Privacy Policy

Effective date: 01.03.2026

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for the processing of personal data is:
TSTYLETHEBEST.KFT
Registered office: 4400 Nyíregyháza, Bethlen Gábor utca 25, Hungary
Company Registration Number: 15-09-085352
EU VAT Number: HU26347114
Email: thecontinental.pageants@gmail.com
Personal data is processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation – "GDPR") and applicable Hungarian data protection law.

2. Scope of Application

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal data processed in connection with:
• The operation of the website
• Contest participation and director applications
• Ticket sales
• Publication of participant content
• Marketing and communications
• Business operations related to the above
The website and services are offered globally.

3. Categories of Personal Data

3.1 Data Provided Directly by Users
We may process the following personal data:
• Full name
• Email address
• Country of residence
• Date of birth
• Telephone number
• Photographs submitted for participation
• Application-related information
• Ticket purchase information
Participants voluntarily submit photographs as part of the application process.
We do not request or process sensitive personal data (such as health data, ethnicity, religion, or biometric data).

3.2 Data Collected Automatically
When users access the website, certain technical data may be collected:
• IP address
• Device and browser information
• Pages visited and duration
• Interaction data
• Referring URLs
This data may be collected via cookies and analytics tools.

4. Publication of Participant Content

Participants acknowledge and accept that photographs submitted for participation may be published publicly on:
• The website
• Social media platforms
• Promotional materials
Publication is necessary for contest administration and promotion.
By submitting photographs, participants grant TSTYLETHEBEST.KFT the right to use, display, reproduce, and distribute such content in connection with the contest and related promotional activities.
Participants may request removal; however, removal may not affect materials already published or distributed.

5. Purposes of Processing

Personal data is processed for the following purposes:
• Administration and management of contests
• Evaluation of applications
• Publication of participant materials
• Processing of ticket purchases via Stripe Checkout
• Communication with users
• Website security and fraud prevention
• Statistical analysis and service improvement
• Marketing communications (where legally permitted or consented to)
We do not carry out automated decision-making producing legal or similarly significant effects.

6. Legal Bases for Processing

Processing is based on one or more of the following legal grounds under Article 6 GDPR:
• Performance of a contract (contest participation, ticket purchase)
• Pre-contractual steps at the request of the data subject
• Compliance with legal obligations (tax, accounting)
• Legitimate interests (website security, promotion, business development)
• Consent (marketing communications, non-essential cookies, publication where required)
Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

7. Payments

Payments are processed exclusively through Stripe Checkout.
TSTYLETHEBEST.KFT does not store or process full payment card data.
Stripe acts as an independent data controller for payment processing under its own privacy policy.
Only necessary transaction data is shared to complete purchases.

8. Cookies and Analytics

The website may use:
• Essential cookies
• Analytics tools (e.g., Google services)
• Marketing tools (if activated in the future)
Non-essential cookies are used only with user consent through the cookie banner.
Future activation of advertising tools (e.g., Meta Pixel, Google Ads) will be subject to applicable legal requirements and consent where required.

9. Data Sharing

Personal data may be shared with:
• Payment providers (Stripe)
• Hosting providers (Ukraine-based hosting infrastructure)
• Cloud storage providers (e.g., Google Drive)
• IT and technical service providers
• Legal and accounting advisors
All third parties process data under contractual safeguards and confidentiality obligations.

10. International Data Transfers

Due to the global nature of the services:
• Personal data may be transferred outside the European Union or EEA
• Hosting infrastructure may involve cross-border processing
• Service providers such as Google and Stripe may process data internationally
Where required, transfers are safeguarded through:
• European Commission adequacy decisions
• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
• Other lawful transfer mechanisms under GDPR

11. Data Retention

Personal data is retained only as long as necessary for:
• Contest administration
• Publication and promotional purposes
• Compliance with legal obligations (including tax and accounting laws)
• Protection of legal claims
Financial records are retained in accordance with Hungarian statutory retention requirements.
Upon expiry of retention periods, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

12. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures, including:
• Restricted access controls
• Secure storage systems
• Organisational confidentiality obligations
However, no internet-based system can be guaranteed as fully secure.

13. Rights of Data Subjects

Under GDPR, individuals have the right to:
• Access their personal data
• Rectify inaccurate data
• Request erasure
• Restrict processing
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Data portability (where applicable)
• Withdraw consent at any time
Requests may be submitted to: thecontinental.pageants@gmail.com
Individuals also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Hungarian National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) or with the supervisory authority in their country of residence.

14. Children

The services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age.
If personal data of a minor is identified, it will be deleted without undue delay.

15. Marketing Communications

Marketing communications may be sent where legally permitted or based on prior consent.
Recipients may unsubscribe at any time.

16. Amendments

This Privacy Policy may be amended to reflect operational or legal changes.
The current version will always be available on the website with the effective date indicated above.

Contacts

For privacy-related requests or questions:
• Email: thecontinental.pageants@gmail.com
• Instagram: @thecontinentalpageants
• Facebook: facebook.com/The Continental Pageants Europe