Our Privacy Policy
Welcome to our personal creator site. This policy outlines how we handle your information on our personal creator site. We are committed to transparency and protecting your privacy as a visitor to our digital home, where we share projects like the Sugar Shack Sessions video series and the book Matthew McCully and the Matter of Principle.
What Information We Collect
We collect information to operate our site and interact with our community. Our collection is minimal and focused on direct interactions or essential technical data.
Directly Provided Information
We collect information you provide directly, such as when you contact us or leave a comment. This may include your name, email address, and any message content you choose to share. This allows us to respond to your inquiries and foster conversation around our creative work.
Automatically Collected Technical Data
Like most websites, we automatically collect certain technical information when you visit. This can include your browser type, operating system, referring website, pages you viewed, and the dates/times of your visits. This data helps us understand site performance and is generally not personally identifiable on its own.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve site functionality and understand how visitors interact with our content, such as pages about the Sugar Shack Sessions or our book.
Essential Cookies
These are necessary for the basic functions of the website, such as page navigation and access to secure areas. Our website cannot function properly without these cookies.
Analytics and Preference Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors engage with our site, which informs how we improve content and layout. They may also remember display preferences for a more consistent experience.
Our Use of Analytics
To better understand our audience in Canada and their interests, we utilize analytics services to see which pages about our author and creator projects resonate most.
Purpose of Analytics
We use Google Analytics to gather aggregated data on visitor behaviour. This helps us answer questions like which book chapter discussion is most read or which video from the Sugar Shack Sessions is most popular, allowing us to create more relevant content.
Your Control Over Analytics
You can control the use of analytics cookies through your browser settings. Furthermore, Google provides a browser add-on to opt out of Google Analytics tracking. We respect your choice to browse privately.
Third-Party Services and Data Sharing
Our site operates using third-party services, and we only share data as necessary for their specific functions. We do not sell your personal information.
Service Providers
We engage trusted service providers, such as our web hosting company, to make this site available. These providers are obligated to handle your data securely and only for the purposes we specify.
Embedded Content
Pages on this site may include embedded content from platforms like YouTube (for Sugar Shack Sessions videos). Embedded content behaves as if you have visited the other website, which may collect data about you, use cookies, and have its own privacy policy.
Your Rights Regarding Your Data
You have important rights concerning your personal data. We align our practices with the principles of Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and, where applicable, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Access and Correction: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to correct any inaccuracies.
- Data Portability and Deletion: You can request a copy of your data in a structured format. You also have the right to request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions.
How Long We Retain Your Data
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, such as maintaining communication threads or complying with legal obligations.
Retention Principles
Our retention periods are based on the need to fulfill the purposes for which data was collected, legal requirements, and contractual obligations. We periodically review and securely delete data that is no longer needed.
Comment and Contact Data
If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely to recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically. Contact form submissions are kept for a reasonable period to manage correspondence and are then archived or deleted.
Contacting Us About Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. For any questions about this policy or to exercise your rights, please reach out directly.
Primary Contact Method
For all privacy-related inquiries, including access, correction, or deletion requests, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond in a timely manner.
Supervisory Authority
If you are in Canada and have a concern we cannot resolve, you have the right to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. For individuals in the European Economic Area, you may contact your local data protection supervisory authority.
As a Canadian author and creator, we value the trust of our community. This privacy policy reflects our commitment to transparency and protecting your information as we share our personal projects and stories with you.