This site is not intended to collect personal, private, or identifying information… but it does so as part of its normal operation. Like essentially all modern websites, it features several technologies used to track the actions of users for a variety of purposes. Some of this is merely support for usability functions, some of it is performed in conjunction with efforts to fund the site via advertising, and some of it supports communication via newsletters and social networks. All of these can be avoided via browser security settings, anonymous browsing, opting out of receiving communication, or simply not using the site… but I’m asking you to trust that you don’t need to. As a personal blog, GabrielCooper.com is a key part of my own identity and I would never use it to subvert or intrude on yours. This is part of why I utilize registration and login control through established identity networks and why I invest considerable effort in site security. In order to make this clear, I’m offering this Privacy Policy.
Begin Legal Stuff…
This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which GabrielCooper.com collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a “User”) of the http://www.gabrielcooper.com website (“Site”). This privacy policy applies to the Site and information offered by GabrielCooper.com.
Personal identification information
GabrielCooper.com may collect personally identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, subscribe to the newsletter, respond to a survey, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources I make available on the Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address. Users may, however, visit the Site anonymously. I will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to me. Users can always refuse to supply personally identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities. Third party identification networks used for registration and validation services may share information with GabrielCooper.com and you are sharing information with them as per their privacy policy. However, I do not share additional information with these networks. This includes Google, Microsoft Live, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Yahoo!.
Non-personal identification information
GabrielCooper.com may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with the Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.
Web browser cookies
The Site may use “cookies” to enhance User experience. User’s web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.
How we use collected information
GabrielCooper.com collects and uses Users personal information for the following purposes:
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To personalize user experience
I may use information in the aggregate to understand how Users as a group use the services and resources provided on the Site.
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To improve my Site
I regularly strive to improve my website offerings based on the information and feedback I receive from you.
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To administer a contest, promotion, survey or other Site feature
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To send Users information they agreed to receive about topics we think will be of interest to them.
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To send periodic emails
The email address Users provide will only be used to respond to their inquiries, and/or other requests or questions. If User decides to opt-in to the mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, I include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email or User may contact me via the Site.
How we protect your information
I’ve implemented adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on my Site. At least, I think I have… nothing is perfect. The use of external identity networks is a key part of my plan to prevent unauthorized release of your data, since they have a much larger security budget than I do. While the site itself does not use secure data transmission, registration or validation through your chosen identity network does. I don’t even have your password to GabrielCooper.com, let alone access to any of the personal information you’ve stored through the identity network.
Sharing your personal information
I do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others. I may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with my business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above. This is mostly because I use this site to experiment with new techniques for website development or information delivery.
Third party websites
Users will find advertising or other content on the Site that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors, things I think are cool, and other third parties. I do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and am not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from my Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website’s own terms and policies.
Google Adsense
I will periodically place ads on GabrielCooper.com. As a rule, these will comply with the letter and spirit of this Privacy Policy. Some of the ads may be served by Google, who asks that I disclose specific details about their technology.
Google’s use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to Users based on their visit to my Site and other sites on the Internet. DART uses “non personally identifiable information” and does NOT track personal information about you, such as your name, email address, physical address, etc. It’s a pretty cool technology that makes Google ads considerably more relevant to your interests, but it means that looking at crazy stuff on crazy websites will make it more likely that you will get ads about crazy stuff on regular websites. You may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html.
Changes to this privacy policy
I have the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When I do, I’ll post a notification on the main page of the Site and revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. I encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how I’m helping to protect the personal information the Site collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.
Your acceptance of these terms
By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use GabrielCooper.com. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.
Contacting us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact me at: webcontact@gabrielcooper.com
This document was last updated on November 22, 2010
I obtained most of this Privacy Policy from the free service at http://www.generateprivacypolicy.com.
