Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2025

1. Introduction

4marine.life ("we", "our", or "us") is a non-profit association registered under the French law of 1901, based in Paris, France. We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website www.4marine.life and use our services.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

  • Personal identification information (name, email address, phone number) when you contact us, make a donation, or place an order.
  • Payment information (processed securely through PayGreen — we do not store your payment card details).
  • Technical data such as IP address, browser type, operating system, and browsing behaviour collected through cookies and similar technologies.
  • Communication data including the content of messages you send us through our contact form.
  • Donation records including amounts, dates, and your chosen preferences (anonymous or named).
  • Order information including shipping addresses, product selections, and transaction history.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To process donations and issue tax receipts.
  • To fulfil and manage product orders from our shop.
  • To respond to your enquiries and provide customer support.
  • To send you updates about our conservation projects (only with your consent).
  • To improve our website, content, and services.
  • To comply with legal obligations, including financial reporting and tax regulations.
  • To detect and prevent fraud or misuse of our services.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

  • Consent — When you subscribe to our newsletter or agree to cookies.
  • Contract — When processing is necessary to fulfil a donation, order, or service request.
  • Legal obligation — When we are required to retain records for tax or regulatory purposes.
  • Legitimate interest — When we analyse website usage to improve our services, provided this does not override your fundamental rights.

5. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your data with:

  • PayGreen — Our payment processor, for secure handling of donations and purchases.
  • Hosting providers — For website infrastructure and data storage.
  • Legal authorities — When required by law or to protect our rights.
All third-party service providers are required to protect your data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

6. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored on secure servers within the European Union. We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected:

  • Contact form submissions — 2 years from the date of your last communication.
  • Donation records — 10 years, as required by French tax regulations.
  • Order records — 10 years, as required by French commercial law.
  • Newsletter subscriptions — Until you unsubscribe.
  • Website analytics — 13 months (anonymised).

8. Your Rights

Under the GDPR and French data protection law (Loi Informatique et Libertés), you have the following rights:

  • Right of access — Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Right to rectification — Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Right to erasure — Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements).
  • Right to restriction — Request that we limit how we process your data.
  • Right to data portability — Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Right to object — Object to processing based on legitimate interest or direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent — Withdraw your consent at any time where processing is based on consent.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@4marine.life. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience. For detailed information about the cookies we use and how to manage them, please see our Cookie Policy.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed at individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us:

  • Organisation: 4marine.life — Association loi 1901
  • Location: Paris, France
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the French data protection authority (CNIL) at www.cnil.fr.