Privacy Policy

Balkan Gate ("Balkan Gate", "we", "us", or "our") helps travelers discover locations, events, and experiences across Serbia through our mobile app and this companion web portal. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use Balkan Gate, how we use and protect it, and the choices available to you.

By creating an account, browsing as a guest, or otherwise using Balkan Gate, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the app.

We collect the following categories of information:

• Account information — first and last name, email address, and password (stored securely as a salted hash, never in plain text) when you register for an account.
• Profile information — an optional profile picture and, if applicable, a promo code you've entered.
• Content you submit — locations you propose for the map, star ratings, written reviews and comments, and any photos attached to your submissions.
• Favourites & preferences — the locations and events you save, and the categories you browse or follow.
• Guest / device data — if you use Balkan Gate without an account, a randomly generated device token identifies your device so we can save your favourites and reviews. See "Guest Mode & Device Tokens" below.
• Usage & technical data — general diagnostic information such as app version, device/browser type, and access logs, used for security, troubleshooting, and improving the service.

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and authenticate your account, and keep you signed in securely (via encrypted session cookies and JWT tokens for the mobile app).
• Show you the locations, events, and favourites relevant to you, and let you save, rate, and review places.
• Review and moderate location submissions before they are published, so the map stays accurate and useful for everyone.
• Send essential account emails, such as password reset links.
• Maintain the security and integrity of the platform, prevent abuse, and diagnose technical issues.
• Improve Balkan Gate's features based on aggregated, non-identifying usage trends.

Balkan Gate lets you save favourite locations and leave reviews without creating an account. In this "guest mode," your device is identified by a device token — a random identifier generated and stored on your device, not linked to your name or email. Reviews and favourites saved this way remain tied to that device token.

If you later register for an account, your guest activity is not automatically merged into it. You can always uninstall the app or clear its data to reset your device token and its associated activity.

We only share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Public content — reviews, ratings, and location submissions you post are visible to other users of the app as part of its core functionality.
• Service providers — trusted providers who support our infrastructure, such as hosting, database, and transactional email delivery, and who are bound to protect your data.
• Legal reasons — if required to comply with a legal obligation, protect our rights, or ensure the safety of our users.
• Business transfers — if Balkan Gate is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may transfer as part of that transaction, subject to this policy.

We retain account information for as long as your account remains active. If you request account deletion, we remove or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it for legal, security, or record-keeping purposes. Guest device data persists until you clear your device's app data or contact us for removal.

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

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information, e.g. via your account settings.
• Request deletion of your account and associated personal data.
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your information.

To exercise any of these rights, reach out using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Balkan Gate is not directed at children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.

We apply industry-standard safeguards to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), securely hashed passwords, and token-based authentication for the mobile app. That said, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to Balkan Gate or applicable law. We'll update the "Effective" date above, and where changes are significant, we'll provide additional notice in the app.