This Privacy Policy explains what information Dansal.lk collects when you use our website, and how we use, share and protect it. By using the site you agree to this policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect only the information needed to run the service:
- Approximate location (optional): When you tap "Locate Me", your browser's Geolocation API provides your coordinates so we can centre the map near you. This is used in your browser only and is not stored on our servers.
- Listing submissions: Details you enter when adding a dansal, thoran or lantern zone - such as titles, descriptions, landmarks, organiser names and uploaded poster images - are stored so they can be shown publicly on the map.
- Verification details: To keep listings genuine and prevent spam, adding a listing requires a phone number, which we confirm with a one-time code sent by SMS. The number is stored to limit abuse and to let you manage your own submissions.
- Newsletter email (optional): If you sign up for season updates, we store your email address solely to send those updates. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email.
- Technical & security data: Like most websites, we automatically receive your IP address, browser and device type, and similar technical details. We use a human-verification challenge and these signals to protect the site from bots, fraud and abuse.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information described above to:
- display the public map of dansals, thoran and lantern zones;
- verify submissions and prevent spam, fraud and abuse;
- send newsletter updates to people who opt in;
- maintain, secure and improve the website; and
- serve ads that keep the service free.
3. Log Files
Dansal.lk uses standard server log files. These include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages and number of clicks. This information is used to analyse trends, administer the site, and understand how the site is used. It is not linked to information that personally identifies you.
4. Cookies & Third-Party Advertising
To keep Dansal.lk free for everyone and support our running costs, we display ads served by Google AdSense.
- Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies (including the DoubleClick DART cookie) to serve ads based on your prior visits to Dansal.lk and other websites.
- Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to this and/or other sites on the internet.
- Where required (for example, for visitors in the EEA, the UK and Switzerland), we ask for your consent before personalised ads are shown, in line with Google's requirements. You can change your choice at any time.
- You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of third-party vendors' cookies at www.aboutads.info.
- For more on how Google uses data from sites that use its services, see Google's Privacy & Terms.
We do not share the data you submit (such as specific dansal locations, names, phone numbers or emails) with advertisers. Ads are served using generalised web tracking governed by the respective ad networks.
5. Local Storage & Analytics
Beyond advertising cookies, the site uses essential browser storage to work properly - for example, caching map data in your browser's local storage for speed, and a short-lived session token when you verify a listing. We may also use privacy-friendly analytics to understand aggregate, non-identifying usage (such as which pages are visited). These are necessary for the site to function or to keep it reliable.
6. Service Providers & International Transfers
We rely on trusted third-party providers to operate the site - for example to host our servers, deliver email, send verification messages, store uploaded images and serve ads. These providers may process your information only to perform services on our behalf and are required to keep it confidential. We do not sell your personal information.
Some of these providers operate servers outside Sri Lanka. Where your information is transferred abroad, we take reasonable steps to ensure it continues to be protected in line with this policy.
7. Data Retention
We keep personal information only for as long as it is needed for the purposes above, then delete or anonymise it:
- one-time verification codes are deleted shortly after they are used or expire;
- phone numbers and submission records are kept while a listing is active and for a reasonable period afterwards to prevent abuse and let you manage your submissions;
- newsletter email addresses are kept until you unsubscribe;
- server logs are kept for a limited period for security and diagnostics.
8. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit (HTTPS), restricted access to systems, and abuse and rate-limiting controls. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to safeguard your data and limit what we collect.
9. Your Rights & Removal Requests
You may ask us to access, correct or delete the personal information we hold about you (such as your phone number or newsletter email). If you find an inaccurate listing, or an image containing private content uploaded without permission, email us with the listing name and location. To make any request, contact hello@dansal.lk and the Dansal.lk team will respond promptly.
10. Image Uploads
Poster or handbill images uploaded by users are checked and stored on secure cloud storage so they can appear on the map. Please make sure your uploads do not contain unwanted personal information (for example, embedded EXIF location data) before submitting.
11. Children's Privacy
Dansal.lk is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
12. External Links
Our site may link to third-party websites (such as opt-out pages or map directions). We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites; please review their own policies.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by the "last updated" date above.
14. Contact Us
Questions about this policy? Email us at hello@dansal.lk.