PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: December 28, 2025

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Automatically Collected Data

When you visit TheZodiacSolved.com, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device type (desktop/mobile/tablet)
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, referral source, entry/exit pages
• Location Data: Country and general geographic region (not precise location)
• Technical Data: IP address (anonymized), session duration, page load performance metrics

1.2 Information You Provide

When you interact with our website, you may voluntarily provide:

• Contact Form: Name, email address, subject, message content, and optional news outlet affiliation
• FAQ Queries: Questions you submit to our FAQ search feature

1.3 Email Tracking

If you receive an email from us (e.g., press outreach), we may track:

• Whether the email was opened
• Time of open
• Number of times opened

This helps us understand engagement with our outreach efforts.

2. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

Data Type	Purpose	Legal Basis
Analytics data	Understand traffic patterns, improve website performance	Legitimate interest
Contact form data	Respond to your inquiries	Consent (you submit the form)
FAQ queries	Improve FAQ content, identify common questions	Legitimate interest
Email tracking	Measure outreach effectiveness	Legitimate interest
Performance metrics	Optimize page load times (Core Web Vitals)	Legitimate interest

3. COOKIES AND TRACKING

3.1 Analytics

We use Rybbit Analytics, a privacy-focused analytics service, to understand how visitors use our website. Rybbit collects:

• Page views and session data
• Referral sources
• Device and browser information
• Geographic location (country level)
• UTM campaign parameters

Analytics data is processed through our own servers to ensure accuracy and is stored in our database.

3.2 Essential Cookies

We use minimal cookies necessary for website functionality:

• Session cookies: Maintain your browsing session
• Visitor ID: Anonymous identifier to track return visits and share/referral attribution

3.3 No Third-Party Advertising

We do not use advertising cookies, retargeting pixels, or sell data to advertisers. There are no ads on this website.

4. DATA STORAGE AND SECURITY

4.1 Where Data is Stored

Your data is stored on:

• MongoDB Atlas: Cloud database (encrypted at rest and in transit)
• Dokploy/Docker: Application hosting infrastructure

4.2 Data Retention

• Analytics data: Retained for 2 years, then aggregated/anonymized
• Contact submissions: Retained until deleted by administrator or upon request
• FAQ queries: Retained indefinitely for improving FAQ content
• Server logs: Retained for 30 days, then automatically purged

4.3 Security Measures

We implement appropriate security measures including:

• HTTPS encryption for all connections
• Database encryption at rest
• Input sanitization to prevent injection attacks
• Rate limiting on forms and API endpoints
• Regular security updates

5. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

We use the following third-party services:

Service	Purpose	Data Shared
Rybbit Analytics	Website analytics	Anonymized usage data
MongoDB Atlas	Database hosting	All stored data (encrypted)
Dropbox	Image CDN	None (static file hosting only)
SendGrid	Email delivery	Email addresses for outreach

6. YOUR RIGHTS

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interest
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at me@thedecipherist.com.

7. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

This website contains content about historical crimes and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected such information, please contact us immediately.

8. INTERNATIONAL USERS

This website is operated from the United States. If you access this website from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using this website, you consent to such transfer.

8.1 European Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area:

• We process data based on legitimate interest for analytics and consent for contact forms
• You have the rights listed in Section 6
• You may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

8.2 California Users (CCPA)

If you are a California resident:

• We do not sell your personal information
• You have the right to know what data we collect
• You have the right to request deletion
• We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights

9. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

10. CONTACT US

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights:

Tim Carter Clausen
TheZodiacSolved.com
Email: me@thedecipherist.com