Information we collect

You may browse the site without telling us who you are. To post or use certain features, you must register with a valid email address. We use this to manage accounts, prevent abuse, and communicate important information about your account.

External Sign-in Methods

If you choose to register, sign in, or connect your Walcott Account through Google or Facebook, the provider sends us a stable provider account identifier and, when available and authorized, your email address. We use this information to authenticate you, associate the Sign-in Method with your Walcott Account, and prevent accidental Duplicate Accounts.

We store the provider name, provider account identifier, provider-reported email address and its normalized form, and connection timestamps. We do not retain provider access or refresh tokens after authentication.

You can disconnect an external Sign-in Method from your Account page when another usable Sign-in Method remains. A completed disconnection removes the stored provider association. It does not delete your account with Google or Facebook; you can separately review or revoke Walcott access in the provider's account settings.

Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences and to understand how the site is used. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can delete existing cookies and configure most browsers to block them. Some site features may not work correctly without cookies.

For general guidance on managing cookies, visit aboutcookies.org.

This site uses cookies to:

• Recognize returning users and measure site usage
• Remember display and interaction preferences

Analytics

We use GoatCounter for privacy-friendly analytics (no cookies, no personal data collection). This helps us understand how visitors use the site without tracking individuals.

Advertising and partners

We use Ezoic for advertising. Ezoic may use cookies and other tracking technologies as described in their privacy policy. The information used for these purposes is generally not personally identifiable unless you provide it directly to the partner.

To learn more about choices related to interest‑based advertising, visit the Network Advertising Initiative or the Digital Advertising Alliance. Opting out does not remove ads, but it should reduce personalization by participating networks.

How we share information

We do not sell or rent personal information. We may share information as follows:

• Service providers. Trusted providers (e.g., GoatCounter for analytics, Ezoic for advertising) help us operate the site.
• Legal requirements. We may disclose information when required by law or valid legal process.
• Aggregated insights. We may share non‑personal or aggregated data for reporting or improvement.
• Business changes. If we undergo a merger, acquisition, or asset transfer, information may be part of the transaction.

Retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy and to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods vary based on the data type and context.

We retain an external provider association while it remains connected to your Walcott Account. When you disconnect it, we delete that association and release its provider-reported email unless the email remains in use as a confirmed Account Email or by another connected Sign-in Method.

International transfers

We may process information in countries other than your own. Where required, we take appropriate safeguards to protect your information when it is transferred internationally.

Children

This site is not directed to children under 13. If you believe we have collected personal information from a child, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights over your personal information, such as access, correction, deletion, portability, restriction, objection, and the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent. We will honor requests as required by applicable law.

Account and external sign-in data

You can manage connected Sign-in Methods from your Account page. To request deletion of your Walcott Account and associated personal data, or to ask what information must be retained, use the contact page. We may retain Forum content and limited records where necessary to preserve community discussions, protect the service, resolve disputes, or meet legal obligations.

EEA/UK (GDPR)

• Right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection
• Right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Our typical legal bases include: performance of a contract (your account), legitimate interests (site security and improvement), consent (cookies/marketing, where required), and legal obligation
• You may lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. See the list at the EDPB.

California (CPRA)

• Right to know, delete, correct, and limit the use/disclosure of sensitive personal information
• Right to opt out of sale or sharing of personal information for cross‑context behavioral advertising
• We do not sell personal information. To exercise CPRA rights, please use the contact page.

Brazil (LGPD)

• Rights include confirmation of processing, access, correction, anonymization, portability, deletion, and information about sharing
• You may contact us to exercise these rights via the contact page.

Contact

If you have questions or wish to exercise a right, please contact us.

Ezoic Privacy Disclosures