Last updated: September 15, 2026
Smart House Core (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates https://smarthousecore.com (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices and rights you have. It also includes our Cookies Policy (Section 6).
If you have any questions about this policy or your data, contact us at contact@smarthousecore.com.
1. Information We Collect
a) Information you provide to us
- Your name, email address and website URL when you leave a comment.
- Your name, email address and message when you use our contact form.
- Your email address when you subscribe to our newsletter. (Remove if you have no newsletter.)
- Anything else you choose to send us by email.
b) Information collected automatically
- IP address, browser type and version, device type and operating system.
- Pages viewed, date and time of visits, time spent, referring URL and exit pages.
- Server and security logs kept by our hosting provider.
c) Cookies and similar technologies — see Section 6.
We do not collect payment details (there is no shop on this Site) and we do not intentionally collect sensitive categories of personal data.
2. How We Use Your Information
- To publish comments and reply to them.
- To answer messages sent through our contact form or by email.
- To send newsletter emails you have asked for (every email includes an unsubscribe link).
- To understand which articles are useful and improve the Site.
- To protect the Site against spam, abuse and security threats.
- To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.
3. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA, UK and Switzerland)
Where the GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we rely on: consent (newsletter sign-ups and non-essential cookies), legitimate interests (site security, spam prevention, basic analytics and improving our content), performance of your request (answering your enquiry) and legal obligation.
4. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with service providers that help us run the Site:
- Hosting: [Hostinger]
- Analytics: [Google Analytics] (remove if not used)
- Newsletter / email delivery: [provider name] (remove if not used)
- Spam protection: [Akismet or plugin name]
- Contact form: [plugin name]
- CDN / security: [none currently]
These providers process data on our behalf. We may also disclose information where required by law, or to protect our rights and the safety of our readers.
5. International Data Transfers
Some of our providers may process your data outside your country, including in the United States. Where required, such transfers rely on appropriate safeguards, such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses.
6. Cookies Policy
6.1 What cookies are
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help a site work properly, remember your preferences and understand how the site is used. This section also covers similar technologies such as local storage and pixels.
6.2 Categories of cookies we use
Strictly necessary cookies — required for the Site to function; these cannot be switched off through our consent tool.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| wordpress_test_cookie | WordPress (this site) | Checks that your browser accepts cookies | session |
wp-settings-*, wp-settings-time-* | WordPress | Stores interface preferences for logged-in users | 1 year |
comment_author_*, comment_author_email_*, comment_author_url_* | WordPress | Remembers your details so you don’t retype them when commenting | ~1 year |
| PHPSESSID | Our hosting provider | Keeps your session working | Session |
Analytics cookies — help us see which content is read. Set only with your consent where consent is required.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users and sessions and measures usage | Up to 2 years |
Advertising cookies — we do not currently display advertising. If you add an ad network later, list its cookies here (for example Google AdSense: __gads, IDE and others) and add the provider to Section 4.
Affiliate cookies — [if you use affiliate links:] When you click an affiliate link, the merchant or affiliate network (for example [Amazon Associates, [network name]]) may set a cookie so the referral can be credited. Add each network and its cookie to this table.
6.3 Managing cookies
- Consent banner (EEA/UK visitors): non-essential cookies are set only after you give consent. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time using the cookie banner or the “Cookie settings” link in the footer.
- Your browser: you can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may break parts of the Site. Guides: [Chrome], [Firefox], [Safari], [Edge].
- Opt out of analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on — https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Opt out of personalised advertising: Google Ads Settings — https://adssettings.google.com; Your Online Choices — https://www.youronlinechoices.eu; US — https://optout.aboutads.info
- Do Not Track / Global Privacy Control: where required by law, we honour recognised opt-out preference signals. [Adjust this sentence to match what your site actually does.]
7. Embedded Content from Other Websites
Articles on this Site may include embedded content (for example, YouTube videos). Embedded content from other websites behaves exactly as if you had visited that website directly: those providers may set their own cookies and collect data about you under their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their practices.
8. How Long We Keep Information
- Comments and their metadata: kept indefinitely so we can follow up on threads.
- Contact form messages and email enquiries: [12 months] after the last exchange.
- Newsletter subscriptions: until you unsubscribe, plus a short suppression record so we don’t email you again.
- Analytics data: [14 months], after which it is deleted or aggregated.
- Server and security logs: [30 days], unless a longer period is needed for a security investigation.
9. Your Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- access the personal data we hold about you;
- have inaccurate data corrected;
- request that your data be deleted;
- restrict or object to certain processing;
- receive your data in a portable format;
- withdraw consent at any time (without affecting processing already carried out);
- lodge a complaint with your data protection authority.
California residents (CCPA/CPRA): you have the right to know what personal information is collected, to request its deletion or correction, to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information (we do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising), and to not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.
To exercise any of these rights, email contact@smarthouse.com. We may need to verify your identity before responding.
10. Data Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including HTTPS encryption, access controls and reputable service providers. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. Children’s Privacy
This Site is aimed at a general audience and is not directed at children under 13 (or under 16 where local law requires). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.
12. Third-Party Links
Our articles link to other websites, including manufacturers, retailers and standards bodies. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices; please review their own policies.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the Site and our tools change. The “Last updated” date at the top will change, and material changes will be highlighted on this page.
14. Contact Us
Smart House Core Email: contact@smarthousecore.com Website: https://smarthousecore.com/contact/