Privacy and cookie policy
Last updated: 31 October 2026
This page explains which personal data is collected when you use gezsekdedik.com, why it is processed, what cookies and similar technologies do, and what rights you have. It follows the main principles of Turkey’s Personal Data Protection Law no. 6698 (KVKK) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Data controller
This site is run by Tuğba and Burak. For any question or request about your personal data, write to [email protected].
What data do we collect?
There are no visitor accounts. The data below is created only when you fill in a form or take an action.
| Data | When is it created? | Who can see it? |
|---|---|---|
| Comment: your name and comment | When you comment under a story | If approved, everyone; if not, only us |
| Reader experience: your name, city, title and text; optionally your Instagram handle, a tip and a photo | When you submit the experience form, confirming publication consent | If approved, everyone; if not, only us |
| Newsletter: your email address | When you subscribe | Only us |
| Contact form: your name, email address, brand (if any), topic and message | When you send the form | Only us |
| Route poll: the option you choose | When you vote | Only us; linked to a hash of your IP address |
| Technical records: a hash of your IP address (raw IP addresses are not stored) and a short-term request counter | When you submit forms, vote or mark an experience as helpful | Only us and our hosting provider |
| Read counts: daily total per story | When a story is opened | Contains no personal data; stored in aggregate |
Only if you accept, we also use Google Analytics to measure page views, traffic sources and similar statistics (see Cookies and browser storage below).
Why and on what legal basis do we process data?
| Purpose | Legal basis |
|---|---|
| Reviewing and publishing comments and experiences | Your explicit consent given when you share, and your publication request (KVKK art. 5(1)) |
| Sending newsletter emails | Explicit consent (KVKK art. 5(1)); you can unsubscribe at any time |
| Replying to contact form messages | Carrying out necessary steps at your request (KVKK art. 5(2)(c)) |
| Preventing spam and abuse and keeping the site secure | Our legitimate interest (KVKK art. 5(2)(f)) |
| Route poll and aggregate read counts | Our legitimate interest (KVKK art. 5(2)(f)); results are used in aggregate |
| Site measurement with Google Analytics | Explicit consent (cookie consent, KVKK art. 5(1)) |
For visitors in the EU, the equivalent GDPR bases are consent (Article 6(1)(a)), steps taken at your request before a contract (Article 6(1)(b)) and legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)).
Cookies and browser storage
We do not use advertising cookies on our own pages. A few preferences are stored in your browser, and some of them never leave your device.
| Name | Type | Purpose | How long does it last? |
|---|---|---|---|
| gez.cerez | Browser storage | Remembers your cookie choice | Until you delete it |
| gez.tema | Browser storage | Your light or dark theme | Until you delete it |
| gez.* (saved items) | Browser storage | Stories and places you saved; only on your device | Until you delete it |
| _ga, _ga_… (Google Analytics) | Cookie | Visit statistics; only if you accept | Up to 2 years |
You can change your cookie choice with the “Cookie preferences” link at the bottom of any page. You can also clear cookies and stored data in your browser settings. The admin panel is for our authors only and does not set a cookie for visitors.
Third-party services
Our pages use some external services. When a page loads, these services may receive technical information such as your IP address. Each service applies its own privacy policy.
- Google Fonts (Google): typefaces.
- jQuery (code.jquery.com): JavaScript library.
- Unsplash (images.unsplash.com): some story and place images.
- Stadia Maps and Esri (ArcGIS): base maps for place and route maps.
- YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com): embedded videos.
- GetYourGuide: tour widgets and partner links. This service may set its own cookies.
- Google Analytics (Google): only if you accept.
- External links (Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, eSIMfo and similar): once you click, their own policies apply.
Some of these services may process data outside Turkey and the EU (for example in the United States). Only the data needed for the site to work and for the purposes above is sent to them. We do not sell personal data or give it to third parties for advertising.
Who do we share data with?
We may share data with the providers that host the site and run its technical infrastructure, with the third-party services listed above, and with competent public authorities when required by law.
How long do we keep data?
- Published comments and experiences: for as long as they remain published, or until you ask us to delete them.
- Unapproved comments and experiences: for as long as needed for moderation.
- Newsletter list: for as long as your subscription is active.
- Contact messages: until your request is resolved and any required record-keeping period has passed.
- Technical records and IP hashes: for as long as needed for security and abuse prevention.
- Read counts: contain no personal data.
When the purpose no longer applies, we delete, destroy or anonymise the data.
Your rights
Under Article 11 of KVKK, you have the right to learn whether your personal data is processed; to request information if it is; to learn the purpose of processing and whether it is used accordingly; to know the third parties to whom it is transferred, domestically or abroad; to request correction if it is incomplete or inaccurate; to request deletion or destruction under the conditions set by law; to request that these operations be notified to the third parties to whom the data was transferred; to object to a result arising from automated analysis of your data; and to claim compensation for damage caused by unlawful processing.
If you live in the EU, your GDPR rights also apply and you may complain to your local data protection authority. In Turkey, you may submit a complaint to the Personal Data Protection Board (Kişisel Verileri Koruma Kurulu).
Send your requests to [email protected]. We will reply within 30 days and may ask for additional information to verify your identity.
You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. Every newsletter email includes a way to do so, or you can simply write “unsubscribe” to [email protected].
Other people’s data and photos
When you submit a reader experience, make sure you have permission to share any personal data of other people (faces, names, locations) in your text or photos. You can ask us to remove such content, and we will do so on request.
Children
This site is not directed at children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them.
Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will update the “last updated” date on this page.