This statement discloses the privacy practices for maltatoday.com.mt and the MaltaToday mobile application. These practices are in compliance with The Data Protection Act, Chapter 440 of the Laws of Malta, and with the European Union Directive 2002/58/EC on the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector.

Maltatoday.com.mt may use anonymous data about users to sell advertising space and improve performance. We do not share an individual’s details with an advertiser. Any information that will be used will be anonymous aggregate statistics about our users, sales, and traffic patterns with our advertisers and ad networks.

• Changes to Privacy Policy: Guidelines are subject to change. Should we elect to change our privacy policy, we will post the changes on this page.
• Third-Party Links: We are not responsible for the content or the privacy policies of websites to which we may link.

What Information Do We Gather and Track About You?

1. Mobile Application
Our mobile app is currently available for basic browsing and does not currently require user registration. However, we do collect very basic, standard tracking information to monitor performance and improve the app's functionality. This includes anonymous diagnostic data such as device type, operating system version, crash reports, and basic user interaction statistics. In the future, the app will include basic logic and user registration. When these features are rolled out, this policy will be updated to reflect the new data collection processes.

2. SMS and Site Registration
During SMS or site registration, you are required to supply a unique email address and demographic information (full name, address, city, post code, country, and telephone number are required). We also collect additional personal information from surveys. As a registered user, you may receive information about Mediatoday Co. Ltd and its products.

3. Cookies
When you visit our website, a cookie may be sent to your device. A cookie is a small piece of data sent from a website and stored in a user's web browser while the user is browsing. Every time you load the website, the browser sends the cookie back to the server to notify the website of your previous activity. This allows the site to recognise you and customise what you see on the screen according to your registered preferences.

• You are not obliged to accept cookies, and most browsers allow you to turn them off.
• However, certain cookies are essential for the functioning of the website; disabling them may hinder the full functioning of the site.

What Do We Do With the Information We Gather?

Statistical Analysis and Banner Advertising
We may perform statistical analyses of user behaviour. We will also use demographic and preference information to allow advertising banners on our website to be targeted to whom they are most pertinent, improving both the viewer's experience and the effectiveness of the ads. In these analyses and banner targeting, we will disclose information to third parties only in aggregate form. Personal information about you as an individual subscriber will not be provided to any third party without your consent.

Google Analytics
Through Google Analytics and associated Google tools, we determine how often users visit our site, what pages they visit, and what sites they used prior to coming here.

• Google Analytics collects only the IP address assigned to you on the date you visit this site, rather than your name or other identifying information.
• We use this information only to improve this site and do not combine it with personally identifiable information.
• Google’s ability to use and share information collected is restricted by the Google Analytics Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can prevent Google Analytics from recognizing you on return visits by disabling cookies on your browser.

Criteo
Through Criteo retargeting advertisements, we allow Criteo to collect technical data relating to your browsing navigation to display personalised advertisements. We allow Criteo to collect data related to your browsing activity through cookies or advertising IDs that record:

• Events related to your activity on maltatoday.com.mt (pages viewed, searches made).
• Information related to your device (device type, OS, version).
• Non-precise geographical information derived from a truncated IP address (to serve location-relevant ads).
• Events related to ad serving activity.

Criteo does not use or store your full IP address for targeting. Full IP addresses are only used for fraud detection, sales attribution, and aggregated marketing reports. Criteo never willingly stores data that would allow the identification of a person. For more information, please visit Criteo.

Hotjar
Through Hotjar cookies, we collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns (such as the number of visitors to various parts of our site) in a way that does not personally identify anyone. The sole purpose of passively collecting this information is to improve your experience. Collected data includes:

• Device IP address (captured and stored in an anonymised format).
• Device screen resolution, type, operating system, and browser type.
• Geographic location (country only) and preferred language.
• Mouse events (movements, location, clicks) and keypresses.
• Referring URL/domain, pages visited, and date/time of access.

Email and SMS
We use email links located on our contact page to allow you to contact us directly, and we use your email to respond to those queries. Using the details provided at registration, we periodically send promotional emails about services we offer and our advertisers. We may also contact you regarding changes to the subscriber agreement or to confirm registration.

Requirements for Processing

MediaToday Co. Ltd will ensure that personal data is:

• Processed fairly and lawfully.
• Always processed in accordance with good practice.
• Only collected for specific and legitimate purposes.
• Adequate and relevant to the purposes of the processing.

All reasonable measures are taken to complete, correct, block, or erase incomplete or incorrect data. MediaToday Co. Ltd shall not be held liable for any data errors in transmission not occasioned by itself, or for any unauthorised acts of third parties.

With Whom Do We Share the Information?

We share gathered information in aggregate form with advertisers and other partners. We will not release personal information about you as an individual to third parties, except under the circumstances described in "Compliance with Legal Process" below.

• Your Rights: Upon request, we will provide you with all your personal information associated with your subscriber ID. Information will only be sent to the email address on file. In compliance with the Data Protection Act, Chapter 440 of the laws of Malta, personal data may not be processed for direct marketing if the data subject opposes such processing. We will inform you of this right at no cost.
• ‘Email a Friend’ / ‘Share this Article’: When you provide us with the personal data of a third party (e.g., their name and email address), please ensure you have their consent before providing their details.

Compliance with Legal Process

We may disclose personal information without your consent if we are required and permitted to do so by law, or if we in good faith believe that such action is necessary to:

1. Comply with the law or legal process.
2. Protect and defend our rights and property.
3. Protect against misuse or unauthorised use of our website, app, and content.
4. Protect the personal safety or property of our users or the public. (Note: If you provide false information or attempt to pose as someone else, your information may be disclosed as part of an investigation into your actions).

Data may also be disclosed in relation to the prevention, investigation, detection, and prosecution of criminal offences, or breaches of ethics for regulated professions through website abuse (including illegal acts or threats in the comments section).

Personal data may also be processed without consent if it is necessary for:

• The performance of a contract to which you are a party, or to take steps prior to entering into a contract.
• The performance of an activity carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority.
• A legitimate interest of the controller or third party, except where overridden by your fundamental privacy rights.

Contact Us: Corrections and Cancellations

Upon request, we will:

• a) Remove you and your personal information from our database, thereby cancelling your registration.
• b) Correct personal information that you state is erroneous.

To request a correction or cancellation, or if you feel that we are not adhering to our Privacy Policy, please contact us directly at:
Email: [email protected]