Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with our website, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Comments and Feedback: When you leave comments on our site, we collect the information you enter in the comment form, including your name, email address, and website URL (if provided).
• Account Registration: If you create an account, we collect your username, email address, and any profile information you choose to provide.
• Contact Forms: Any information you submit through contact or inquiry forms on our website.

Information Collected Automatically

We automatically collect certain technical information when you visit our website:

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality, such as maintaining your login session.
• Comment Cookies: If you leave a comment, we store your name, email, and website in cookies for your convenience on future visits. These cookies last for one year.
• Login Cookies: When you log in, we set cookies to save your authentication status and display preferences. Login cookies persist for two days, while display preference cookies last for one year. Selecting “Remember Me” extends your login session to two weeks.
• Editor Cookies: If you publish or edit content, a temporary cookie stores the post ID for one day to facilitate your workflow.

Media and User-Generated Content

If you upload images or other media to our website, please be aware that:

• Uploaded files may contain embedded metadata, including location data (EXIF GPS coordinates).
• Any visitor can download and view this metadata.
• We recommend removing sensitive metadata before uploading files to protect your privacy.

Embedded Content and Third-Party Services

Our website may include embedded content from third-party platforms (such as YouTube videos, social media posts, or interactive maps). When you interact with embedded content:

• The third-party provider may collect data about your interaction.
• Third parties may use cookies and tracking technologies according to their own privacy policies.
• Your interaction may be tracked if you have an account with the third-party service.

Gravatar Integration

We use Gravatar, a service provided by Automattic, to display profile pictures alongside comments. When you comment using an email address associated with Gravatar, your profile picture becomes publicly visible. Review Gravatar’s privacy policy at https://automattic.com/privacy/ for more information.

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to:

Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data in the following circumstances:

• Spam Detection Services: Visitor comments may be processed by automated spam detection services to protect our community.
• Password Reset Requests: Your IP address will be included in password reset emails for security verification.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or government regulation.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new owner.

Data Retention

We retain your information as follows:

• Comments: Comments and associated metadata are retained indefinitely to enable automatic approval of follow-up comments and maintain discussion continuity.
• User Accounts: Personal information in user profiles is stored as long as your account remains active. You may request account deletion at any time.
• Technical Data: Server logs and usage data are typically retained for up to 90 days unless required for security or legal purposes.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. Website administrators can view and manage user information as needed to maintain the platform.

Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws, but we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a new “Last Updated” date.