Privacy & Cookie Policy

Last Updated: 10/2025

1. Introduction

Hello, I’m Rui Silva (“I,” “me,” or “my”), an independent furniture designer and maker based in Portugal. I respect your privacy and am committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy & Cookie Policy explains how I collect, use, disclose, and store personal data when you visit my website [www.ruisilvastudio.com] (the “Site”). It also describes your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and related privacy laws.

2. What Personal Data I Collect

In line with GDPR requirements, a privacy policy should clearly explain what data is collected and why. Through this Site I may collect:

  • Contact details – your name, email address and any information you include when you contact me via the website’s form or by email.

  • Newsletter details – your email address if you sign up for my newsletter.

  • Technical and usage data – IP address, browser type, device information and browsing behaviour collected by cookies and similar technologies.

  • I do not collect any sensitive personal data or information about children. If you believe I have collected data from a minor, please contact me immediately.

3. Legal Basis and Purposes

I process personal data only when I have a lawful basis under Article 6 GDPR. These bases include:

  • Contract/legitimate interests – to respond to your enquiries and provide information about my work.

  • Consent – to send newsletters or marketing communications. Consent is obtained through an affirmative action (no pre‑ticked boxes) and can be withdrawn at any time.

  • Legal obligations – to comply with applicable laws.

  • Legitimate interests – to improve the Site’s performance and security.

4. How I Collect Data

Data is collected directly from you when you fill in a form or subscribe to my newsletter, and automatically through cookies when you browse the Site.

5. How I Use Data

I use your personal data to:

  • Respond to messages and enquiries.

  • Send you my newsletter and announcements when you have opted in.

  • Improve my website and services.

  • Comply with legal obligations.

Your data will not be used for purposes inconsistent with this policy without further notice.

6. Data Sharing

I do not sell or rent your personal data. I may share information with trusted service providers (such as email marketing platforms) solely to deliver my communications. These providers are bound by confidentiality and data‑protection obligations. I may disclose data if required by law or to protect my rights.

7. Cookies and Consent Management

Cookies can constitute personal data and must be addressed in a privacy policy. My site uses a cookie‑consent banner and preferences panel similar to the one shown in your screenshot. Cookies are grouped as follows:

  • Necessary cookies – required for core site functionality and user preferences. These are always active.

  • Performance and analytics cookies – help me understand how visitors use the Site so I can improve it. These cookies are optional and disabled by default; you can enable them in the preferences panel.

  • Advertising cookies – used by advertising platforms to serve relevant ads. These cookies are also optional and disabled by default; I do not currently use them but have included the category for future transparency.

When you visit the Site for the first time, a banner appears asking you to accept or decline non‑essential cookies. You can open the “Cookie Preferences” link in the footer at any time to adjust your choices.

8. Data Retention

I keep contact‑form messages for as long as necessary to respond and maintain our relationship. Newsletter subscription data is retained until you unsubscribe. Cookie data is stored for the period stated in the cookie‑preferences panel and automatically deleted afterwards.

9. Your Rights

You have the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict your personal data, to object to processing, to request data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise any of these rights, please contact me using the details below. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Portuguese data‑protection authority.

10. Security Measures

I employ appropriate technical and organisational measures—such as secure servers, encryption, and access controls—to protect your data from unauthorized access or loss. Although no method is 100 % secure, I strive to safeguard the information you entrust to me.

11. Contact Information

For any privacy enquiries or to exercise your data‑protection rights, please contact:

Rui Silva
Rua Rio Ave, 1970
Prazins (Santa Eufémia)
4800‑615 Guimarães
Portugal
Phone: (+351) 91 411 39 33
Email: geral@ruisilvastudio.com

12. Updates to This Policy

I may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy from time to time. If I make material changes, I will post the updated policy on this page and revise the “Last Updated” date. I encourage you to review this policy periodically.