Privacy Policy - DishesMadeEasy

Last updated: November 1, 2025

Welcome to DishesMadeEasy.com (“Dishes Made Easy,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). We publish recipes and cooking tips and monetize our content with advertising and analytics. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit our website or interact with our content (including recipe cards, comments, and newsletters). It also explains your rights and choices under applicable laws.

By using the site, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the site.

1) Who we are & how to contact us

Owner/Controller: Ashley Wilson
Website: DishesMadeEasy.com
How to contact us about privacy: please use our contact form at https://dishesmadeeasy.com/contact-us/.

If you are in the EU/UK, we act as the “controller” of personal data for GDPR/UK-GDPR purposes. We have not appointed a Data Protection Officer or EU/UK representative at this time.

2) Scope of this policy

This policy applies to information we collect through our website and related services we control (for example, our recipe cards, comment features, and communications we send). It does not apply to third-party websites or services that we do not control. If you leave our site (for example, to a social media platform, a merchant, or another publisher), their privacy practices apply.

3) Information we collect

A. You provide directly

Comments and forms: name, email address, website (optional), message content, and any information you choose to include.
Newsletter subscriptions: email address and preferences, if you opt in.
Giveaways/surveys: information you submit as part of participation (e.g., name, email, responses).

B. Collected automatically (cookies, pixels, similar tech)

When you access our site, we and our service providers (including advertising and analytics partners) automatically collect:

Device and technical data: IP address, device type, operating system, browser type/version, language, screen resolution, referring URL.
Usage data: pages visited, time on page, scroll depth, clicks/taps, navigation paths, date/time stamps.
Approximate location: derived from IP address.
Ad measurement and interactions: ad requests, impressions, viewability, clicks, frequency capping, fraud/invalid traffic signals.

C. From our partners

We may receive information from advertising, measurement, and analytics partners (for example, aggregated audience segments, campaign metrics) to deliver and evaluate ads, prevent fraud, and understand traffic trends, subject to your choices and applicable law.

4) Cookies, consent & your controls

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

Strictly necessary purposes (site security, load balancing, core functionality).
Functionality (remembering preferences, such as your display name when you comment).
Performance/analytics (understanding which recipes are popular, improving navigation and content quality).
Advertising/targeting (interest-based ads, measurement, frequency capping, brand safety and fraud prevention).

Where required by law (e.g., EU/UK), we will ask for consent before using non-essential cookies. If a consent banner is presented, you can review and change your choices there. You can also manage cookies via your browser settings (for example, to block or delete cookies). Some browsers support Global Privacy Control (GPC); where required, we treat a valid GPC signal as a request to opt out of certain data uses.

Consent choices may affect site features (for example, analytics precision or personalized advertising availability).

5) How we use information

We process personal information for the following purposes, as permitted by law:

Provide and maintain the site and its features (recipe content, images, search, comments).
Operate interactive features (comments, ratings, newsletters you request).
Analytics and performance (improve content and navigation, diagnose issues, protect service quality).
Advertising and monetization (serve, measure, and improve ads; apply frequency caps; enforce brand safety; detect invalid traffic and fraud).
Communications (respond to inquiries, send administrative notices, send newsletters where you have opted in).
Security and integrity (protect accounts, services, and users; prevent spam/malware/abuse).
Legal compliance (comply with laws, respond to lawful requests, enforce our terms).
Business operations (backups, audits, administrative tasks).

Where required, we rely on your consent (e.g., for non-essential cookies or personalized ads), contract (to provide requested services), legitimate interests (e.g., site security, non-intrusive analytics), and legal obligations.

6) Advertising, interest-based ads & measurement

We monetize with third-party advertising and measurement partners (for example, major ad exchanges, supply-side platforms, and analytics providers). These partners may use cookies and identifiers to:

Deliver ads, including interest-based advertising where permitted by your choices.
Measure ad performance and viewability.
Limit the number of times you see an ad (frequency capping).
Combat fraud and invalid traffic and maintain brand safety.
Provide aggregated audience insights.

Where a consent banner is shown, your selections determine whether personalized advertising is used. You can also control cookies in your browser. Some industry programs (such as YourAdChoices/DAA, NAI, or EDAA) offer additional tools; your participation in those programs is voluntary and separate from our site. Users with Google accounts can review advertising settings within their Google account. We do not require you to use any third-party tools to exercise your choices on our site.

7) Food-blog specifics: nutrition, allergens & health

Nutrition information in our recipe cards is automatically calculated or estimated using standard assumptions and third-party tools. Actual values can vary based on ingredients, brands, and preparation. Allergen and dietary information is provided as a courtesy and may not cover all sensitivities or ingredients. Always verify labels and consult a qualified professional for medical, nutritional, or dietary advice. Our content is informational and educational and is not a substitute for professional advice.

8) Legal bases for processing (EU/UK)

Where the GDPR/UK-GDPR applies, our legal bases include:

Consent (Article 6(1)(a)) for non-essential cookies, personalized ads, and certain email marketing.
Contract (6(1)(b)) to provide requested features or respond to your inquiries.
Legitimate interests (6(1)(f)) for security, site maintenance, non-intrusive analytics, and non-personalized advertising where appropriate.
Legal obligation (6(1)(c)) to comply with applicable laws and lawful requests.

You can withdraw consent at any time via the consent banner (if available) or your browser settings; withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.

9) Your privacy rights & choices

Your rights depend on your location.

EU/UK (GDPR/UK-GDPR)

You may have the right to:

Access your personal data and obtain a copy.
Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erase data (right to be forgotten) in certain circumstances.
Restrict processing in certain cases.
Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
Data portability to receive your data in a machine-readable format.
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To exercise rights, contact us via https://dishesmadeeasy.com/contact-us/ and include “Privacy Request” in your message. You can also lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

California & other US states with privacy laws

Depending on your state, you may have the right to:

Know/Access categories and specific pieces of personal information collected.
Correct inaccuracies.
Delete personal information (subject to exceptions).
Opt out of “sale” or “sharing” of personal information and targeted advertising (as those terms are defined by law).
Limit use/disclosure of sensitive personal information (if applicable).
Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.

You can submit requests at https://dishesmadeeasy.com/contact-us/. Please specify the right you seek to exercise and provide sufficient information for us to verify your identity. If you use an authorized agent, note that in the request. Where a consent banner is available, you may also use it to adjust advertising choices. If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal, we treat it as an opt-out where required by law.

10) How we share information

We share information with:

Service providers/processors (hosting, security, email delivery, analytics, consent tools, customer support) under appropriate contracts.
Advertising and measurement partners to deliver, measure, and improve ads; apply brand-safety and fraud-prevention controls; and support monetization, consistent with your choices.
Affiliates or business partners for operational needs, if applicable.
Legal and compliance recipients to comply with laws, enforce our terms, or protect rights, safety, and property.
Business transfers (e.g., merger, acquisition, reorganization). Information may be transferred as part of such a transaction under this policy or a successor policy, with notice as required.

We do not “sell” personal information in the ordinary sense. Some privacy laws define “sale” or “sharing” broadly to include certain ad-tech disclosures. Where those laws apply, you may opt out by contacting us as described above and by using available browser or consent tools.

11) International transfers

We may process data in countries other than your own. Where GDPR/UK-GDPR applies and data is transferred outside the EEA/UK, we use lawful transfer mechanisms (for example, Standard Contractual Clauses) and take appropriate safeguards. You can contact us for more information about transfer safeguards.

12) Data retention

We retain personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy, including to provide the site, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods vary:

Comments and form submissions: retained for moderation history, spam prevention, and community integrity.
Analytics and advertising data: retained according to partner standard periods and your choices.
Logs and backups: retained for security and continuity for a limited time.

When retention is no longer required, data is deleted or anonymized.

13) Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information (e.g., HTTPS, access controls, encryption in transit, least-privilege access). No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. If we become aware of an incident affecting your information, we will take steps required by law, including notifications where applicable.

14) Children’s privacy

Our website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13 (or a different minimum age as defined by local law). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children or serve personalized advertising to children. If you believe we have collected information about a child, please contact us at https://dishesmadeeasy.com/contact-us/ and we will take appropriate steps.

15) Email choices, cookies & ads controls

Emails: You can unsubscribe from our emails using the instructions in the message, or contact us to update your preferences.
Cookies: Manage or delete cookies via your browser settings. If a consent banner is available, you can update choices there.
Advertising: Your browser may provide controls or extensions that limit tracking technologies. Some users also choose to participate in industry opt-out programs (DAA/NAI/EDAA). Use of those tools is voluntary and separate from our site.
Global Privacy Control (GPC): Where required by law, we treat a valid GPC signal as a request to opt out of certain data uses.

Blocking or deleting cookies may affect site functionality (for example, remembering your display name for comments).

16) Affiliate links & sponsored content

Some posts contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We disclose affiliate relationships in or near relevant content. Sponsored content, if any, will be identified.

17) User-generated content (comments, ratings)

Comments, ratings, photos, or tips you submit may be public. Do not share information you prefer to keep private. We moderate comments to maintain a welcoming community and may remove content that is abusive, off-topic, spam, promotional, or includes medical claims. By submitting content, you grant us the rights necessary to display and manage it on our site.

18) Region-specific disclosures & complaints

EU/EEA and UK: You may lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority if you believe our processing infringes data protection law.
United States (state privacy laws): See Section 9 for available rights and how to exercise them using our contact form.

19) Third-party links, embeds & social features

Our site may include links to other websites, social widgets, embedded media, or shopping/affiliate tools. Your interactions with those features are governed by the privacy policies of the third parties, not this policy.

20) Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or our practices. The “Last updated” date at the top indicates when changes took effect. If we make material changes, we will provide additional notice where appropriate. Your continued use of the site after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.

21) How to exercise your rights or ask questions

To exercise privacy rights, make a complaint, or ask questions about this policy, please contact us using our contact form: https://dishesmadeeasy.com/contact-us/. To help us verify and process your request, include:

Your full name.
The email address you used on our site (if applicable).
Your country/state of residence.
The specific request you are making (for example, access, deletion, correction, or opt-out).

If you are using an authorized agent, please indicate that in your message.

22) Additional information for ad reviewers and partners

We use advertising and analytics to support free recipe content. Where required by law, we obtain consent before placing non-essential cookies. When a consent banner is presented, we honor your selections; where supported and required, we also respect Global Privacy Control (GPC). We operate reasonable brand-safety, fraud-prevention, and invalid-traffic controls and maintain technical best practices (for example, secure transport and standard ad measurements).

23) Plain-language summary of your key choices

Cookies and consent: Manage via your browser settings. If a consent banner appears, use it to review or change choices.
Personalized ads: Adjust in the consent banner (if presented) or request an opt-out via our contact page.
Access, deletion, correction (where applicable): Send a request through our contact page.
Questions or complaints: Use our contact page; EU/UK users may also contact their data protection authority.

Final note for readers

We love sharing practical, delicious recipes to make cooking easier. Please remember that nutrition data is an estimate and allergen information is a courtesy—always verify labels and consult a professional for advice tailored to your needs. For any privacy questions, reach us at https://dishesmadeeasy.com/contact-us/.