This is the short version: we collect the minimum amount of data needed to run the site and understand what's working. We don't sell anything to anyone. We don't run a newsletter. We don't build profiles on you.

The long version follows.

1. What we collect

Age verification cookie

When you confirm you are 18 or older, we set a cookie named age-verified with a value of 1. If you check "Remember me," the cookie persists for one year; otherwise it lasts only for the browser session. This cookie contains no personal information.

Server logs

Our hosting provider (Cloudflare) automatically records standard request data: IP address, user-agent string, timestamp, referrer, and the URL requested. This is logged at the edge for security, abuse prevention, and basic traffic analysis. Cloudflare's data handling is governed by their own privacy policy.

Analytics

We use two analytics services:

  • Google Analytics 4 to understand how readers move through the site. GA4 may set cookies (typically _ga and _ga_*) and may collect IP-derived approximate location, device type, browser, and referring source. GA4's data is handled per Google's privacy policy.
  • Cloudflare Web Analytics as a cookie-free, privacy-first alternative measure. It records page views and aggregate metrics without using cookies or building cross-site profiles.

We do not load advertising trackers, social-media pixels, or third-party tag managers.

Things you send us

If you email us, we keep the email. If you submit a story or tip, we keep that submission and any contact information you include.

Things we don't collect

  • We don't run a newsletter, so we don't store email subscriber lists.
  • We don't have user accounts, so there are no passwords, profiles, or login activity to retain.
  • We don't accept payments, so we don't process or store payment information.
  • We don't ask for your name, address, phone number, or government ID.

2. How we use it

  • To serve you the pages you request.
  • To understand which articles people read, where readers come from, and which pages are broken (analytics).
  • To detect and block abuse, scraping, and attacks (server logs).
  • To reply to your email if you sent one.

We do not use any of this data to build advertising profiles, sell to third parties, or target you across other sites.

3. Third parties

The third parties that may receive data through your use of this site are:

  • Cloudflare — hosting, CDN, server logs, optional Cloudflare Web Analytics
  • Google — Google Analytics 4 (analytics only; no Google Ads, no AdSense, no DoubleClick)
  • Google Fonts — webfont delivery (Google may log your IP when fonts are fetched)

Each of these has its own privacy policy; we encourage you to read them.

4. Cookies

Cookie Set by Purpose Lifetime
age-verified this site confirms age verification session, or 1 year if "Remember me" checked
_ga, _ga_* Google Analytics distinguish unique visitors up to 2 years

You can clear cookies at any time from your browser settings. Clearing the age-verified cookie will make the age gate appear again on your next visit.

5. Your choices

  • Block analytics: install a tracker-blocking browser extension (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, etc.), or enable your browser's built-in tracking protection.
  • Use Do Not Track / GPC: we respect Global Privacy Control signals where supported; analytics scripts will be suppressed when received.
  • Use Tor or a VPN: the site works fine over Tor and over privacy VPNs.
  • Disable cookies entirely: the site is fully readable without cookies; you will just see the age gate every visit.

6. Children

This site is for adults only. It is not directed at and not intended for use by anyone under 18. We do not knowingly collect any data from minors. If you believe a minor has accessed or interacted with the site, please contact us so we can address it.

7. Data retention

  • Server logs: retained per Cloudflare's defaults (typically days to weeks)
  • Analytics data: retained per the analytics provider's defaults
  • Emails to us: retained as long as needed to respond, then archived or deleted at our discretion

8. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict processing of personal data we hold about you. Because we hold very little personal data — primarily emails you've sent us — most requests are simple. To exercise any right, contact us.

9. Security

We use HTTPS for all traffic. We rely on Cloudflare's edge security for DDoS protection and basic threat mitigation. No system is perfectly secure; you should not send us anything you wouldn't want exposed in the event of a breach.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be noted at the top of this page for at least 30 days.

11. Contact

For privacy questions or requests, see contact.