Privacy Policy

Who we are

MakeMyHomeMyFortress.com ("the site," "we," "us," "our") is owned and operated by Randy Plaice as a sole proprietorship based in the United States. This policy explains what information we collect when you visit the site, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Privacy questions, access requests, or deletion requests: privacy@makemyhomemyfortress.com.

Information we collect

We collect only the information needed to run the site, send the newsletter (if you ask for it), respond to messages, and credit affiliate purchases.

• Site analytics. Google Analytics 4 records aggregate, pseudonymized information about page views, referrers, approximate location (city-level), device type, and on-site behavior. IP addresses are anonymized by Google before storage. We do not attempt to identify individual visitors from analytics data.
• Newsletter signups. If you submit your email address through a newsletter form, that address is sent to Beehiiv, our email service provider, and used to deliver the newsletter and any opt-in welcome sequence. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
• Contact form submissions. If you submit a contact form, your message (and any email address or name you include) is processed by Netlify Forms, our hosting provider, and forwarded to us. We use the message only to respond to you.
• Affiliate-link attribution. When you click an affiliate link on the site, the destination retailer or affiliate network sets cookies to credit any resulting purchase to us. We do not see your purchase details — we receive only aggregate commission reports.
• Server logs. Our hosting provider (Netlify) and, where used, our DNS / CDN provider (Cloudflare) record standard request data including IP address, user agent, and timestamp. These logs are used for security, abuse prevention, and operational troubleshooting.

How we use information

• To operate the site and keep it secure.
• To send the newsletter to people who opted in.
• To respond to messages and questions you send us.
• To understand which articles are useful to readers, in aggregate.
• To receive commission credit when a reader purchases through an affiliate link.

What we do not do

• We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
• We do not run third-party ad networks or display banner ads.
• We do not use cross-site tracking pixels or behavioral-advertising trackers beyond the standard cookies set by affiliate retailers when you click an affiliate link.
• We do not buy email lists or send unsolicited mail.

Third-party services

The following service providers process limited data on our behalf. Each has its own privacy policy, which we encourage you to read.

• Netlify — site hosting and contact form submissions (Netlify privacy policy).
• Cloudflare — where used as DNS proxy / CDN for performance and DDoS protection (Cloudflare privacy policy).
• Google Analytics 4 — aggregate site analytics (Google privacy policy).
• Beehiiv — newsletter delivery (Beehiiv privacy policy).
• Affiliate networks and retailers — including Amazon Associates, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Wyze, Eufy, and networks such as Impact, ShareASale, Awin, and FlexOffers. When you click an affiliate link, you are leaving our site, and the destination's privacy policy governs that visit.

Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small data files stored by your browser. We use a limited set:

• Strictly necessary cookies — used for basic site functionality and security. These cannot be disabled without breaking the site.
• Analytics cookies — set by Google Analytics 4 to measure aggregate traffic. Where required by law, these load only after you consent via the cookie banner.
• Affiliate-attribution cookies — set by retailers and networks (Amazon, Home Depot, Impact, ShareASale, etc.) when you click an affiliate link, so they can credit a qualifying purchase to us. These are set by the destination site, not by us.

You can clear or block cookies in your browser settings. Doing so will not prevent you from reading the site, but it may break analytics consent and affiliate attribution.

Your rights

California residents (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to (a) know what personal information we have collected about you, (b) request deletion of that information, (c) request correction of inaccurate information, and (d) opt out of any "sale" or "sharing" of your personal information. We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. To exercise any of these rights, email privacy@makemyhomemyfortress.com. We will not discriminate against you for exercising a right.

EU / UK residents (GDPR / UK GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or port any personal data we hold about you, and to object to its processing. The legal bases on which we process personal data are: your consent (newsletter signup, optional analytics cookies); the performance of a contract or pre-contract steps you requested (responding to your contact form); and our legitimate interests in running and securing the site (server logs, fraud prevention). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. To exercise these rights, email privacy@makemyhomemyfortress.com.

Everyone else

Wherever you live, you can ask us what information we hold about you, ask for it to be corrected or deleted, or unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time using the link in every email or by emailing us.

How long we keep information

• Newsletter subscribers: until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete your record.
• Contact form submissions: typically up to 24 months after the conversation ends, then deleted unless we need to keep them for a specific reason.
• Analytics data: retained at default GA4 retention (currently 14 months).
• Server logs: retained at our hosting providers' default rolling windows.

Children

This site is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, email us and we will delete it promptly. This site complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Security

We host the site on Netlify, use HTTPS everywhere, and limit access to any administrative tooling to the site owner. No system on the public internet is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee that information will never be intercepted or accessed inappropriately.

International data transfers

We are based in the United States, and our service providers (Netlify, Cloudflare, Google, Beehiiv) operate globally. If you visit from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or elsewhere. By using the site you understand that this transfer may occur.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Effective date" at the top will reflect the most recent revision. Material changes will be announced on the site for at least 14 days, and where we have your email address (e.g., newsletter subscribers), we will notify you by email before any change that meaningfully reduces your rights takes effect.

Contact

Privacy questions, access requests, deletion requests, or anything else covered by this policy: privacy@makemyhomemyfortress.com.

For non-privacy correspondence (corrections, story tips, partnerships), see the contact page.