00 Scope of the policy
The address for this website is: https://www.benjamesbryan.com. This privacy policy covers this website and all sub-pages.
01 Newsletter and mailing lists
All information collected from this site is used only for the purpose of official communication directly from benjamesbryan.com. Email list data are stored via the third-party vendor Mailerlite. These data will never be sold to another party or made available for sale. The information collected, such as email addresses, is stored in order for direct communication with the subscriber. Subscribers may receive emails containing blog posts, newsletters, promotions, announcements of contest winners, updates of site policy, and special offers.
Email recipients have the option to opt out or change their preferences at any time. The opt-out opportunity is presented at the bottom of every email sent, and clicking on that link will remove that subscriber from the distribution list.
02 Contests and giveaways
Subscribing to the newsletter requires only providing one’s email address, but other opportunities, such as entering contests, may require additional information like such as one’s name. For contest winners of physical prizes, it will be necessary to collect a physical address in order to ship the prize.
03 Comments
When visitors leave comments on this site, the site collects the data shown in the comments form. The visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from commenter’s email address (called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to confirm whether it is in use. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of a comment, the commenter’s profile picture is visible to the public in the context of that comment.
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service. Comments and associated metadata are retained indefinitely so that the site can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
04 Cookies
This website may use “cookies” to enhance visitor experience. Typically, cookies may be placed on visitors’ hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. Visitors may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to send an alert when cookies are being sent. Note that refusal to accept cookies may result in some parts of the site not functioning optimally.
05 Analytics
This site may directly collect analytics data or use third-party analytics tools and services (e.g., Google Analytics) to help measure traffic and usage trends for web pages, email newsletters, promotions, and social media connections. These tools collect information sent by the visitor’s browser or mobile device, including the specific pages visited, as well as other information that may assist in improving the user’s experience. These analytics data are collected and used in aggregate form such that they cannot reasonably be manipulated to identify any particular individual user. Data on which email links are clicked most often can help tailor future emails with links that most interest readers.
06 Log file and non-personal information
This website may collect non-personal information about visitors when they interact with the site. This website is routinely monitored/scanned for viruses and malware in order to keep it secure. As part of this process, log file information may be automatically reported by site visitors’ browsers or mobile devices each time they access the site, and the server automatically records certain log file information. These logs may include anonymous information such as the site visitor’s web request, IP address, browser type, referring / exit pages and URLs, number of clicks and interaction with links, domain names, landing pages, pages viewed, and other non-identifying information.
07 Third-party sites and links, including social media
Links to third-party sites may be included on this website and in email newsletters. Following these links may lead to external sites on which this Privacy Policy does not apply. These sites have their own data and privacy policies over which this site has no control. Site visitors understand that benjamesbryan.com is not responsible for the policies or practices of other websites or services linked to or from this site, its comment pages, or its associated social media accounts, including the information or content contained therein. Visitors are responsible for reviewing these respective sites’ policies before interacting, subscribing, or purchasing from them.
Use of a third-party connection on social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.) to “follow,” “like,” or otherwise interact with content from benjamesbryan.com may result in that third party passing along certain information about the use of its service. However, benjamesbryan.com does not collect or retain any of this information. It is the responsibility of users to review, and if necessary, adjust their privacy settings on third- party websites and services before using them to link to other places.
08 Purchase of books from third-party vendors
Any purchase of books through a links on this website or associated social media pages are handled by the vendor selected (e.g., Amazon, Kobo, Nook, etc.). These sites maintain their own separate policies about information collected from their site visitors. This information is not shared with benjamesbryan.com, nor does this site have any control over or take any responsibility for the privacy policies on those respective sites. It is the responsibility of the individual visiting these vendor sites to be aware of their privacy policies.
09 Legal caveats
Information collected from site visitors will only be disclosed where required to do so by law or subpoena or if there is reasonable belief that such action is necessary to (a) comply with the law and the reasonable requests of law enforcement; (b) to protect the security, quality or integrity of the website; and/or (c) to exercise or protect the rights, property, or personal safety of this website’s users, or others.
10 Changes to policy
This policy may be changed at any time. In the event that it does change, a notice detailing said changes will be emailed to subscribers. Site visitors acknowledge and agree that it is their individual responsibility to review this Privacy Policy periodically and become aware of modifications.
11 Acceptance of terms
Visiting and interacting with this site signifies that you, the site visitor, accept this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the site. Continued use of the site signifies that you accept the policy and any periodic changes.