The Freedom of Obscurity

Darick Allan's blogspace

Privacy Policy Notice by Darick Allan

🛡️ Privacy Policy Notice

Effective Date: November 25, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how The Freedom of Obscurity, Darick Allan’s blogspace (“the Site,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and discloses your personal information when you visit, read, or subscribe to our serialized book content via https://darickallan.com/.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information primarily to run our website, provide content, and manage your subscription. The information we collect falls into two main categories:

A. Information You Directly Provide

This is the information you knowingly and voluntarily give us:

  • Subscription Data: When you sign up for our weekly chapter alerts (via MailPoet or a similar plugin), we collect your Email Address and, occasionally, your Name.
  • Comments and Feedback: When you leave comments on a chapter post, we collect the data shown in the comments form, your IP address, and your browser user agent string to help with spam detection.

B. Information We Collect Automatically

As you navigate the Site, certain information about your device and browsing activity is collected automatically by our hosting provider (WordPress.com) and analytics tools.

  • Log Data: This includes your IP address, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, date/time stamps, and operating system.
  • Cookies: We use cookies to track and hold session information, enhance navigation, and analyze usage patterns. Cookies are necessary for many WordPress functions, including keeping you logged in if you are a registered user.
  • Analytics: We use WordPress.com’s built-in analytics and potentially plugins to understand which chapters are popular, traffic sources, and reader behavior.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

  • To Send Content (Core Service): To manage and send you our weekly email alerts about new chapter releases, as requested by you (Option 1).
  • To Improve the Site: To analyze how readers use the site (e.g., which chapters are read most) so we can optimize the layout and content flow.
  • Security and Spam Prevention: To protect the Site against malicious activity and filter spam from comments.
  • Customer Support: To respond to your questions, comments, or technical issues regarding the Site or your subscription.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We only share it in the following limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers: We share your information with third-party service providers only as necessary to perform functions on our behalf. These include:
    • WordPress.com (Automattic): Our hosting platform and provider of essential services, including security and basic site analytics.
    • Email Marketing Provider (Crowdsignal, MailPoet): These services store your email address and manage the delivery of our weekly chapter alert emails.
  • Legal Compliance: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order).

4. Third-Party Services

As a WordPress user, we utilize plugins and services that may have their own privacy practices.

  • Plugins: Any plugins installed (such as for Text-to-Speech, SEO, or security) may process data according to their developers’ policies. We only select reputable, well-maintained plugins.
  • External Links: Our chapters and pages may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites.

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Access: You have the right to request copies of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Correction: You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
  • Unsubscribe: You can opt-out of our weekly chapter alert emails at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link found at the bottom of every email we send you.
  • Deletion: You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain exceptions (such as data required for legal compliance).

6. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have received personal information from a child under the age of 13, please contact us immediately.

7. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.” We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please EMail📧 us.