Privacy Policy

1. Identity of the Data Controller

Castreal (legal entity registration pending) ("Castreal", "we", "us", or "our") is the data controller responsible for processing your personal data.

2. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal data we collect through our website at castreal.io, including the landing page, email sign-up forms, and any associated services. It covers both our current pre-launch (waitlist) activities and our planned full platform operations.

3. What Data We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal data:

3.1 Data You Provide Directly

3.2 Data Collected Automatically via UTM & Referral Tracking

When you visit our website, we collect campaign attribution data to understand how visitors find us:

3.3 Data Stored in Your Browser (localStorage)

We use your browser's localStorage (similar to cookies) to store the following identifiers. Under the ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC), storing data on your device requires consent unless strictly necessary for the service you requested.

3.4 Analytics & Behavioral Events

When you consent to analytics, we collect behavioral events via our server-side analytics system (Cloudflare Analytics Engine). These events are sent as beacons to /api/event and include:

Each analytics event also includes:

Analytics events are only collected when you consent to non-essential analytics via our consent banner. If you choose "Essential Only", no behavioral events are sent.

3.5 Server-Side Page-View Logging

Independently of your consent choice, our web server records a basic page-view event each time an HTML page is served. This is standard server-side infrastructure logging and does not use cookies, localStorage, or any client-side code. Each event records:

These events are aggregated and cannot identify individual visitors. No IP addresses, session identifiers, or device fingerprints are stored. This processing is based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) in understanding basic traffic patterns for our service.

3.6 Data We Do Not Collect

Our own code does not set traditional browser cookies. However, if you consent to analytics, the Meta Pixel may cause Facebook to set cookies on its own domain (e.g., _fbp), and the TikTok Pixel may similarly set cookies for ad measurement. Apart from this, we do not collect your name, phone number, payment information, or IP addresses for analytics purposes. Our first-party analytics system does not track you across websites.

We process your personal data on the following legal grounds under the GDPR:

5. Third-Party Data Processors

We share your data with the following service providers, each acting as a data processor under GDPR Art. 28. We rely on the standard data processing terms included in each provider's service agreements.

5.1 Meta / Facebook Pixel

We use the Meta (Facebook) Pixel for conversion tracking. The Meta Pixel is loaded only after you grant consent via our consent banner. We and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited act as joint controllers (per CJEU "Fashion ID" ruling, C-40/17) for the initial data collection through the Pixel.

When the Pixel is active, it may set cookies on Facebook's domain (e.g., _fbp) and collect data about your interactions with our site, potentially linking them to your Facebook account (if you are logged in). You can manage your ad preferences at facebook.com/adpreferences. For details on how Meta processes your data, see Meta's Privacy Policy.

5.2 TikTok Pixel

We use the TikTok Pixel for conversion tracking on TikTok ad campaigns. The TikTok Pixel is loaded only after you grant consent via our consent banner. We and TikTok Technology Limited act as joint controllers for the initial data collection through the Pixel.

When the TikTok Pixel is active, it may collect data about your interactions with our site and set cookies to measure ad effectiveness. You can manage your TikTok ad preferences at tiktok.com/setting. For details on how TikTok processes your data, see TikTok's Privacy Policy.

6. International Data Transfers

Castreal is based in the European Union (Romania). However, some of our service providers are located in the United States. When we transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we rely on the following safeguards:

Specifically:

We continuously monitor legal developments (including the impact of the "Schrems II" ruling and the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework) and will adjust our transfer mechanisms as necessary.

7. Data Retention

8. Your Rights

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at dpo@castreal.io. We will respond within 30 days.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Our lead supervisory authority is:

If you are located in another EU Member State, you may also contact your local data protection authority.

9. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We do not use traditional browser cookies. Instead, we use localStorage, a browser-based storage mechanism that functions similarly to cookies. Under the ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC) and its national implementations (including Germany's TTDSG §25), localStorage is treated the same as cookies for consent purposes.

9.1 Our Consent Mechanism

When you first visit our site, a consent banner is displayed offering two choices:

Your choice is stored in cr_consent in localStorage. You can change your preference at any time by clicking "Cookie Settings" in the website footer, which clears your stored consent and re-displays the banner.

9.2 Cloudflare Analytics Engine

Our analytics are powered by Cloudflare Analytics Engine, a server-side analytics system. Unlike traditional analytics tools (such as Google Analytics), our approach:

Analytics beacons are only sent when you have consented to analytics via the consent banner.

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 you believe a child under 16 has provided us with personal data, please contact us at dpo@castreal.io and we will delete the data promptly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we may also notify you by email (if we have your address) or through a prominent notice on our website.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: