Privacy Policy

Last Updated: August 22, 2025

At “Best Of Local Awards”, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws.

1. Who We Are

“Best Of Local Awards” is an initiative celebrating excellence in Slovenian tourism, culture, and business. Our website, best-of-local.com, is operated by Iqbator d.o.o. with a registered address at Miklošičeva cesta 38, Ljubljana, Slovenia. For inquiries, contact us at info@the-slovenia.com or +386 030 706 000.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal data when you interact with our website or services:

  • Identity and Contact Data: Name, email address, phone number, or other details you provide when registering for awards, subscribing to newsletters, or contacting us.
  • Transaction Data: Details about purchases or nominations made through our site, including payment information (processed securely by third-party payment providers).
  • Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and browsing behavior collected via cookies or similar technologies.
  • User-Generated Data: Information submitted during award nominations, feedback, or reviews.
  • Marketing Preferences: Your preferences for receiving communications from us.

We do not collect special categories of personal data (e.g., health, religion) unless explicitly required and consented to for specific purposes.

3. How We Collect Your Data

We collect data:

  • Directly from you: When you fill out forms, make purchases, or communicate with us.
  • Automatically: Through cookies, analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), and server logs when you visit our website.
  • From third parties: Such as payment processors or social media platforms (e.g., if you log in via Facebook).

4. How We Use Your Data

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To manage award nominations, registrations, and participation in the “Best Of Local Awards”.
  • To process transactions and deliver services or products.
  • To send newsletters, updates, or promotional materials (with your consent).
  • To improve our website’s functionality and user experience.
  • To comply with legal obligations, such as tax or regulatory requirements.
  • To respond to inquiries or provide customer support.

Legal Basis for Processing (under GDPR):

  • Consent: For marketing communications or non-essential cookies.
  • Contract: To fulfill services related to award participation or purchases.
  • Legitimate Interests: For website analytics, fraud prevention, or improving services.
  • Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience, analyze performance, and deliver personalized content. For details, see our Cookie Notice below.

6. Data Sharing

We may share your data with:

  • Service Providers: Third parties providing hosting, payment processing, or analytics services (e.g., WordPress, Stripe, Google Analytics).
  • Partners: Entities involved in the awards process, such as judges or sponsors, with your consent or as necessary.
  • Legal Authorities: If required by law or to protect our rights.

We ensure all third parties comply with GDPR and maintain appropriate data protection measures.

7. International Data Transfers

If your data is transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or adequacy decisions are in place to protect your data.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. For example:

  • Transaction data: Retained for [e.g., 7 years] to comply with tax laws.
  • Marketing data: Kept until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent.
  • Technical data: Typically retained for [e.g., 12 months] for analytics purposes.

9. Your Rights Under GDPR

As a data subject, you have the following rights:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
  • Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations).
  • Restriction: Limit how we process your data.
  • Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
  • Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@the-slovenia.com. We will respond within one month, as required by GDPR.

10. Security

We implement technical and organizational measures, such as encryption and secure servers, to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies before sharing personal information.

12. Complaints

If you have concerns about our data practices, contact us. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, such as the Slovenian Information Commissioner (Informacijski pooblaščenec).

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes via email or a website notice.

© Best Of 2026 | Contact: info(at)best-of-local.com