Overview
This privacy policy explains how Colin Mackay (colinmackay.net and blog.colinmackay.net) handles information when you visit the site. The site is designed to collect minimal data while providing useful technical content.
This policy applies to all pages on colinmackay.net and blog.colinmackay.net.
Information Collection
Server Logs
Like most websites, the server records basic information about each request, including:
- IP address (which may be truncated or anonymised)
- Date and time of access
- Pages requested
- Browser type and operating system
- Referring page (if applicable)
This information is used for security monitoring, troubleshooting technical issues, and understanding general usage patterns. Server logs are retained for a limited period and are not combined with other data sources to identify individuals.
Contact Form Submissions
If you use the contact form or email to get in touch, the information you provide (email address, name if given, and message content) is stored for the purpose of responding to your enquiry. Contact information is not used for marketing or shared with third parties.
Contact records are retained for a reasonable period to allow for follow-up correspondence, then deleted.
Cookies
This site uses minimal cookies:
- Essential cookies – May be used for basic site functionality such as remembering preferences
- No tracking cookies – The site does not use advertising or analytics tracking cookies
You can configure your browser to refuse cookies, though this may affect some site features.
Third-Party Services
The site uses Cloudflare for content delivery and security. Cloudflare may set cookies for security purposes (such as preventing automated abuse). Cloudflare's privacy policy governs their handling of data.
No third-party analytics, advertising, or social media tracking services are used on this site.
Data Security
The site uses HTTPS encryption for all connections. Reasonable technical measures are in place to protect any data stored on the server.
No system can guarantee absolute security. If you have concerns about providing information, please consider what level of detail is necessary for your enquiry.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal data, including:
- Access – Requesting information about what data is held about you
- Correction – Asking for inaccurate data to be corrected
- Deletion – Requesting that your data be deleted
- Objection – Objecting to certain uses of your data
To exercise these rights or ask questions about data handling, contact privacy@colinmackay.net.
Children's Privacy
This site is not directed at children under 13 years of age. No information is knowingly collected from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal information through the contact form, please get in touch so it can be removed.
Changes to This Policy
This privacy policy may be updated periodically. Significant changes will be noted on the site updates page. The "last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was most recently revised.
Contact
For privacy-related questions or concerns, contact:
Email: privacy@colinmackay.net
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this site use Google Analytics?
No. The site does not use Google Analytics or similar third-party analytics services.
Will my email address be shared if I contact you?
No. Contact information is used only for responding to enquiries and is not shared with third parties or used for marketing.
How can I request deletion of my data?
Send an email to privacy@colinmackay.net specifying what data you'd like deleted. For contact form submissions, include enough information to identify the relevant correspondence.
Is my IP address stored?
IP addresses may be recorded in server logs for security purposes. These logs are retained for a limited period and are not used to identify individuals.