Privacy
This is a personal site. No ads, nothing sold, nothing shared for marketing. Here is exactly what it keeps, and why.
Last updated October 16, 2026.
Counting visits (Google Analytics)
I use Google Analytics to see which pages people read, how long they stay, how they found the site (a search, a link on social media, an email) and roughly where from, plus the kind of device. It sets its own cookies (named _ga) to tell a returning visitor from a new one.
- Google Analytics does not log or store IP addresses.
- Google signals and ad personalization are switched off, so none of this is used for advertising.
- The data is kept for 14 months, then Google deletes it.
To opt out, use Google's opt-out browser add-on, or any ad or tracker blocker. The site works exactly the same either way.
Join My Internet (email)
If you sign up, I keep your email address, your name if you gave one, what you chose to receive, and when you signed up and confirmed. Nothing is sent until you click the confirmation link.
- It is used only to send you what you asked for.
- Emails go out from this site's own server, not a mailing-list company.
- Links in emails pass through streamlinegt.com first, so I can count which ones get clicked.
- Every email has links to change what you get or unsubscribe from everything, instantly.
- Your address is never sold, rented or shared.
Say hello, the Guestbook and captions
Say hello: the note is saved and emailed to me with your name, email and IP address (to help spot spam). I only use it to reply.
Guestbook and Photo of the Week captions: your name, message and optional website are saved. Nothing appears publicly until I approve it.
These forms use Google reCAPTCHA (the "I'm not a robot" box) to keep bots out. Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply to it.
Reactions and polls
So you can react or vote once (and change your mind), the site sets a cookie called sgt_v holding a random ID. Only a scrambled version of that ID is stored. It is not linked to your name, email or anything else.
Spam protection
To stop floods of sign-ups and messages, the site counts attempts using a scrambled version of your IP address. The scrambling key changes every month, and the address itself is not stored.
Videos
Videos play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced mode (youtube-nocookie.com). Nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. After that, YouTube's own privacy policy applies.
Cookies, in one list
- A session cookie: keeps forms working and secure. It disappears when you close the browser.
sgt_v: the random ID for reactions and votes. It lasts a year._gaand_ga_…: Google Analytics, as above.- reCAPTCHA (Google): only when you use one of the forms.
Your choices
Want something you sent removed or corrected, or want to know what is stored about you? Say hello and I will take care of it.
This site is not aimed at children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect their information.
Changes
If any of this changes, this page changes with it, and the date at the top moves.