Update: Sept. 24, 2021.
We all know the internet can be a scary place, but as an author and business owner, I want you to feel comfortable when you visit my site. This privacy notice (required by law, by the way) is one way of doing that.
Please take a moment to read it. It explains what information my site, https://www.elizabethharmonauthor.com , collects from you and how it’s used. The notice applies only to the information this site collects, not the other sites I link to, such as Amazon, Goodreads, etc.
Specifically I’ll explain:
1. What information the website collects from you, how it is used and with whom it may be shared.
2. What choices you have regarding how your data is used.
3. What security measures are in place to keep your data out of hackers’ hands.
4. How you can correct any information that’s not accurate.
5. My use of Cookies, Links, Anti-Spam and Giveaways, and how it affects your privacy.
What information? How’s it used? Who else gets to see it?
I’m the sole owner of the information collected on this site. I only have access to information that you consent to provide, such as your first and last name, and email address, or if you win one of my giveaways, your mailing address/zip code, so I can ship your prize. My anti-spam software, which blocks scammers from infiltrating my blog’s comment thread, will collect your IP address. I do not sell or rent this information to anyone else. In others words, what happens here, stays here.
I will use your information to respond periodically about new releases, giveaways, promotions, (and yes, even changes to this exciting policy!) but will not abuse the privilege. If I am running a Facebook ad, Facebook will access the information of those who click on the ad and share it with me. If you prefer not to receive future communications from me, simply say so and I’ll remove you from my database.
Your Access to and Control over Information
As I said, you can opt out of any future contacts whenever you like. Just reach out to me through the form on the Contact page. You can also:
• See what data (if any) I have about you.
• Change or correct that data.
• Have me delete that data.
• Express any concerns about how your data is used.
Security
When you submit private information via the website, your information is encrypted and transmitted to me in a secure way. How do you know? The little lock icon in the address bar and “https” (the “s” stands for secure) at the beginning of my webpage address shows that this site has a layer of security called SSL. While not required (yet) it’s something that Google recommends site owners install. I also use advanced security software that continually scans my site for hackers and malicious links. If you feel that I’m not abiding by this privacy policy, please contact me.
Cookies and Google Tracking Software
Even typing the word makes me hungry, and if a tasty snack sounds good right now, by all means grab one before reading on! By cookies, I mean a little piece of data that’s stored on your hard drive that tells my site if you’ve visited before. It makes commenting on a blog post or entering a giveaway easier for returning guests. Google Tracking software shows what content is most interesting to my visitors, but is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information. Think of it as a footprint in the sand, rather than a photo ID.
Links
This website contains links to other sites. Please be aware that I’m not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those other sites. I encourage you to read their privacy statements, just as you’re reading mine.
Anti-Spam
You’ve probably seen those annoying comments in threads about how some schmo earns over $5,000 a week working online from home. While you’re smart enough not to fall for that scam, even legit-looking links can contain data-sucking malware. That’s why I use anti-spam software that collects visitors’ IP addresses to prevent scammers from getting in.
Giveaways and Surveys
I love doing giveaways, and will request your name and email address when you enter, and your mailing address/zip code if you win. Contest participation is completely voluntary. If I choose to run a poll, survey or another type of game, I would also request your first and last name, and email to take part, and a mailing address/zip code from the winner. Survey or poll information would be used to monitor and improve my site, or other aspects of my writing business, not to sell or rent to other parties. I know I mentioned that before, but it bears repeating.
So bottom line, what happens here stays here. Have fun, feel safe, and if you don’t, please let me know. I’ll do my best to make it right.
Thanks for reading!
Elizabeth
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