Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 3, 2026
Welcome! This website is where I share my photography, travels, and experiences. I respect your privacy and want to be transparent about how information is handled when you visit.
Here's what you should know.
1. Who I am
This website, ioanacatalina.com, is created and maintained by Ioana Catalina, based in Romania.
For privacy-related questions or requests, you can contact me at ioana.echim@gmail.com.
2. What information is collected
You can explore my photography, read stories, and browse galleries without creating an account or providing personal details.
Some technical information, such as your IP address, browser information, and requested pages, may be processed automatically to deliver the website, keep it secure, and resolve technical issues.
If you email me, I'll use the information you share to respond to your message. I'll keep correspondence only as long as reasonably needed for that purpose, unless a longer period is legally required.
3. Cookies and analytics
The website uses essential storage to remember your privacy choices and keep temporary selections in your photo cart.
With your permission, I also use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use the website. This includes page visits and certain interactions, such as photo downloads and clicks on donation links.
Analytics helps me understand which parts of the website are useful and how I can improve them. GA4 event data is configured to be retained for 14 months.
You can accept or reject optional analytics and change your choices at any time through in the footer. Analytics is not activated before you give permission.
4. Maps and external content
Some pages include interactive maps powered by Mapbox. When you open the Map page, Mapbox may receive technical information needed to provide the map, such as your IP address and browser details.
The website also includes YouTube videos. These are loaded only when you allow external media and choose to play a video.
External services may process information under their own privacy policies.
5. Photo downloads, donations, and external links
Some galleries allow you to download photographs. To provide a download, the website processes the requested image and the technical information needed to deliver it securely. No separate download history is stored in the website's database, although hosting services may keep technical access logs.
You may also find links to external websites, social platforms, and Buy Me a Coffee. When you follow these links, the destination website's privacy practices apply.
The photo cart currently saves temporary selections in your browser. The public website does not currently process payments or offer visitor accounts.
6. How information is used and protected
Information is processed for the following purposes:
- Website operation and security: to deliver pages, images, maps, and downloads, and maintain a reliable service. This is based on legitimate interests in operating and protecting the website.
- Optional analytics and external media: based on your consent.
- Communication: to respond when you contact me, based on legitimate interests in handling your request or taking steps you ask me to take.
The website uses service providers including Railway for hosting, Neon for its database, and Cloudflare for image storage and delivery. Google and Mapbox provide the optional or interactive services described above.
Technical information may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary for security and operations, according to the relevant service settings and applicable requirements.
Some providers may process information outside the European Economic Area. Their privacy notices explain their data practices and applicable transfer arrangements.
Provider privacy notices: Google, Mapbox, Railway, Neon, Cloudflare.
7. Your privacy rights
Under the GDPR, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data, restrict or object to processing, request data portability, and withdraw consent at any time, subject to applicable conditions.
You can contact me at ioana.echim@gmail.com to ask questions or exercise your rights.
You can also lodge a complaint with Romania's data protection authority, ANSPDCP.
Providing personal information is not required to browse the website, apart from the technical information necessary to deliver the service. Contacting me by email is entirely voluntary.
The website does not use automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects.
8. Updates to this policy
I may update this policy as the website evolves or privacy requirements change. The latest version will always be available here, together with the date it was last updated.
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.