently display advertising, does not use advertising cookies, and does not contain affiliate links. If that changes, this policy and our Cookie Policy will be updated before any advertising code is added.
Third-Party Services Used
The following third parties may receive limited data when you load a page on this site:
- Google Analytics — aggregated traffic measurement.
- Map providers — the interactive maps load the Leaflet library from
unpkg.comand map tiles from CARTO (basemaps.cartocdn.com), based on OpenStreetMap data. These providers receive your IP address and browser details as part of each request. - Our hosting provider (Cloudflare) — required to deliver pages securely; it processes request data such as IP addresses in its logs.
Each of these vendors operates under its own privacy policy. We have no access to or control over the cookies they set independently.
Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)
If you access the site from the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, the lawful bases on which we process your data are:
- Consent — for non-essential cookies, such as Google Analytics cookies, where required by local law.
- Legitimate interests — for security, fraud prevention, basic server logging, and aggregate audience measurement that does not identify individuals.
- Compliance with legal obligations — where we must retain or disclose information to comply with applicable law.
Your Rights
EU / UK (GDPR)
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to the processing of your personal data, the right to data portability, and the right to withdraw consent. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data-protection authority.
California (CCPA / CPRA)
California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, to request deletion, to correct inaccurate information, and to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising. We do not sell personal information and do not share it for cross-context behavioural advertising.
How to exercise rights
Email [email protected] from the address associated with your request. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before acting on certain requests.
Children
GermanStates.com is a general-audience travel publication and is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in jurisdictions where that is the relevant threshold). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Data Retention
We retain emails for as long as needed to handle the conversation and any reasonable follow-up. Aggregated analytics data is retained for the period configured in Google Analytics, which is currently the Google default for the property. Server logs maintained by our hosting provider follow that provider's standard retention schedule.
International Transfers
Some of the third-party vendors above are headquartered in the United States or other jurisdictions outside the EEA / UK. Where personal data is transferred internationally, those vendors rely on standard contractual clauses or other safeguards recognized under applicable law.
Security
The site is served over HTTPS. We do not run user accounts, store payment data, or maintain a customer database, which significantly limits the risk profile. Reasonable safeguards are applied to email correspondence and any backups.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy when our practices change, when third-party tools change, or when applicable law evolves. The "Last reviewed" date at the top of the page reflects the most recent substantive update. Material changes will be reflected by updating that date and, where appropriate, by a clear notice on the homepage.
Contact
For privacy questions, requests, or complaints, write to [email protected] with the word "Privacy" in the subject line. The data controller for the purposes of this policy is the publisher of GermanStates.com.