Last Updated: 31 October 2025
Welcome to Smiles and Chaos (“we,” “us,” or “our”). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you visit our website or use our services.
1. Who We Are
Our website address is: https://smilesandchaos.com. We are based in New Zealand and comply with the Privacy Act 2020, including its 13 privacy principles.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect and process the following types of personal information:
- Name, email address, and contact details
- IP address, browser type, and device information
- Usage data (e.g., pages visited, time spent)
- Payment information (if applicable)
- Comments and media uploads
Comments: When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the form, along with the IP address and browser user agent string to help detect spam. An anonymized string from your email may be sent to the Gravatar service to check if you use it. You can view their privacy policy here.
Media: If you upload images, please avoid embedding location data (EXIF GPS), as visitors may extract it.
3. Why We Collect Your Information
We collect and use your information to:
- Provide and improve our services
- Respond to inquiries and feedback
- Send updates and marketing (with your consent)
- Analyze site usage and trends
- Detect spam and manage comments
- Process payments (if applicable)
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies to:
- Remember your preferences
- Analyze traffic and usage
- Improve site performance
Examples of cookies used:
| Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Comment cookies | 1 year |
| Login cookies | 2 days to 2 weeks |
| Screen display cookies | 1 year |
| Editor cookies | 1 day |
You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings. For more details, visit our Cookie Info Page.
5. Embedded Content from Other Websites
Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, articles). Embedded content behaves as if you visited the other site directly and may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction.
6. Sharing Your Information
We may share your data with:
- Trusted service providers (e.g., payment processors, hosting services)
- Legal authorities when required by law
- Analytics and marketing partners (with opt-out options)
If you request a password reset, your IP address may be included in the reset email.
We do not sell your personal information.
7. International Data Transfers
Some data may be stored or processed outside New Zealand. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable privacy protections.
8. Data Retention
- Comments and metadata are retained indefinitely.
- Registered users can view, edit, or delete their personal data (except usernames).
- Website administrators can also manage user data.
9. Your Rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020 and other applicable laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), you may:
- Access your personal data
- Correct or delete your data
- Withdraw consent
- Object to processing
- Request data portability
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@smilesandchaos.com.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our site is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us immediately.
11. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your data, including:
- Secure servers and encryption
- Limited access to personal data
- Regular security audits
However, no online system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection.
12. Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach that may cause serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner as required by law.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Significant changes will be communicated via email or site notice.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, contact us at:
📧 info@smilesandchaos.com
15. Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this website may be affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the content and operations of Smiles and Chaos.
We only promote products or services we genuinely believe in. Smiles and Chaos is a participant in affiliate programs such as [insert program name, e.g., Amazon Associates], which provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to partner sites.