1 Data controller
This policy explains what personal data is processed when you use vidarbergum.com (formerly akitcheninistanbul.com) and related services (including the newsletter and membership), why we process it, and what rights you have.
Meze AS (org. no. 929 407 075), a company registered in Norway, is the data controller for the processing of personal data described in this policy.
Contact information:
Vidar Bergum <vidar@vidarbergum.com>
This privacy policy was last updated on 12 June 2026.
2 Cookies
The website uses cookies and similar technologies. With the exception of strictly necessary cookies, these are only set after you have given your consent in the consent box shown on your first visit, as required by the GDPR and the Norwegian Electronic Communications Act.
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time via the “Update Privacy Preferences” button at the bottom of the page. You can also delete cookies in your browser settings.
Tools used on vidarbergum.com
A Kitchen in Istanbul uses the services Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Microsoft Clarity, Slickstream, ConvertBox and the Meta Pixel.
The services from Google and Microsoft are used for aggregate analysis of traffic to and from the website, with the aim of improving its content.
Slickstream is used to improve the user experience through site search, the ability to save favourite recipes and more relevant recommendations.
ConvertBox is used for newsletter sign-up forms, and to recognise existing subscribers so that you are not shown unnecessary sign-up prompts.
The Meta Pixel from Meta (Facebook) registers that you have visited the website, so that we can show relevant content to people who have already read here, and reach readers with similar interests. It does not identify you by name to us, and we never upload email addresses or other subscriber data to Meta.
These services may process information such as your IP address and device and usage information. The processing is based on your consent.
List of cookies
The following cookies are currently in use on the website:
| Category | Cookies | Purpose and duration |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary (no consent required) | wordpress_*, wp-settings-*, wpdiscuz_nonce_*, __stripe_mid, __cmpconsentx*, __cmpccc* | WordPress login and settings, membership sessions (MemberPress), comment security, payment fraud prevention (Stripe) and storage of your consent choices. Duration: from session to 1 year. |
| Analytics (consent required) | _ga, _ga_*, _gid, _clck, _clsk, CLID, wprm_analytics_visitor | Visitor statistics from Google Analytics (up to 13 months), usage analysis from Microsoft Clarity (up to 1 year) and first-party recipe analytics (WP Recipe Maker). Used to improve the content of the website. |
| Marketing (consent required) | __gads, __gpi, __eoi, _cc_id, cto_*, _fbp, _fbc | Advertising partners via Raptive set their own cookies and similar identifiers; a complete and up-to-date list is available in the consent box. The Meta Pixel sets _fbp, and _fbc if you arrive from a Facebook or Instagram link, to build advertising audiences on those platforms. Duration: up to 3 months. |
| Functionality and embedded content (consent required) | slick-reader-id, ck_subscriber_id | Saving favourite recipes and personalised recommendations (Slickstream) and recognition of existing newsletter subscribers (Kit/ConvertBox). Third-party services may set their own cookies when embedded content is shown on a page. See the consent box for durations. |
3 Personal data
We process personal data about everyone who has, or has had, a newsletter subscription or membership on this website.
We process this data for the following purposes, on the following legal bases (GDPR Article 6(1)) and with the following retention periods:
- Newsletter (name, email address, open and click history): consent (point (a)). Stored until you unsubscribe. Unsubscribed profiles are then kept as inactive on a suppression list, so that your opt-out is respected; inactive profiles receive no mailings.
- Membership (name, email address, membership history): contract (point (b)). Stored for as long as the membership lasts, and thereafter for as long as necessary to document the customer relationship and handle any claims. Records covered by the Norwegian Bookkeeping Act are kept for at least five years.
- Purchases and payments (invoicing details): legal obligation (point (c), cf. the Norwegian Bookkeeping Act). Stored for at least five years after the end of the financial year.
- Analytics and advertising via cookies (IP address, device and usage information): consent (point (a)). Retention per cookie is listed in the table above.
- Enquiries by email, in the comment section or on social media (name, contact details and the content of the enquiry): legitimate interest in answering and documenting enquiries (point (f)). Stored for as long as necessary for this purpose.
- Documentation in connection with complaints or disputes: legitimate interest (point (f)). Stored until the matter is closed or the claim is time-barred.
Personal data is mainly collected when you sign up for the newsletter or purchase a membership on this website. It may also be collected when you sign up elsewhere, for example in connection with reader surveys. Personal data may also be stored in connection with communication with us, for example by email or on social media, and through your use of this website.
In addition to the data you provide yourself, we may collect technical data such as IP address, usage patterns, language, and information about the device and software you use, including the type of phone, browser and operating system.
Providing personal data is voluntary. Some data, such as an email address, is nevertheless necessary in order to deliver the newsletter or membership.
4 Data processors and storage
The data is mainly stored with third parties bound by data processing agreements under GDPR Article 28.
Newsletter
Personal data related to the newsletter is stored by Kit (formerly ConvertKit). Subscribers are encouraged to read about how Kit processes personal data: kit.com/privacy.
We use ConvertBox as our sign-up form provider. ConvertBox processes limited data, including whether you are already a subscriber, in order to show relevant forms (convertbox.com/gdpr).
Providers may change; this policy will be updated in the event of material changes. Regular backups are taken of the subscriber database, stored locally and in cloud services.
Membership
Membership on this website is managed with MemberPress, software that runs on our own website. Member data is stored in the website’s own database, hosted by SiteGround within the EU.
Paying members will also have personal data stored with Stripe, Inc., our payment services provider (stripe.com/privacy).
Transfers outside the EEA
Several of our providers process data in the United States. Kit, Stripe, Google, Microsoft and Meta are certified under the EU–US Data Privacy Framework, which the European Commission has approved as a transfer mechanism. For other providers, including Raptive (whose services include Slickstream), ConvertBox and Anthropic, transfers take place on the basis of the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.
5 Advertising
The website contains third-party advertising managed entirely by Raptive (raptive.com), which provides the following privacy information:
Advertising. CMI Marketing, Inc., d/b/a Raptive (“Raptive”) is a service provider of this Site for the purposes of placing advertising on the Site, and Raptive will collect and use certain data for advertising purposes. To learn more about Raptive’s data usage, click here: raptive.com/creator-advertising-privacy-statement
Users who are signed in to Slickstream’s reader features may receive recommendations and advertising informed by their history of using the service. You can read Slickstream’s own privacy policy here: slickstream.com/privacy.
6 Artificial intelligence (AI)
We use AI tools from Anthropic (Claude) to assist with the administration of the newsletter and membership. The tools may then process limited personal data – such as email address and subscriber or member status – for example to answer enquiries, maintain member lists or compile segments for mailings. This processing is based on our legitimate interest in the efficient administration of these services. The data is not used to train AI models.
7 Your rights
You have the right to access the data we hold about you, and to have it rectified or erased. You also have the right to restriction of processing, data portability and to object to processing – including direct marketing. Consent may be withdrawn at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before the withdrawal.
Please direct any requests to vidar@vidarbergum.com. We will respond within one month at the latest.
If you believe our processing is in breach of data protection law, you can lodge a complaint with the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, Datatilsynet (datatilsynet.no), or with your local supervisory authority within the EEA.
