Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 28, 2025

Welcome to the personal website of Alexandru Stoica (https://www.alexandrustoica.dev). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information in relation to our website services.

Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to enhance your user experience, provide essential site functionality, remember your preferences (like theme choice), and gather analytics data.
• Log Data: Like most websites, our server (hosted on Render) automatically logs information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and timestamps when you access our site.
• Recommendation/Review Submissions: If you choose to submit a recommendation via our form, we collect the information you provide, such as your name, role/company, review content, and optionally your LinkedIn URL.
• Analytics Data: If you consent, we use Google Analytics to collect anonymized data about website traffic and usage patterns (e.g., pages visited, time spent, general location).

How We Use Information

• To operate and maintain the website.
• To improve user experience (e.g., remembering your theme preference).
• To display approved recommendations submitted by users.
• To analyze website traffic and usage patterns (via Google Analytics, with consent) to improve our content and services.
• To ensure the security of the website and prevent abuse (e.g., using session cookies for view counting logic, rate limiting).
• To respond to inquiries if you contact us directly.

Cookie Details

We use the following types of cookies:

• Functional / Strictly Necessary Cookies:
  • `connect.sid` (or similar name set by `express-session`): This cookie contains a randomly generated identifier that allows our server to maintain your unique browsing session while you navigate the site. It is used for basic site functionality and security. Specifically, we use the session associated with this cookie to help ensure features like the blog post view counter only increment once per user within a given time frame (e.g., one hour), preventing inaccurate counts from simple page refreshes. This cookie does not directly store personal information within your browser, only the session identifier. It is typically deleted when you close your browser, depending on browser settings. While important for certain features, you can often still browse the site if session cookies are disabled, though some functionality might be limited.
  • `cookie_consent_status`: Stores your choice regarding cookie consent ('accepted' or 'rejected'). Expires after approximately one year.
• Preference Cookies (Requires Consent):
  • `themePreference`: Stores your preferred theme (light/dark) for future visits. Expires after approximately one year. This cookie will only be set if you accept cookies via the consent banner.
• Analytics Cookies (Requires Consent):
  • `_ga`, `_gid`, etc. (Google Analytics): These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the website by collecting information anonymously. Google's privacy policy applies to their use of this data. These cookies and associated tracking scripts will only be loaded if you accept cookies via the consent banner.
• Consent Cookie:
  • `cookie_consent_status`: Stores your choice regarding cookie consent. Expires after 1 year.

You can manage cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner and also usually through your browser settings.

Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share data with:

• Service Providers: Such as our hosting provider (Render), database provider (Supabase), and Google Analytics, who process data on our behalf according to their privacy policies.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or other legal process.

Recommendations you submit and that are approved may be displayed publicly on the website including your name and role/company.

Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures (like HTTPS, security headers via Helmet) to protect your information, but no internet transmission is 100% secure.

Your Rights (GDPR Focus)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights, including the right to access, correct, update, or request deletion of your personal information. Please contact us if you wish to exercise these rights.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact Alexandru Stoica at: r.alexandru.stoica@gmail.com