Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy (GDPR Compliant – UK 2025+)

Who We Are

Our website address is: https://authenticsmile.com

What Personal Data We Collect and Why

Comments

When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comments form, along with the visitor’s IP address and browser user-agent string to help with spam detection.

An anonymised hash created from your email address may be sent to the Gravatar service to verify if you are using it. Their privacy policy is available at:
https://automattic.com/privacy/

Once your comment is approved, your profile picture (if applicable) becomes publicly visible.

Media

If you upload images, please avoid uploading images containing embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Other visitors may download and extract this information.

Cookies

Comment Cookies:
If you leave a comment, you may opt in to saving your name, email address, and website in cookies for your convenience. These cookies last one year.

Login Cookies:

A temporary cookie is set to check if your browser accepts cookies.
Additional cookies store your login details and display preferences.
Login cookies last 2 days.
Display preference cookies last 1 year.
“Remember Me” login persists for 2 weeks.
Logging out removes login cookies.

Post Editing Cookies:
If you edit or publish an article, a cookie storing the post ID (no personal data) will be saved for 1 day.

Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on this site may include embedded content (videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content behaves exactly as if you visited the external website directly.
These websites may:

Collect data about you
Use cookies
Embed third-party tracking
Monitor your interaction with their content

Links to External Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites. Once you leave our site, we are not responsible for the privacy or protection of any information you provide on those sites.
Please review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

Analytics

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data and improve our website.
The information is used only for statistical purposes and is deleted after processing.

GDPR: Our Legal Basis for Processing Data

Under the UK GDPR, we process your personal data under the following legal bases:

Consent – when you subscribe, comment, or voluntarily submit information.
Legitimate Interests – for analytics, website functionality, and improving user experience.
Contract – when purchasing products or services (if applicable).
Legal Obligation – where we must retain certain data for tax, administrative, or legal reasons.

Who We Share Your Data With

We do not share your personal data with any third parties except:

Automated spam-detection services
Essential website functionality tools

Internally, we may use your information to:

Maintain internal records
Improve products and services
Send updates or promotional emails (only with your consent)
Tailor website content
Conduct optional surveys or market research

You may unsubscribe from email updates at any time.

Email Subscriptions (GDPR Disclosure)

If you subscribe to our mailing list, your email address is stored securely by our email service provider.
We use your email only to send information you have opted in to receive.
You may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in our emails.

How Long We Retain Your Data

Comments and their metadata are retained indefinitely so we can automatically recognise and approve follow-up comments.

For registered users (if any), personal information provided in user profiles is stored until it is edited or deleted. Users can view, edit, or delete their information at any time (except their username). Website administrators can also access this information.

Your Data Rights (UK GDPR)

You have the right to:

Request an exported file of your personal data
Request correction of your information
Request deletion of your personal data
Withdraw consent at any time
Object to processing based on legitimate interest
Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

This does not include data we must retain for administrative, legal, or security reasons.

To make a request, please contact us using the details on our website.

Where We Send Your Data

Visitor comments may be checked through automated spam-detection services.

How We Protect Your Data

We are committed to keeping your information secure.
We use appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial measures to safeguard and protect the data we collect online.

Disclaimer

All content on this website is for general informational purposes only.
It does not provide medical, psychological, therapeutic, or diagnostic advice.

Nothing on this website should be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical or psychological condition.
This information is not a substitute for professional care.

If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Never delay or disregard professional advice because of something you read on this website.

All content is subject to change without notice.