Privacy Policy - Balkan Spark Community
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how Balkan Spark (www.balkanspark.com) collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you interact with our community. Throughout this policy, www.balkanspark.com will be referred to as Balkan Spark or the Balkan Spark Community. Balkan Spark does not directly collect or process personal data. However, since user interactions happen through the Google Blogger platform, Google may collect and process your data within the framework of their policies. By using the Blogger platform, users agree to the way Google collects and processes their data.
2. How Google Collects Your Data
Our community is hosted on the Google Blogger platform. Google may collect and process user data through any interaction or activity on this platform. This includes data like user behavior on the site, IP addresses, cookies, and device information. However, as Balkan Spark, we do not directly collect or process this data.
Data that Google may collect includes:
- User name and email address (when signing in with a Google account)
- IP address
- Cookies and other tracking technologies to monitor user activity
- Device details (browser type, operating system, etc.)
3. Agreement to Google's Policies
Before signing up or commenting on Balkan Spark, or logging in using your Google (Gmail) account, please remember that you are also subject to the Google Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/u/0/privacy), the Google Terms of Service (https://policies.google.com/u/0/terms), and the Google Blogger Content Policy (https://www.blogger.com/content-policy). It’s important to read and understand these policies as they govern how Google collects and processes your data.
4. How Your Data Is Collected and Processed According to Google
Your data is collected and processed under Google’s Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/u/0/privacy) and Google’s Terms of Service (https://policies.google.com/u/0/terms). These policies provide detailed information about how your data is used. By using the Blogger platform, you agree that your data will be handled in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Terms of Service.
5. Sharing Your Personal Data
Balkan Spark does not share your personal data with third parties or companies. We only share personal data when legally required by authorities, such as court orders or official requests. Since we don’t directly process your data, we may need to forward any legal requests to Google, and in some cases, request data from Google to meet those legal demands.
If Google does not provide the requested data, relevant institutions should contact Google directly.
6. Processing, Storing, and Deleting Your Data
Your personal data will be processed in accordance with North Macedonian law and in compliance with principles of fairness. It will be collected for legitimate purposes and only to the extent necessary for those purposes. We take necessary steps to ensure that the data is accurate and up-to-date.
Your personal data will be stored for as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected. Once the data is no longer needed, it will be deleted. The duration for which data is stored may vary depending on applicable North Macedonian laws.
IMPORTANT: Balkan Spark does not retain log files, and the responsibility for these lies with the relevant authorities, namely Google and Google Blogger. Balkan Spark has no access to log files.
7. Data Deletion
We can only handle deletion requests for the data and content we have access to on the platform. Balkan Spark has the authority to delete user content, comments, or voluntary memberships if requested.
If there’s data that Balkan Spark is able to delete, we will, but we cannot delete data we don’t have access to. For anything we can’t manage, Google will be responsible, and you should reach out to Google Blogger directly if needed.
Balkan Spark, Balkan Spark Community, Voice of the Balkans Community, and our volunteers are not responsible for data outside our access. We are only responsible for data and content that we have control over.
8. Website and Service Termination
Balkan Spark is hosted for free by Google and Google Blogger. Google and its affiliates may choose to stop providing free services, close the Balkan Spark website, and/or deactivate our Google-linked social media accounts. In such cases, access to your data and content on Balkan Spark may be lost.
If Google and Google Blogger discontinue their services, your data and content may be lost. Balkan Spark has no control over this, and we cannot be held responsible for any loss of personal data in such cases.
9. User Awareness
It's important for users to be aware of the platforms providing the services for Balkan Spark and the terms they are subject to. Balkan Spark will inform users of any changes to Google's policies or services. However, we are not responsible for data loss or issues arising from changes made by these platform providers.
10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
To improve user experience, Balkan Spark may use cookies and tracking technologies provided by Google. Cookies help us track how users navigate the site and allow us to serve personalized advertisements. You can find more information about cookie usage in the Google Privacy Policy.
11. Deleting Cookies
You can clear cookies in your web browser by following these steps:
- Google Chrome: Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner > Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data > Clear browsing data > Clear cookies and other site data.
- Mozilla Firefox: Click the three-line icon in the top-right corner > Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data.
- Safari: Click Safari in the top-right menu > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All.
Please note that deleting cookies may affect the functionality of some site features.
12. Security of Your Personal Data
Google takes necessary security measures to protect the personal data it collects. However, transferring data over the internet always involves risks, and we cannot guarantee the full security of your data. We recommend that you use strong passwords and not share your account details with anyone else.
13. Third-Party Links
Balkan Spark may contain links to third-party websites or services. These are subject to the privacy policies of those third-party providers. Balkan Spark is not responsible for the data collection and privacy practices of these third parties.
14. Changes to This Policy
Balkan Spark may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be communicated to the community, and the updated policy will be made available to users. The updated policy will take effect immediately upon posting.
15. Contacting the Data Controller
Balkan Spark is the data controller responsible for your personal data. For any questions, requests, or concerns, please reach out to us at privacy@balkanspark.com. Balkan Spark will only respond to inquiries sent via this email address.
16. Your Legal Rights
Although Balkan Spark serves the Balkan region, we are based in North Macedonia. For legal matters, we are subject to North Macedonian laws. You may exercise your legal rights regarding personal data processing, storage, and deletion under North Macedonian law. If you have any complaints about how your personal data is being handled, you can contact the Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information Commission. Contact details:
17. Acceptance and Agreement
By continuing to use Balkan Spark and its services, you agree to this Privacy Policy. Balkan Spark may update this policy from time to time, and users are required to accept the updated version. We will notify users of any changes, and by continuing to use our services, users accept the new terms.
This Privacy Policy was prepared on March 21, 2026, and is effective immediately.