Privacy Policy

Okay Guys, I know this bit is something that most people won’t read, let alone understand. Heck, I have had trouble with it and needed to get lots of help to make sure I got all this just right. Considering I am only a tiny little blogger with no advertising or sponsorship it all seems a bit OTT but needs must!

So A Girl and Her Dog on the Road understand that you care how your information is used and shared on the internet, and it goes without saying that your privacy is important to me.

Thanks a bunch for visiting agirlandherdogontheroad.com (the “Web Site” ) and sorry in advance for the boredom you are about to be subjected to by reviewing my Privacy Policy. I need to let you know that by visiting my website, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Notice. I am sure you will realise that this Privacy Policy does not describe information collection practices on other sites, including those linked to or from the Web Site.

How the Information you Give me is Collected:
I store any information you voluntarily provided me on my website (it is not likely to be much though). I use the information that you provide for such purposes as responding to your requests, providing services and communicating with you. In general the only time you are likely to hear from me though is if you gave me express permission to add you to my newsletter mailing list. And then that will only be if I ever get organised enough to send a newsletter in the first place!

Automatic Information:
Just like pretty much every other website out there I receive and store certain types of information whenever you interact with me. It is not deliberate, I promise, it is just the standard across the board. Like most websites (or any website worth anything really), I use “cookies,” . I hardly knew what these were myself at first, to be honest, but apparently these are technologies to keep track of the web searches you make while visiting this website, as well as your web surfing behavior on this website and other websites you may visit to enhance your online experience and to learn about how you use The Web Site in order to improve the quality of my services or serve appropriate advertising and I obtain certain types of information when your web browser accesses the site. Basically, this lets me know if people actually take the time to read anything else on my website or if they take one look and think, “No I am off!”. So, for example, the website collects the Internet Protocol (IP) address (“what the heck is this?”, I hear you say) used to connect your computer to the Internet; computer and connection information such as browser type and version, operating system, and platform; the full Uniform Resource Locators (URL) clickstream to, through, and from our website, including date and time (urgh, right?). Gathering up these IP addresses is supposed to help me work out if there are any trends in terms of demographics and all that palaver.

Don’t worry though, non of your personal information is being gathered up by these cookie things. If you did provide information that was personally identifiable then the cookies may be linked to this information. Got it? Phew! I need to tell you that aggregate cookie and tracking info could be shared with third parties. At the moment that is highly unlikely though as I don’t do third-party advertising just now (I am not that big really). If I do get round to this at some stage though then these companies would also possibly use this information (but obviously not your really personal details that would be a security risk. They would never use your name, address, email address, or telephone number. It is only information pertaining to your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.

Cookies (and no I don’t mean the chocolate chip variety): I may log information using cookies. If you are like me and only knew about the tasty biscuit variety well now you know that this is the name that is also used for describing small data files stored on your browser by the Website. I may use both session cookies, which expire when you close your browser, and persistent cookies, which stay on your browser until deleted, to provide you with a more personalized experience on the Website. Wow, technology is impressive huh? Who knew it could do that right?

How Your Information May Be Used:

I may use the information collected in the following ways (but there is a very good chance I won’t to be honest):

  • To operate and maintain the Website;
  • To send you promotional information, such as newsletters. Each email promotion will provide information on how to opt-out of future mailings;
  • To send you administrative communications, such as administrative emails, technical notices, updates on policies, or security alerts ( I can’t see this needing to happen though and again it would only be if you said I can get in touch for this reason);
  • To respond to your comments or inquiries (I don’t want to be a douche and just ignore you);
  • To provide you with user support (unlikely you will need that on a website like mine but, hey, you never know and I like to think of myself as a helpful kinda gal;
  • To track and measure advertising on the Website (not at the moment though as I am too small fry to be linked to any advertising schemes just now);
  • To protect, investigate, and deter against unauthorized or illegal activity (really hope there is no need for this one).

Third-Party Use of Personal Information

I am so small fry that this is really not all that relevant but I might share your information with third parties but, as you have probably guessed by now, only when you explicitly authorize me to share your information.

Additionally, the Website may use third-party service providers to service various aspects of the Website. Each third-party service provider’s use of your personal information is dictated by their respective privacy policies.

The Website currently uses the following third-party service providers:

Google Analytics ““ this service tracks Website usage and provides information such as referring websites and user actions on the Website. Google Analytics may capture your IP address, but no other personal information is captured by Google Analytics.

Mailchimp ““ this service is used for delivery of email updates and newsletters. I will only store your name and email address for purposes of delivering such communications and only if you actually want to receive the newsletter and explicitly sign up for the service (again you can unsubscribe any time and your information would be deleted).  Here is Mailchimps own Privacy Policy if you want to be bored to tears a second time (oh and well done if you have even got this far).

At this time, your personal information is not shared with any other third-party applications. This list may be amended from time to time in the Website’s sole discretion.

Except when required by law, we will not sell, distribute, or reveal your email addresses or other personal information without your consent; however, we may disclose or transfer personal information collected through the Website to third parties who acquire all or a portion of our business, which may be the result of a merger, consolidation, or purchase of all or a portion of our assets, or in connection with any bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding brought by or against us.

Google Analytics Demographics & Interest Reporting
I also have to tell you that I receive and use data from Google’s interest-based advertising and 3rd-party audience data (such as age, gender and interests) with Google Analytics for marketing, advertising, and to improve your online experience. Whether I actually ever get the time and inclination to do this though is debatable!

Distribution of Information:
I am also supposed to tell you that I may use personal information to provide the services you’ve requested, including services that display customized content and advertising.

I might share information but only as described below. Otherwise, I will never share your personal information without your consent.

I might have to share information with third parties when complying with legal process, preventing fraud or imminent harm, and ensuring the security of our network and services. So no naughty business okay!

I might partner with other parties to provide specific services. If a user signs up for these services, I will share names or other contact information that is necessary for the third party to provide these services (seems obvious right?). I might also share aggregated non-personal information with third -parties outside of The Web Site (can’t think why or how right now though).

Newsletter

If you decide you want to read more of my posts (woohoo) you might decide to subscribe to my newsletter (thanks so much), and this may be used for advertising purposes (but more likely just to tell you what I have been up to recently). All newsletters sent may contain tracking pixels. The pixel is embedded in emails and allows an analysis of the success of online marketing campaigns. Because of these tracking pixels, I may see if and when you open an email and which links within the email you click (can you believe how advanced the technology is). Also, this allows the Website to adapt the content of future newsletters to the interests of the user (if I was ever savvy enough to do that). This behaviour will not be passed on to third parties.

RIGHTS RELATED TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Opt-out ““ If you get sick of hearing from me, don’t worry youcan totally opt-out of future email communications by following the unsubscribe links which will be in any email you get from me (boo hoo). Or you can email to tell me, I promise I won’t hold it against you at hello@agirlandherdogontheroad.com to be removed from the mailing list.

Access ““ Uf you want to know what personal information I am holding about you (honestly it won’t be much) them you can submit a request by sending me an email at hello@agirlandherdogontheroad.com

Amend ““ If you are feeling keen and want to get in touch to ask me to update your details you can email me at, you guessed it hello@agirlandherdogontheroad.com

Forget ““ In certain situations, you may request that we erase or forget your personal data. Again, send an email to hello@agirlandherdogontheroad.com

You should know that we might have to keep certain information for record keeping purposes or to complete transactions or for legal reasons.

Congratulations you have made it to the end of the most boring section on any website. That section that none of us really understands all that much but it has to be done. Thanks for sticking with me.