This Privacy Policy explains how vitciobanu.eu (“this website”) handles information when you visit. The site is a static personal website and blog operated by Vitalie Ciobanu.
Who is responsible
The data controller for this website is Vitalie Ciobanu, based in Catalunya, Spain. For any privacy question or request, use the email address in the site footer.
What data is collected
This website is static: it has **no user accounts, comment forms, contact forms, or newsletter sign-ups**, and it does not ask you for any personal information.
The only data this website itself collects is anonymous usage statistics via Google Analytics 4 (GA4) - and only if you accept cookies. When enabled, GA4 records:
- which pages you view and how long you stay,
- an approximate location (country/region), derived momentarily from your IP address - GA4 does not log or store your full IP address,
- your device type, browser, operating system, and screen size,
- how you reached the site (e.g. a search engine or a referring link).
This information is aggregated and used solely to understand which content is useful. It is never used to identify you personally.
Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on your device. This website’s own cookies are set only for analytics, and only after you accept them in the cookie banner - if you decline, no analytics cookies are set. Separately, embedded content from YouTube and Relive can set its own cookies when a post containing it loads (see Embedded content from other sites below).
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes anonymous visitors | up to 2 years |
_ga_BHWHPSDVK2 | Google Analytics | Maintains session state | up to 2 years |
Separately, your cookie choice is remembered in your browser’s local storage (not a cookie, and not shared with anyone) so the banner doesn’t ask again. This is strictly necessary to honour your decision.
Embedded content from other sites
Some blog posts embed third-party content:
- YouTube videos - provided by Google, on posts that include a video.
- Relive activity maps - provided by Relive, on some hiking and running posts.
When you open a page that contains one of these embeds, that content loads directly from YouTube/Google or Relive. Those providers may set their own cookies and receive data about your visit - such as your IP address, device and browser, and how you interact with the embedded player or map. This happens as the embed loads and is independent of the analytics choice above; it is governed by each provider’s own policy, not this one:
- YouTube / Google - Privacy Policy
- Relive - Privacy Policy
Because these cookies are set by the third parties and are outside this website’s control, they cannot be listed individually here - please refer to the policies above. If you would rather not load them, use a browser or extension that blocks third-party cookies.
Legal basis
Under the GDPR, analytics cookies are used on the basis of your consent (Article 6(1)(a)). Analytics are entirely optional - the website works the same whether you accept or decline.
Third parties and international transfers
Google Analytics is provided by Google Ireland Limited / Google LLC. If you consent, usage data is processed by Google and may be transferred to and stored on servers outside the European Economic Area, including the United States, under Google’s data-transfer safeguards (Standard Contractual Clauses and the EU-US Data Privacy Framework).
For details, see Google’s Privacy Policy and how Google uses information from sites that use its services.
Data retention
Aggregated analytics data is retained in Google Analytics according to the property’s retention setting (by default 2 months, up to 14 months).
Your rights
Under the GDPR you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or object to the processing of your personal data, and the right to data portability. Because this site collects only anonymous analytics and no directly identifying information, it generally cannot link any data back to you as an individual.
You can at any time:
- withdraw consent using the “Cookie settings” link in the footer,
- opt out of Google Analytics on all websites with Google’s browser opt-out add-on,
- lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority (in Spain, the AEPD).
Withdrawing consent
Use the “Cookie settings” link in the footer to change or withdraw your choice. Declining removes the analytics cookies from your browser.
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. The “last updated” date below reflects the current version.
Contact
Vitalie Ciobanu - via the email address in the site footer.
Last updated: 15 July 2026.