Glad you’re here! Appreciate your interest in my website and books.
What’s a privacy policy? Well, it helps protect you, the visitor to our site, and it protects us.
“Privacy.” So what, big whup, meh. For some, it is a big deal, even though data collecting and analysis has been going on for awhile. Decades ago, before the web, advertising agencies presided over marketing groups, enabling them to better target their ad campaigns. Scientists and chemists tested drugs on volunteers, helping researchers prove or disprove a medicine’s efficacy. Again, all a part of data collecting and analysis.
Technology and the Internet turbo-accelerated everything. Today computers store a ton of information and rarely is it deleted. Online, your preferences are tracked on the sites you frequent. Think of how Google Maps tracks your vehicle’s location. Or consider a grocery store visit. At the checkout, each item you buy is scanned and linked to your credit card and address. Voila, a week or so later, you find coupons for the products you like in your mailbox.
But people get a little queasy at the idea of leaving data footprints. Therefore, to protect companies and their users, privacy policies emerged.
We’re safe. Look up at the site address at the top, and note the green or a gray lock symbol. That means the website’s safe. Additionally, SSL encryption protects our data and CleanTalk prevents spam.
Security Breach.
The security of your data is important to us, but remember that no transmission over the Internet, (or method of electronic storage), is 100% secure. In the unlikely event our site ever experiences a security breach, you’ll receive a notification via the email address we have on file for you . . . within 72 hours.
About “cookies.” When you visit a website, wherever you click and linger is tracked via a cookie. Cookies serve as a cyber trail, Hansel’s “coded crumbs”, if you will. You won’t see the cookies at work, but the little magical things work behind the scenes to help pinpoint your preferences. Thankfully, these cookies are Marie Osmond friendly and non-fattening. They can’t be used for nefarious purposes, either, like to sneak in a virus or worm. As a user, you can accept or decline a cookie. Decline, though, and you may not get all the benefits of this site.
Do all authors have a “privacy policy?”
Most of them do, especially the major bestsellers. Their policies might be discreetly placed, but they exist. For example, on Brenda Novak’s website, her privacy policy and cookie policy appear on the home page, two small buttons at the very bottom.
What about sites like Amazon?
Yes, certainly, they have privacy policies. Scroll to the very bottom of Amazon’s opening page. Look for the “Conditions of Use” and “Privacy Notice” links. Amazon and other sites of such magnitude and sophistication have a much more comprehensive privacy policy than I ever will.
Please know, I value my privacy
as much as you do yours.
Rest assured, my website’s not going to track you. Keanu Reeves and I won’t show up on your front porch along with those Matrix dudes in suits and sunglasses. I won’t hawk my books as a pop-up ad on your laptop, either. The very idea makes me cringe.
However, should you
enjoy my books and stories . . .
. . . and want to stay informed of when the latest release is coming, it’ll happen through my newsletter and website. This will require you completing the newsletter form on my website. Your data, (name, email) will be collected. My newsletter will describe future books, and hopefully entertain and inform as well. It’s how you and I will stay in touch, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
BLOG Comment Policy
Comments will be screened for abusive language. As long as your comment has no fire-breathing qualities, we’ll post it, even if you disagree. When you post a response, your name, email address, IP (computer address) and comments will be collected. The only information I store (in a secure storage area) is what you provide voluntarily. If you should wish your comments deleted, let me know.
Internationals Welcome.
This site is hosted in the U.S. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to the transfer of your information to the U.S. and the application of U.S. law governing the site.
This Site Not Suitable for Children Under 18.
I adore kids and had two of my own, but some of the content on the site is for adults only. If you are a parent or guardian and become aware of your child providing information to our site, please let us know ASAP.
Your Agreement . . .
Your continued use of this service constitutes your agreement to our privacy policy. If I change any part of the policy, I’ll revise the “last updated date” at the bottom.
Incoming legalese . . .
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P R I V A C Y P O L I C Y
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We operate the sidneyivens.com website (hereinafter referred to as the “Service”).
This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data when you use our Service and the choices you have associated with that data.
We use your data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. Unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy, the terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, accessible from sidneyivens.com.
Disclosure Of Data / Legal Requirements
I may disclose your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary.
– to comply with a legal obligation
– to protect and defend the rights or property of the website.
– to prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing
– to protect the personal safety of users
– to protect against legal liability
Links To Other Sites
Our Service may contain links to other sites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third party link, you will be directed to that third party’s site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. We will let you know via email and/or a prominent notice on our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the “effective date” at the top of this Privacy Policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us by email.
[effective date: October 15, 2018]
SIDNEY IVENS 