Welcome to Explore Ming Dynasty (the “Site”). We are dedicated to sharing the rich history of Zheng He and the maritime legacy of the Ming Dynasty with a global audience. Your privacy is important to us, and this Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website at www.mingdynastyhistory.com (or any subdomain thereof).
By accessing or using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information:
- Personal Information: This includes data you voluntarily provide, such as your name or email address when you subscribe to our newsletter, submit a contact form, or participate in surveys.
- Usage Data: Automatically collected information about your interaction with the Site, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, time spent on pages, and referring URLs.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and tracking tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to improve site functionality, analyze traffic, and personalize your experience. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or via our cookie consent banner (if implemented).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Explore Ming Dynasty website;
- Deliver historical content related to Zheng He, the Ming Dynasty, and Chinese maritime exploration;
- Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support;
- Send updates or newsletters (only if you have opted in);
- Analyze user behavior to enhance content relevance and site performance;
- Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights and safety.
3. Sharing of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share it in the following limited circumstances:
- With Service Providers: Trusted third parties who help us operate the Site (e.g., email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, hosting providers, or analytics services like Google Analytics). These partners are required to protect your data and use it only as instructed.
- For Legal Reasons: If required by law, regulation, or legal process (e.g., court order), or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Explore Ming Dynasty, our users, or the public.
4. International Data Transfers
The Explore Ming Dynasty website is hosted on servers located in the United States. If you are accessing the Site from outside the U.S.—including from the European Economic Area (EEA)—your personal data may be transferred to and processed in the United States. We implement appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) where applicable, to ensure an adequate level of protection in accordance with GDPR and other relevant data protection laws.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy—typically until you unsubscribe, request deletion, or after a reasonable period of inactivity (e.g., 24 months for newsletter subscribers). We may retain anonymized usage data indefinitely for analytical purposes.
6. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction (especially if you reside in the EEA, UK, or California), you may have the right to:
- Access, correct, or delete your personal data;
- Restrict or object to certain processing activities;
- Request a copy of your data in a portable format;
- Withdraw your consent at any time (for processing based on consent).
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below. We will respond within 30 days.
7. Children’s Privacy
Explore Ming Dynasty is not intended for children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will promptly delete it.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The revised policy will be posted here with an updated “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this page regularly.