Effective Date: April 25, 2026
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This is a free newsletter run by one person. The data I collect is the minimum required to send you the email and keep the site running. I don't sell it. I don't trade it. I don't use it for anything other than what you signed up for.
Here's what's actually happening with your information.
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WHAT I COLLECT
When you subscribe, I collect:— your email address— the date you subscribed— basic engagement data (whether you opened the last email, whether you clicked anything in it)
When you visit the site, your browser sends standard analytics data via Google Analytics:— pages visited and time on each page— browser type and device type— approximate location (country, region — not your address)— referring URL
That's it. I don't collect your name unless you give it to me. I don't collect your phone number. I don't collect your address. I don't ask for any of that.
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WHAT I DO WITH IT
Your email is used to send you the Friday Selfmade newsletter, the 30-day course (if you opt in), and any direct emails from me to you about Selfmade.
The engagement data tells me which issues are landing and which aren't. It doesn't tell me anything personal.
The Google Analytics data helps me understand which articles people actually read, so I write more of what works.
I do not sell, rent, lease, or trade your information. To anyone. Ever.
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WHO ELSE TOUCHES YOUR DATA
Three third parties have access to data tied to this site:
GHOST — The site runs on Ghost (ghost.org), which hosts the email infrastructure and the membership database. Ghost stores your email and engagement data on their servers. Their privacy policy: ghost.org/privacy
GOOGLE ANALYTICS — Google receives anonymized site analytics data when you visit the site. This includes pages viewed, time on page, browser, device, and approximate location. Google does not receive your email address or any personally identifiable information through this site. Their privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy
DISCORD — If you join the Selfmade Discord community, your data on Discord is governed by Discord's own privacy policy at discord.com/privacy. I have access to your Discord username and any messages you post in the Selfmade server. I do not have access to your private Discord activity outside this server.
That's the entire third-party list. No advertising networks. No data brokers. No retargeting pixels. No tracking partners.
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COOKIES
The site uses three categories of cookies:
ESSENTIAL — A session cookie when you sign in to your member account. Required for the site to function.
ANALYTICS — Google Analytics uses cookies to count unique visitors and understand site usage. These cookies do not personally identify you.
NO OTHERS — No advertising cookies. No third-party tracking cookies. No retargeting pixels.
You can disable cookies in your browser settings. Most of the site will still work, you just won't be able to sign in to your member account, and your visits won't be counted in analytics.
To opt out of Google Analytics specifically, you can install Google's official opt-out browser extension at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
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YOUR RIGHTS
You can:— read what I have on you (email me and I'll send it)— correct any of it (email me)— delete all of it (unsubscribe from the newsletter — I delete your record on request)— unsubscribe at any time (one click at the bottom of any email)— opt out of Google Analytics tracking (link above)
If you're in the EU, UK, or California, you have specific rights under GDPR, UK-GDPR, and CCPA respectively — including the right to data portability, the right to be forgotten, and the right to opt out of any data sale (which doesn't apply here because I don't sell data).
To exercise any of these rights, email . I'll respond within 30 days.
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CHILDREN
This site is for adults. I do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.
If you're a parent and you believe your child has signed up, email me and I'll delete the record.
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DATA SECURITY
Ghost handles the heavy lifting on security — encrypted connections, secure password storage, access controls. I take reasonable steps on my end too: strong passwords, two-factor authentication, no sharing of access.
No internet system is 100% secure. I treat your data with the same care I'd want for my own, but I can't guarantee absolute security.
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DATA RETENTION
I keep subscriber data as long as you're subscribed. When you unsubscribe, your record is removed within 30 days unless you ask me to keep it.
Google Analytics retains site analytics data for 14 months by default, then deletes it automatically.
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CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
I may update this policy when something changes — a new analytics provider, a new third-party service, a new legal requirement. The current version always lives at this URL with the current effective date.
If a change is significant, I'll mention it in a newsletter issue.
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QUESTIONS
Email .