This privacy policy explains what information ExplainTheWeb collects when you visit this site, how we use it, and what choices you have. It is written in plain English — not legal jargon — so you can actually understand what’s happening with your data. If you still have questions after reading, contact us directly and we’ll clarify.
What Information We Collect
ExplainTheWeb is designed to be lightweight and privacy‑respecting. We don’t require accounts, we don’t store personal information unless you voluntarily provide it, and we never sell or rent your data.
The small amount of information we do collect falls into three categories:
- Information you give us directly.
If you sign up for the newsletter, we ask for your email address. That’s it. No name, no phone number, no location. If you contact us via email, we’ll see your email address and whatever you choose to share. - Information collected automatically.
Like every website, our server logs basic technical data when you visit: your IP address, browser type, referring page, and time of visit. This information is stored temporarily and used only to diagnose technical issues and protect the site from abuse. It is never used to identify individual visitors. - Information from cookies and ads.
We partner with Adsterra to display calm, non‑intrusive advertisements. Adsterra may use cookies or similar technologies to show relevant ads and measure their performance. These cookies are set by Adsterra, not by ExplainTheWeb directly. You can learn more about how Adsterra handles data in their own privacy policy. We also use a tiny, privacy‑friendly analytics cookie (if any) to understand roughly how many people visit the site — no personal identifiers are stored.
We do not use tracking pixels, fingerprinting, or any form of cross‑site tracking. There are no social media embeds that track you. No “like” buttons. No comments section that records your behaviour. The only third‑party service that sets cookies is Adsterra.
How We Use Your Information
The information we collect is used for these purposes only:
- Newsletter delivery: If you subscribe, we store your email address in a secure list and send you one email per week — nothing more. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.
- Site improvements: Aggregated, anonymised data (e.g., “this article had 200 visitors”) helps us understand what’s helpful and what isn’t. No individual reading habits are tracked.
- Security and troubleshooting: Server logs are checked when something goes wrong — for example, to block malicious traffic. Logs are automatically deleted after a short period.
We never use your information for automated decision‑making, profiling, or marketing unrelated to the newsletter. We don’t sell, rent, or share your personal data with anyone, except where required by law.
Cookies and Advertisements
ExplainTheWeb uses Adsterra to display ads. Adsterra is a reputable ad network that serves non‑intrusive, static advertisements — no pop‑ups, no autoplay videos, no screaming banners. In order to serve these ads, Adsterra may place cookies on your device. These cookies allow advertisers to show you ads that are more relevant and to limit the number of times you see the same ad.
We do not have direct control over these cookies, but we’ve chosen Adsterra specifically because they prioritise user experience and privacy. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. If you choose to block all cookies, the site will still work perfectly — you just may see less relevant ads.
We do not use any other advertising networks, retargeting pixels, or affiliate tracking cookies. The site contains no sponsored content or paid links that compromise your privacy.
Third‑Party Services We Use
To keep the site running smoothly, we rely on a few trusted services:
- Adsterra – for displaying ads. Their privacy policy explains how they handle data.
- WordPress – the platform that powers this site. It uses basic session cookies for logged‑in users (only us, the site owner).
- Hosting provider – our server stores logs and email addresses securely. We chose a provider that complies with modern data protection standards.
We regularly review these services to ensure they remain privacy‑conscious. If we ever add a new service that affects your data, we will update this policy and make note of it clearly.
Data Retention
- Email addresses: Stored indefinitely while you remain subscribed. If you unsubscribe, your email is permanently deleted within 30 days.
- Server logs: Deleted automatically after 30 days.
- Analytics data (if any): Aggregated and anonymised; no personal identifiers retained.
Your Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights under data protection laws such as the GDPR (in Europe) or the CCPA (in California). These rights may include:
- The right to know what personal data we hold about you
- The right to request deletion of that data
- The right to opt out of the sale of personal data (we don’t sell it anyway)
- The right to access your data in a portable format
To exercise any of these rights, send us an email. We will respond within 30 days and never ask for unnecessary verification. Because we hold so little personal data, most requests are straightforward.
Children’s Privacy
ExplainTheWeb is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them. The content is written for adults and older teens who want to understand the internet. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us and we will delete it immediately.
Changes to This Policy
If we change how we handle your data, we will update this page and note the revision date at the top. If the changes are significant, we will mention them in the newsletter so you’re aware. This policy was last updated in July 2026.
Contact
ExplainTheWeb is built and maintained by a single person. You can reach out directly with any privacy questions or concerns:
We take your privacy seriously, not because we have to, but because we believe trust is the foundation of a good website. Thank you for reading this policy all the way through. That already makes you more curious than most.
