Last Updated: September 15, 2025
At 18Candles, we understand that privacy matters, especially when it comes to dating and travel resources. This 18Candles privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. We’ve designed this policy to be transparent and straightforward, so you can feel confident about how your data is handled while using our services.
Our commitment is to maintain your trust through responsible data practices. Whether you’re browsing dating profiles or researching international travel options, we want you to understand exactly what information we collect and why. Please take a moment to read through this policy carefully.
Information We Collect
18Candles collects several types of information to provide you with the best possible experience. Understanding what we collect helps you make informed decisions about sharing your data.
Types of information 18Candles collects to provide and improve our services
Information You Provide Voluntarily
When you interact with our website, you may choose to provide us with certain information, including:
- Contact information (name, email address, phone number)
- Account details when you register (username, password)
- Profile information (age, location, dating preferences)
- Communication content when you contact our support team
- Survey responses and feedback you choose to provide
- Payment information when booking travel or dating services through our affiliate partners
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit 18Candles.com, certain information is collected automatically through technologies like cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking methods:
- IP address and device information
- Browser type and settings
- Operating system
- Pages viewed and time spent on our site
- Referring websites or search terms
- Clickstream data and navigation patterns
- Dating profiles or travel options you view
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. These technologies help us understand how you interact with 18Candles and improve our services.
What are cookies? Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites remember your preferences and improve your browsing experience. 18Candles privacy policy requires us to inform you about all cookies we use.
We use several types of cookies on our website:
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.
Analytical Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the website structure and content.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.
Targeting/Advertising Cookies
These cookies are used to track visitors across websites. They are set to display targeted advertisements and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third parties, including:
- Dating app partners when you connect their services to 18Candles
- Travel booking sites when you use our affiliate links
- Social media platforms if you interact with our content or connect your social accounts
- Analytics providers who help us understand website traffic and usage patterns
How We Use Your Information
Understanding how we use your information helps you make informed choices about sharing your data with 18Candles. We use the information we collect for various purposes, always with the goal of providing better service and experiences.
How 18Candles uses your information to improve your experience
Providing and Improving Our Services
We use your information to:
- Operate and maintain the 18Candles website
- Improve site navigation and user experience
- Develop new features and functionality
- Troubleshoot technical issues and bugs
- Monitor site performance and analyze usage patterns
- Protect against fraudulent or unauthorized activity
Personalization and Recommendations
We analyze your browsing behavior and preferences to:
- Recommend dating profiles that match your interests
- Suggest travel destinations based on your browsing history
- Personalize content to align with your preferences
- Remember your settings and choices
- Provide location-based recommendations when appropriate
Communication and Support
We use your contact information to:
- Respond to your inquiries and support requests
- Send important updates about our services
- Provide information about features you might find valuable
- Notify you about changes to our policies or terms
- Send administrative messages related to your account
Marketing and Promotional Communications
With your consent, we may use your information to:
- Send newsletters about dating tips and travel advice
- Inform you about special offers from our affiliate partners
- Share updates about new features on 18Candles
- Invite you to participate in surveys or provide feedback
Your Control: You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails or contacting us directly. This will not affect essential service communications.
Legal and Compliance Purposes
We may use your information to:
- Comply with applicable laws and regulations
- Respond to legal requests and prevent harm
- Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
- Protect our rights, property, or safety
- Detect and prevent fraud or security breaches
Affiliate Links Disclaimer
18Candles partners with various dating services, travel booking platforms, and other relevant companies to provide you with comprehensive resources. Understanding how these partnerships work is an important part of our 18Candles privacy policy.
How affiliate tracking works when you click links on 18Candles
How Affiliate Links Work
When you click on certain links on our website, you may be directed to third-party websites of our affiliate partners. These links contain special tracking codes that allow us to earn a commission when you make a purchase or sign up for services through these links.
Our affiliate partnerships include:
- Dating applications and websites
- Travel booking platforms like Agoda and Booking.com
- Tour operators and experience providers
- Hotel chains and accommodation services
- Travel insurance providers
Tracking and Cookies
When you click an affiliate link, the following may occur:
- A tracking cookie may be placed on your device by the affiliate partner
- Your click may be recorded to attribute any subsequent purchase to our referral
- The affiliate partner may collect information about your visit and activities on their site
- This tracking typically lasts for a set period (often 30-90 days)
Important: Once you leave our website and visit an affiliate partner’s site, their privacy policy and terms apply. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third parties before providing any personal information.
Information Shared with Affiliates
When you use affiliate links, the following information may be shared with our partners:
- The fact that you came from 18Candles (referral source)
- Your IP address and basic device information
- The specific link or product you were interested in
- Non-personally identifiable browsing information
We do not directly share your personal information with our affiliate partners unless you explicitly provide consent or it is necessary to fulfill a service you have requested.
Transparency in Recommendations
We are committed to transparency regarding our affiliate relationships. All recommendations and reviews on 18Candles are based on genuine assessment of quality and relevance to our users, though we may earn commissions from some recommended services.
For more detailed information about our affiliate relationships, please visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Data Sharing and Third Parties
We understand that who we share your data with is a critical concern. This section of our 18Candles privacy policy explains when and how we share information with third parties.
How 18Candles protects your data when sharing with trusted partners
Our Data Sharing Principles
We want to be clear about our approach to sharing your information:
18Candles does not sell your personal information to third parties. We value your privacy and trust, and we do not engage in the practice of selling user data.
However, we do share information in specific circumstances as outlined below.
Service Providers
We work with trusted third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf. These providers have access to your information only to perform these tasks and are obligated to protect your data. Our service providers include:
- Website hosting and cloud infrastructure providers
- Analytics and performance monitoring services
- Customer support and communication platforms
- Payment processors (though we do not directly process payments)
- Email delivery and management services
- Security and fraud prevention services
Affiliate Partners
As mentioned in our Affiliate Links section, we partner with various companies to provide you with dating and travel resources. These partners include:
- Dating applications and websites
- Travel booking platforms (Agoda, Booking.com, etc.)
- Tour operators and experience providers
- Hotel chains and accommodation services
When you click on affiliate links, certain non-personally identifiable information may be shared with these partners as described in the Affiliate Links section.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency). We may also disclose your information to:
- Comply with a legal obligation
- Protect and defend our rights or property
- Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service
- Protect the personal safety of users or the public
- Protect against legal liability
Business Transfers
If 18Candles is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your personal information may be transferred as a business asset. In such cases, we will provide notice before your personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
With Your Consent
We may share your personal information for other purposes with your explicit consent.
International Data Transfers: Your information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ. If you are located outside the United States and choose to provide information to us, please note that we transfer the data to the United States and process it there.
Security Measures
Protecting your personal information is a top priority for 18Candles. We implement various security measures to safeguard your data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
Security measures implemented by 18Candles to protect your personal information
Technical Safeguards
We employ industry-standard security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information:
- SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
- Secure hosting environments with regular security updates
- Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
- Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
- Data encryption for sensitive information
Organizational Measures
Beyond technical solutions, we implement organizational practices to enhance security:
- Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Staff training on privacy and security best practices
- Vendor assessment and security requirements for service providers
- Regular review and updates to our security protocols
- Incident response procedures in case of data breaches
Important Notice: While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.
Your Role in Security
You also play an important role in protecting your information:
- Use strong, unique passwords for any accounts
- Be cautious about what personal information you share on public profiles
- Keep your devices and browsers updated
- Be alert to phishing attempts or suspicious communications
- Log out of your account when using shared computers
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When determining retention periods, we consider:
- The amount, nature, and sensitivity of the personal information
- The potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure
- The purposes for which we process the data
- Whether we can achieve those purposes through other means
- Applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual requirements
Third-Party Services
18Candles uses various third-party services to enhance functionality, analyze site performance, and provide specialized features. Understanding these relationships is an important part of our privacy policy.
Third-party services that help power the 18Candles experience
Analytics and Performance Monitoring
We use analytics services to understand how visitors interact with our website:
- Google Analytics: Helps us analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google’s privacy policy can be found at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
- Hotjar: Provides heatmaps and session recordings to improve user experience. Hotjar’s privacy policy can be found at https://www.hotjar.com/legal/policies/privacy/.
Advertising and Affiliate Networks
We work with various advertising and affiliate networks:
- Dating App Affiliate Programs: Track referrals when you sign up for dating services through our links.
- Travel Booking Partners: Including Agoda, Booking.com, and others who may use cookies to track referrals from our site.
- Google Ads: May use cookies for remarketing and ad personalization. Google’s privacy policy applies to these services.
Content and Functionality Providers
We integrate various services to enhance site functionality:
- Hosting Providers: Store and serve our website content.
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Improve loading speeds and performance.
- Email Service Providers: Handle newsletter subscriptions and communications.
- Social Media Platforms: Enable sharing and social features when you interact with our content.
Important: When you interact with third-party services through our website, their privacy policies and terms apply. We encourage you to review these policies before providing personal information or using these services.
Links to Other Websites
Our website contains links to other websites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party’s site. We strongly advise you to review the privacy policy of every site you visit.
We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services. These third-party websites may place their own cookies or other files on your computer, collect data, or solicit personal information from you.
Your Rights and Choices
At 18Candles, we respect your control over your personal information. This section explains the rights you have regarding your data and how to exercise them.
Your rights and control options under the 18Candles privacy policy
Access and Control of Your Information
Depending on your location, you may have various rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: You can request copies of your personal information we hold.
- Correction: You can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information in certain circumstances.
- Restriction: You can ask us to limit how we use your personal information.
- Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format.
- Objection: You can object to our processing of your information in certain circumstances.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section.
Cookie Preferences
You have several options to manage cookie preferences:
- Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or accept cookies through their settings. Visit your browser’s help section to learn how to manage cookies.
- Cookie Consent Tool: We provide a cookie consent management tool when you first visit our site, allowing you to select which types of cookies you accept.
- Opt-Out Links: Many third-party advertising networks offer opt-out options. For example, you can opt out of many third-party services through the Network Advertising Initiative or the Digital Advertising Alliance.
Please Note: Blocking all cookies may impact your experience on our website, as some features may not function properly without essential cookies.
Email Communications
If you receive marketing emails from us, you can opt out at any time:
- Click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any marketing email
- Contact us directly with your request to be removed from marketing lists
- Update your communication preferences in your account settings (if applicable)
Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you important administrative messages related to your use of our services.
Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers have a “Do Not Track” feature that signals to websites that you don’t want your online activities tracked. Due to the lack of a common understanding of how to interpret these signals, our website does not currently respond to Do Not Track browser signals.
California Privacy Rights
California residents may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other state laws. These may include the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information.
European Privacy Rights
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition to the rights listed above, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you believe our processing of your personal information violates applicable law.
Policy Updates
The digital landscape and privacy regulations are constantly evolving. To ensure our practices remain current and compliant, we may update this 18Candles privacy policy from time to time.
How we update our privacy policy and notify users of changes
How We Make Changes
When we make changes to this privacy policy, we will:
- Update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
- Post a notice on our website for significant changes
- Send an email notification to registered users for material changes
- Maintain previous versions for reference upon request
Your Responsibility
We encourage you to review this privacy policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal information. Your continued use of our website after any changes to this privacy policy constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
Historical Versions: If you would like to review previous versions of our privacy policy, please contact us using the information in the “Contact Us” section.
Notification of Material Changes
For significant changes that materially affect your rights or how we use your personal information, we will provide more prominent notice:
- Email notifications to registered users
- Prominent website banners or notifications
- In some cases, requesting renewed consent
We define “material changes” as changes that significantly reduce your rights or expand our uses of your personal information. Administrative or minor updates may be made without specific notification.
Children’s Privacy
18Candles is designed for adult users seeking dating and travel information. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18.
18Candles is intended for adult users only
Age Restrictions
Our services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. If you are under 18, please do not use or provide any information on our website.
Inadvertent Collection
If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 18 without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information from our servers as quickly as possible.
Parental Notice: If you believe we might have collected information from a child under 18, please contact us immediately using the information in the “Contact Us” section.
International Users
18Candles is operated from the United States. If you are accessing our website from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our servers are located.
How we protect data for international users
Data Transfer Mechanisms
When transferring personal information from the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland to countries that may not provide the same level of data protection, we implement appropriate safeguards:
- Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
- Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)
- Data protection agreements with third-party service providers
- Obtaining your explicit consent for certain transfers
Regional Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have specific rights regarding your personal information. We are committed to respecting these rights and complying with applicable data protection laws, including:
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union
- The UK GDPR in the United Kingdom
- The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada
- The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
- Other regional and national privacy laws
Legal Basis for Processing: For users in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, we process your personal information based on legitimate interests, consent, contractual necessity, or legal obligations. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time, where relevant.
Contact Us
We welcome your questions, concerns, and feedback regarding this privacy policy and our privacy practices. If you would like to exercise your privacy rights or have any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Ways to contact us about privacy concerns
How to Reach Us
You can contact us through any of the following methods:
For privacy-related inquiries:
privacy@18candles.com
For general questions:
support@18candles.com
Contact Form
Visit our Contact Page to submit a detailed inquiry through our secure form.
Postal Mail
18Candles Privacy Team
123 Dating Street
Suite 456
New York, NY 10001
United States
Response Time
We strive to respond to all legitimate inquiries within 30 days. In some cases, particularly for complex requests or during high volume periods, our response may take longer. We appreciate your patience.
Data Protection Officer
For users in regions where applicable, our Data Protection Officer can be contacted at:
Privacy Rights Requests: When submitting requests related to your personal information, please provide sufficient information that allows us to verify your identity. We may ask for specific information to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal information (or to exercise any of your other rights).
Related Resources
For additional information about how we handle your data and your relationship with 18Candles, please review these related documents:
Conclusion
At 18Candles, we are committed to protecting your privacy while providing valuable dating and travel resources. This privacy policy reflects our dedication to transparency and responsible data practices.
We understand that trust is essential, especially when it comes to personal information related to dating preferences and travel plans. We strive to earn and maintain your trust by handling your information with care and respect.
By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this privacy policy. We encourage you to revisit this policy periodically as it may be updated to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.
Thank you for trusting 18Candles with your privacy. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our commitment to your privacy and trust
