Optional Google Analytics is off unless you choose “Allow analytics” in the cookie banner. You can change your choice at any time from “Cookie settings” in the footer. Rejecting analytics does not prevent you from using the site or buying a Culture report.
Who is responsible for your information?
Essayfi, the operator of this website, is responsible for information collected through essayfi.com. For privacy questions or requests, contact support@essayfi.com.
Information the site handles
- Basic website and security data: when a page is requested, the hosting service may process technical details such as the IP address, browser and device information, requested page, time, and error or security logs.
- Optional analytics: if you allow analytics, Google Analytics receives page views and interactions such as button labels and areas, sample download categories, and Culture report checkout steps. Culture events may include the report type and selected country or comparison slugs. We do not send transaction IDs, payment details, email addresses, form entries, or private download tokens to Google Analytics.
- Culture report purchases: if you buy a report, PayPal handles its checkout under PayPal’s terms and privacy notice. Essayfi receives and verifies the transaction ID you submit, plus the report selected and a browser identifier used to protect and restore access to the purchased download.
- Support chat: when you open chat as a guest, Essayfi creates a random browser identifier to connect your chat thread and messages if you return within 30 days. It is separate from your Google Analytics choice and is not sent to Google Analytics.
- Preferences and report access: the browser may store your analytics choice, display preference, and a secure report download link so the site can remember your choice, theme, or report access on that device.
- Messages you send us: if you contact support, we use the details and message you provide to respond and handle the request.
Why we use information
We use technical data to operate and secure the website; payment information to verify a report purchase and provide access; support messages to respond to you; and analytics, only with your choice, to understand which pages and features are useful and improve the site. Analytics is optional and is not required for the Culture map, free samples, or report checkout.
Grounds for processing
Where applicable, we use your consent for optional analytics, information needed to complete a report purchase you request, and our legitimate interests in operating, securing, and improving the website. We also keep records where applicable law requires it. You can withdraw analytics consent at any time; withdrawing it does not affect processing that already occurred while consent was active.
Google Analytics and other providers
When you allow analytics, Google Analytics measures visits and selected interactions. Google may process information on its systems and in other countries under its own terms and privacy practices. PayPal processes payment information when you choose its checkout. Our hosting and technical service providers may process information needed to deliver and protect the website. We do not sell personal information.
See our Cookie and browser storage policy for the choices and browser storage used by this site.
How long information is kept
Analytics retention is managed in the Google Analytics property. Support records and purchase records are kept for as long as needed to respond, provide purchased access, resolve disputes, and meet applicable recordkeeping requirements. The Culture purchase browser identifier currently expires after up to ten years; the browser’s saved download link remains until you remove it or clear site storage. Analytics consent is remembered for 180 days, after which the site asks again.
Your choices and rights
You can reject or withdraw optional analytics consent through the cookie banner or the footer’s “Cookie settings” control. You can also clear Essayfi site data in your browser. Clearing it may remove your theme preference and saved Culture download links, and can prevent this browser from restoring report access.
Depending on the law that applies to you, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, to object to or restrict certain uses, and to withdraw consent. For a request, email support@essayfi.com. People in Kenya may also contact the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
Children and changes to this policy
Essayfi is a general learning resource and is not designed to collect personal information from children through analytics. We may update this policy when the site or its data practices change. The latest revision date appears above.