Effective date: October 23, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains what information CharlesHartmann.com (the “site”) collects, how it is used, and the choices you have. The site is run by Charles Hartmann (“I”, “me”). In short: I don’t sell your personal information, and you can decline non-essential cookies at any time.
What I collect
- Contact form messages. If you use a contact form, I receive the name, email address, subject and message you type. They are delivered to me by email and used only to reply to you.
- Usage data (analytics). Google Analytics records things like the pages you view, how you got here, your approximate location (city or country level), browser and device type. I use it to see what is useful and what is broken.
- Technical data. Like any website, the server and its security/CDN provider (Cloudflare) process your IP address, browser details and request logs to deliver pages and block abuse.
- Cookies and local storage. See “Cookies” below.
Cookies
Cookies are small files your browser stores. This site uses:
- Essential: a “hh_consent” setting that remembers whether you accepted or declined cookies, plus cookies the security/CDN layer may set to keep the site working and protected.
- Analytics: Google Analytics cookies (for example “_ga”).
- Advertising: cookies set by ad networks (see “Advertising”).
When you first visit you’ll see a cookie notice with Accept and Decline. If you decline, the site tells Google’s tags not to use analytics or advertising cookies and turns Google Analytics off. Visitors in the EU/EEA, UK and Switzerland start with these cookies off until they choose Accept. You can change your choice any time with the Cookie settings link in the footer, or clear cookies in your browser.
Advertising
The site shows ads to help cover its costs:
- Google AdSense. Google and its partners may use cookies to show ads based on your visits to this and other sites. You can turn off personalized ads at Google Ads Settings. Learn how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
- A-ADS. A crypto-based ad network that shows banner ads.
- You can also opt out of many interest-based ad networks at aboutads.info and networkadvertising.org.
Affiliate links and support
- Some links on this site and on my Homelab the Right Way blog are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through an affiliate link costs you nothing extra.
- The “Buy me a Beer” button uses Buy Me a Coffee. If you choose to support me there, Buy Me a Coffee handles the payment under its own privacy policy; I don’t see your card details.
- Ebooks are sold through Payhip and merch through Printful; purchases there are covered by their own policies.
Embedded and linked content
Pages show podcast episodes (served by RedCircle), YouTube video thumbnails and links, app links to Google Play, and links to my social profiles. When you play an episode, open a video, or follow a link, that service may collect data under its own privacy policy.
How I use information
- To answer your messages.
- To understand and improve the site.
- To show ads and earn affiliate commissions as described above.
- To keep the site secure and prevent spam or abuse.
I don’t sell your personal information, and I don’t share it except with the service providers named here (who process it to run their services) or if the law requires it.
How long I keep it
Contact messages are kept in my email for as long as needed to handle your request, then deleted when no longer needed. Google Analytics data is kept for the retention period set in Google Analytics (no longer than 14 months). Server and security logs are kept for a short time for troubleshooting and security.
Your choices and rights
You can decline cookies, block or delete cookies in your browser, use the ad opt-out links above, or enable Global Privacy Control in your browser. Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR or California law) you may have the right to access, correct or delete your personal information. To make a request, use the contact form.
Children
This site is not directed to children under 13, and I don’t knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has sent me information, contact me and I’ll delete it.
Changes
If this policy changes, I’ll update it here and change the effective date above.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Reach me through the contact form.