How Where in the Philippines collects, uses, and protects your information.
Effective Date: May 1, 2026
Last Updated: May 1, 2026
Operated By: Xage Digital Marketing Services
Website: whereinthephilippines.com
| ℹ THE SHORT VERSION We collect basic information to run our website, understand our audience, show relevant ads, and reply to you when you contact us.We do NOT sell your personal information. We use Google Analytics, Google AdSense, affiliate links (Agoda, Klook, Lazada, Shopee), and standard WordPress features. You can opt out of cookies, tracking, and marketing at any time. If you have questions, email us at whereinthephilippines@gmail.com. The full policy below explains everything in detail. |
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how Xage Digital Marketing Services (“we,” “us,” or “our”), the operator of Where in the Philippines (the “Website,” accessible at whereinthephilippines.com), collects, uses, shares, and protects information about you when you visit our Website, read our content, subscribe to our communications, or otherwise interact with us.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable laws, including the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), where relevant.
By using our Website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Website.
2. Information We Collect
We collect two general types of information: (a) information you voluntarily provide to us, and (b) information that is automatically collected when you visit our Website.
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
We collect personal information when you choose to share it with us, such as when you:
- Send us a message through our contact form (name, email address, message content)
- Email us directly at whereinthephilippines@gmail.com
- Leave a comment on an article (name, email address, comment content, and optionally a website URL)
- Inquire about partnerships, sponsorships, or collaborations (name, email, company, and any details you choose to share)
- Submit a tip, correction, or pitch to our editorial team
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our Website, certain information is collected automatically through cookies, tracking pixels, and server logs, including:
- IP address and approximate geographic location (country, region, city)
- Browser type, operating system, and device information
- Pages visited, time spent on each page, click activity, and referring website
- Date and time of access
- Unique device or session identifiers
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third-party services we use, such as Google Analytics aggregate audience reports, Google AdSense ad performance data, and affiliate networks reporting on referred transactions. We do not receive personally identifying information from these services unless you have provided it directly to them.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To operate and maintain the Website — including hosting, security, and performance optimization.
- To respond to your inquiries — such as replying to your contact form messages, emails, and comments.
- To analyze how visitors use the Website — through aggregated analytics that help us improve content, navigation, and user experience.
- To display advertising — through Google AdSense, including personalized ads where permitted.
- To track affiliate referrals — when you click on an affiliate link to a partner site (such as Agoda, Klook, Lazada, or Shopee), so we can be properly credited for the referral.
- To moderate comments and prevent abuse — including blocking spam, harassment, or violations of our policies.
- To comply with legal obligations — including responding to lawful requests from authorities and enforcing our Terms.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. We and our third-party partners use cookies and similar technologies (such as web beacons and local storage) for the following purposes:
4.1 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential cookies — required for the Website to function properly (e.g., session management, security).
- Analytics cookies — help us understand how visitors interact with our content (e.g., Google Analytics).
- Advertising cookies — used by Google AdSense and its partners to show ads relevant to your interests and to measure ad performance.
- Affiliate tracking cookies — set by affiliate partners (such as Agoda, Klook, Lazada, Shopee) when you click an affiliate link, so transactions can be properly credited.
- Social media cookies — set by embedded content from Facebook, YouTube, and similar platforms when you interact with their content on our pages.
4.2 Managing Your Cookie Preferences
When you first visit our Website, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in our footer or by adjusting your browser settings to block or delete cookies.
Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality.
5. Third-Party Services We Use
We use the following third-party services that may collect or process your information. Each operates under its own privacy policy:
5.1 Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use our Website. Google Analytics collects information such as IP addresses, device data, and page activity. This data is processed by Google and may be transferred to and stored on servers in the United States and other countries. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
5.2 Google AdSense
We use Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google and its advertising partners may use cookies and identifiers (including the DoubleClick cookie) to serve ads based on your prior visits to our Website and other sites on the Internet. You can learn more and opt out of personalized advertising by visiting https://www.google.com/settings/ads or https://www.aboutads.info/choices.
Google AdSense’s full data practices are described in Google’s Privacy Policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
5.3 Affiliate Programs
Our Website contains affiliate links to products and services offered by third parties, including but not limited to Agoda, Klook, Lazada, and Shopee. When you click an affiliate link and complete a qualifying action (such as a booking or purchase) on the partner site, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These affiliate networks set their own cookies to track referrals and manage commissions. We do not control how these third parties collect or use your information — please review their privacy policies for details.
5.4 Embedded Content
Our articles may include embedded content from third-party platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and other social media services. Embedded content behaves as if you have visited the third-party website directly — these platforms may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content according to their own privacy policies.
5.5 WordPress and Hosting
Our Website is built on WordPress. Our hosting provider may collect server-side data such as IP addresses and access logs for security, performance, and abuse prevention purposes.
6. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share your information only in the limited circumstances described below:
- Service providers — with trusted third parties who help us operate our Website (such as hosting, analytics, email delivery, and ad serving), under contractual obligations to protect your information.
- Affiliate partners — when you click an affiliate link, your interaction is shared with that affiliate network for the purpose of tracking referrals.
- Legal requirements — when required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.
- Business transfers — in connection with a merger, acquisition, sale, or transfer of all or part of our business, in which case we will provide notice before your information is transferred.
- With your consent — in any other case where you have given us explicit permission to share.
7. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Right to access — request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Right to correction — request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Right to deletion — request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
- Right to object — object to certain processing activities, including direct marketing.
- Right to data portability — request your information in a portable, machine-readable format.
- Right to withdraw consent — withdraw consent for processing that is based on consent (this does not affect prior lawful processing).
- Right to lodge a complaint — file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission of the Philippines (https://privacy.gov.ph) or your local data protection authority.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at whereinthephilippines@gmail.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and as required by applicable law.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
- Contact form messages and emails: typically retained for up to 2 years for follow-up and reference.
- Comments: retained as long as the article is published, unless you request deletion.
- Analytics data: retained according to Google Analytics default settings (configurable up to 14 months for GA4).
- Server logs: typically retained for 30 to 90 days for security purposes.
9. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include SSL/HTTPS encryption, secure hosting, access controls, and regular software updates.
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, and you provide your information at your own risk.
10. International Data Transfers
Some of the third-party services we use (such as Google Analytics, Google AdSense, and our hosting provider) may store or process your information on servers located outside the Philippines, including in the United States and other jurisdictions. Where required by law, we ensure that such transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards, including standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms.
11. Children’s Privacy
Our Website is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at whereinthephilippines@gmail.com and we will take steps to delete the information promptly.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, provide additional notice (such as a banner on the Website or an email notification, if you have subscribed).
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
13. How to Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us using the information below:
| PRIVACY CONTACT Xage Digital Marketing Services (operator of Where in the Philippines) Address: City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines Email: whereinthephilippines@gmail.com Website: whereinthephilippines.com We will respond to all legitimate inquiries within a reasonable timeframe. |
This Privacy Policy was last updated on May 1, 2026.
