This website collects data related to visitor activity. I collect this data so that I can have an idea of how people discover and share my content, and so that I can make evidenced-based decisions about the design of this site. I also value privacy, and I want to model an analytics implementation that both collects and respects user data. With this in mind, I’ve taken a number of steps to protect any data related to visitor activity. I have Matomo Analytics installed as a WordPress plug-in, and I’ve activated every available privacy-protection feature. More detail below, including an opt-out mechanism.
Opt-out of analytics tracking
An opt-out dialogue will appear in the box below, if your browser has cookies enabled.
Anonymizing Visitors’ IP Addresses
This website anonymizes the last 2 bytes of visitors IP addresses to comply with your local privacy laws/guidelines. This results in reduced data accuracy, but better privacy protection.
Replacing User ID with Pseudonyms
User IDs in the analytics software are replaced by a pseudonym to avoid directly storing and displaying personally identifiable information such as an email address. In technical terms: given your User ID, Matomo processes the User ID pseudonym using a salted hash function.
Note: replacing an ID with a pseudonym (pseudonymization) is not the same as anonymization. In GDPR terms, the User ID pseudonym still counts as personal data. The original User ID could still be identified if certain additional information is available (which only Matomo and WordPress has access to).
Anonymizing Order ID
Because an Order ID can be cross-referenced with another system, typically an ecommerce shop, the Order ID may count as personal information under the GDPR. Order IDs are automatically anonymized so no personal information is tracked.
Retaining and Deleting Data
Raw analytics data is deleted after 365 days. The raw analytics data contains all available details about visitor activity.
Opting out
Matomo is dedicated to providing privacy on the Internet, and opt-out is an important factor for ethical analytics. You have the choice of opting out of Matomo Analytics, using the selection available in the box at the top of this page.
Supporting DoNotTrack Preferences
Do Not Track is a technology and policy proposal that enables users to opt out of tracking by websites they visit, including analytics services, advertising networks, and social platforms. This site respects your preference and will not track you if you have specified “I do not want to be tracked” in your web browsers. For more information about DoNotTrack, visit donottrack.us.
Contacting the site owner
For more information about web analytics, data tracking, and privacy—or to share any thoughts, ideas, concerns, or questions—leave a comment below, or contact me, Scott W. H. Young [email].