Privacy Policy

Summary

The bottom line is that this is a personal website. I am using stuff from all over the Internet including some Google services. I do not have the time to mine this site for personally Identifiable information (PII). However, the way things work is that if you do not have a Privacy Policy then your rank on the search engines drop. Without further ado, the following is just some “standard” verbiage.

This Website’s Official Privacy Policy

This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their “Personally Identifiable Information” (PII) is being used online. PII, as described in U.S. privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our website.

What personal information does the this site collect?

In normal operations, this site does not collect personal information other than what is necessary to measure performance. This information may include details including your Internet Protocol (IP) address and identification of links you may have clicked. This information is used only to monitor performance and know what interests readers.

When is PII collected?

Information is collected when you post a comment, send email using the contact form, or sign up for the newsletter.

How does this site use the information

Information collected for tracking and performance is stored in a private database and accessible in the aggregate using when reading reports. These reports are not published or distributed to any third party.

Information collected when posting a comment is used to prevent spam. Although it is possible to post anonymously comments your comment may be blocked by the spam filter service. Email addresses entered as part of the comment are never published or disclosed. It may be used to respond directly.

How is your information protected?

This site uses a third-party service to scan for vulnerabilities and ensure that software used behind the website is up to date. Scans and other security measures are set to my standard which is far more effective that things like the Payment Card Industry’s (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS).

This site only provides articles and information. You will never be asked for credit card, financial data, address or other PII.

This site is hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) who maintains the systems where the database of articles are located. The ISP has an active continuous monitoring program. The third-party spam monitor maintains the information about those services separately from this site.

Currently, this site does not use a certificate to encrypt communications. That may change in the near future.

Use of cookies

This site does use cookies. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the site’s or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. This site uses cookies to help me compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that I can offer better site experiences and tools in the future. This site uses trusted third-party services that track this information on my behalf.

You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Since browsers are a little different, look at your browser’s Help Menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookie settings. If you turn cookies off, some features may be disabled or not function properly.

A cookie warning message was added to the site after an inquiry by someone in Europe. There has been no change in these policies.

Third-party disclosure

I do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personally Identifiable Information.

Third-party links

Most blog posts will link to other websites for references or more information. These third-party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We, therefore, have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Google

Although this site does not use Google advertising products including AdSense but we may do so in the future. Google reCAPTCHA will be used on the contact form to make sure that whomever is sending email is really a human being. Like all Google products, its use is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy. For more information about Google’s intent please visit https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/1316548?hl=en

California Online Privacy Protection Act

CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law’s reach stretches well beyond California to require any person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting Personally Identifiable Information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. See more at: http://consumercal.org/california-online-privacy-protection-act-caloppa/

According to CalOPPA, we agree to the following:

  • Users can visit our site anonymously.
  • Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page or as a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our website.
  • Our Privacy Policy link includes the word “Privacy” and can easily be found on the page specified above.
  • You will be notified of any Privacy Policy changes: On our Privacy Policy Page
  • Can change your personal information: By emailing us

How does this site handle Do Not Track signals?

We honor Do Not Track signals and Do Not Track, plant cookies, or use advertising when a Do Not Track (DNT) browser mechanism is in place.

Does this site allow third-party behavioral tracking?

It is important to note that we allow third-party behavioral tracking for performance measuring.

COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)

When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13 years old, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, United States’ consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children’s privacy and safety online.

This site does not specifically target any content to children under the age of 13 years old. However, content is written to allow parents the option of being able to share information with their children.

Fair Information Practices

The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information.

In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices, should a data breach occur, we will notify you via email within one (1) business day. We also agree to the Individual Redress Principle which requires that individuals have the right to legally pursue enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law. This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or government agencies to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors.

CAN SPAM Act

The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them, and spells out tough penalties for violations.

We collect your email address in order to:

  • Send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions

To be in accordance with CANSPAM, we agree to the following:

  • Not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.
  • Identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way.
  • Include the physical address of our business or site headquarters.
  • Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.
  • Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.
  • Allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.

If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, you can email us at
scott@barman.ws
and we will promptly remove you from ALL correspondence.

Contacting Us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us using the information below.

Scott Barman
P.O. Box 10123
Gaithersburg, MD 20898
USA

You can alway contact me at scott@barman.ws or use the Contact Form.

Last updated on August 1, 2017.

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