Privacy Policy – European Puppy & Handler (EPAH)

Effective Date: 01/11/2025
Updated Date: 01/11/2025
Contact: EPAHC@Info.com

Who are we?

We are the European Puppy & Handler (EPAH) and operate the website – EPAHC.eu

European Puppy & Handler is a unifying organisation that brings together pups, handlers, and allies from across Europe under one playful, proud banner. We exist to strengthen the community through visibility, education, empowerment, and ethical celebration. Our mission is rooted in joy, consent, and collective care — honouring the past while building an inclusive future for all pup and pet play forms.

Founded within the queer fetish scene, European Puppy & Handler is a vibrant, community-led initiative that celebrates the diversity, creativity, and connection at the heart of Europe’s pup and handler communities. Far more than a contest, it’s a movement that champions inclusion, visibility, and care at every turn.

Each year, we come together to elect European titleholders who represent the very best of our community: compassionate, confident, and committed to supporting others across borders, kinks, and identities.

What This Policy Covers

This policy explains how we collect data, store, use and protect data in full compliance with European data protection laws.

How we collect data

Contest participation and event attendance are restricted to adults (18+). We do not knowingly collect data from minors.

Comments

When you leave comments on our website, we collect:

The information you provide in the comment form (name, email, website)

Your IP address and browser user agent string (to help detect spam)

An anonymised email hash may be sent to the Gravatar service if you use a Gravatar. Once your comment is approved, your profile picture is visible publicly in the context of your comment. Gravatar’s privacy policy is here: https://automattic.com/privacy/.

Media

When you upload images to this website or any associated or aligned platforms, please know that some photos may contain identifiable faces or recognisable individuals. By uploading such content, you can confirm that you have obtained appropriate consent from anyone in the image and have the right to share the material.

To protect everyone’s privacy and safety:

Please remove or turn off any embedded metadata (such as EXIF GPS data) before uploading, as this may include precise location information.
Do not upload images that include sensitive personal information (e.g., identity documents, private addresses, or contact details), unless otherwise stated – covered by personal data.
Uploaded content may be reviewed, moderated, or archived in accordance with our data protection and ethical guidelines.

We collect and process identifiable visual data only for purposes clearly stated on our platform and at events, such as documentation, contest participation, archival, or community engagement. All visual data is handled with care, stored securely, and will never be shared publicly without consent.

Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to help the website function and improve your experience. Some cookies are essential (e.g. for site security or remembering preferences), while others (e.g. analytics cookies) help us understand how the site is used.

Essential Cookies – Necessary for website functionality. These cannot be disabled.
Analytics Cookies – Help us understand how people use our site so we can improve it.
Performance Cookies – Help us ensure the site runs smoothly.

Personal Data

Name, D.o.b, Age, Email, Telephone Number, Images, We visually validate ID as part of the contest registration to prove identity and age. We do not retain a copy of the document (except where details are collected via the form, i.e. Name, D.o.B)

Some contest materials (e.g., stage names, attire, event photography) may indirectly reveal information about sexual orientation or community affiliation. I’d like to point out that such data is treated with additional care and processed only where relevant to contest participation or public representation, in line with GDPR Article 9(2)(d).

How we store data

Event imagery and other data may be processed or hosted by trusted third-party services (e.g., website hosts, social media platforms, or cloud storage providers). These providers operate under data-processing agreements that are compliant with the UK GDPR.

Website data

Retained indefinitely to allow automatic approval of follow-up comments

User accounts: Stored in your profile; you can edit, view, or delete information at any time (except username)

Embedded content can collect data, e.g. cookies. We do not control the practices of these third parties. Please take a look at the cookies policy.

Contest data

We retain contest and event records for archival and historical purposes. Still, personal data not required for ongoing community records will be securely deleted after a defined period (12 months post-event).

Participants may request removal or anonymisation at any time.

How we use data

Website

Our website may include content embedded from other websites (e.g., videos, images). These third-party sites may:

Collect data about you
Use cookies and tracking
Monitor interactions with embedded content

We do not control these third-party practices.

We process personal data for the following lawful purposes:

To communicate with you regarding your comments or site updates (legitimate interest)
To personalise and improve the website experience (legitimate interest)
To prevent fraud and spam (legitimate interest)

Please free to withdraw your consent anytime by contacting us at EPAHC@Info.com or emailing opt-out links.

We may share your data with:

Google Analytics for anonymised analytics
Automated spam detection services for comments
Other service providers are only used where necessary to provide website services

Contest

To manage contest applications, participation, and results (contractual necessity):

This includes collecting and processing information you provide when entering the contest, such as names, stage names, contact details, and submitted materials.

To communicate with you regarding contest logistics, judging, and related updates (legitimate interest):

We use your contact information to ensure smooth contest operations, provide updates, and respond to enquiries.

To document and archive contest events and participants (legitimate interest):

We may photograph or record events to maintain a public record of past contests, celebrate participants, and preserve the cultural and historical value of the community. These archives may be displayed on our website or associated platforms.

To use selected photographs, videos, or related materials for promotional purposes (legitimate interest):

Event and contest imagery may be used to promote future contests or community initiatives, including on our website, social media, and printed materials. We take care to ensure respectful and appropriate use of all visual content, and participants may request removal of specific images where reasonable.

We may share your data with:

Share images to 3rd party social media platforms for the purpose of archiving or promotion
Images with other associations
By submitting your data via data collection platforms, e.g. Google Forms, you are sharing your data with other 3rd party platforms
Associated sponsors, including Darklands: We Are One foundation – Images and emails

How we protect data

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against accidental loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

Your Rights

You have the following rights under UK GDPR:

Access the personal data we hold about you
Request correction or deletion of your personal data
Withdraw consent for processing where consent is the basis
Object to data processing for legitimate interests or marketing
Request data portability

If you want to exercise your rights, please contact us at: EPAHC@Info.com.

We may update this policy occasionally. The latest version will always be available https://epahc.eu/privacy-policy/