Last Updated July 3, 2020
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT ACCESS THE SITE.
I reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and for any reason.
For purposes of this policy, Personal Information refers to any identifying information I collect as a result of your use of my site. The term, “I,” refers to Michelle Lynn Grewe, human being, and for purposes of this policy, also infers all websites I operate: michellegrewe.com, michelleandcat.com, blogginglearn.com, and swankystock.com. The term “we” also means I and these websites.
Table of Contents
Who I am
I am Michelle Grewe. I operate as a sole proprietor under the business name Michelle & Cat (or Michelle and Cat) registered in the state of West Virginia. Websites that are operated by both Michelle and her business entity include the following:
Author Site at michellegrewe.com
Studio at michelleandcat.com
Blog on Blogging at blogginglearn.com
Stock Photography Membership at swankystock.com and members.swankystock.com
I also have various “shoppes” in marketplaces including Lady Boss Biz Boutique (at ladybossboutique.net), Zazzle and Cafepress (too many stores I don’t really keep up with). In addition to whatever privacy policies those sites carry, this policy pretty much sums up how I handle all private information I receive.
Summary
For the most part, I pretty much just do whatever it is people do to make my sites function. I do not sell any information to 3rd parties; however, I do utilize various types of software / apps / plugins for the function of the site, and they may collect some statistical things, which I primarily use to help improve the user experience and understand digital marketing better.
What personal data I collect and why I collect it
Derivative Data
Derivative data is basically data compiled on a generic basis from use of software / apps.
When you access my sites, it’s possible things like the following will be accessed: IP address, browser type, operating system, access times, and pages you viewed directly before accessing this site.
Analytics & Statistical Data
I utilize Google Analytics for information. Most people use this to help them understand how customers use their website and where they are coming from to see what is working out well and what probably needs improved or removed, but I pretty much just like seeing what search terms brought people to me and laugh. I don’t see any identifying information there. It really is just random lists, charts and graphs, and it’s not always that accurate. It does not show names or any identifying information. It does show some demographics like what percentage of people who visit my sites are male / female, top countries, etc. You can view Google’s Privacy Policy
Pinterest and Tailwind also often keeps analytic data and shows them to me in a similar statistical format as Google when you pin images from my post. If and when I utilize paid Pinterest promotions, I may place an “event code” on choice pages of my site to better track how my paid Pinterest promotion is working. You can view Pinterest’s Privacy Policy.
I also utilize Facebook Pixel to help me track Ads. It too is a statistical thing. Many sites use Facebook pixel because it helps them know when the FB Ad they paid for is working and worth the money, and it operates similar to the Pinterest Event Codes. But the point is many sites do use it, and FB will track individual behaviors across their wide network of Pixel data, and I think they do keep identifying information in regards to your FB profile. From my understanding, they do this to help provide the best user experience so that you don’t see ads you’re not interested in, and from my end, I do not see your specific information but I can, in the future, target advertisements to people with similar interests and demographics based on who has hit my pixel. You can view Facebook’s Privacy Policy.
At some point, I do plan on trying to harness the power of analytics better for purposes of helping people understand how to do business on the internet. This may include trying methods people talk about on their blogs / sites / courses, but also it may include some A/B testing and experimentation on my part and blogging about it. I will not display any kinds of identifying information if ever I see such things.
I may, in time, find other tracking, analytics, insights, that I may use similar to those mentioned above.
Cookies
If you leave a comment on any of my sites, you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.
I probably use other cookies too.
Cookies are files with small amounts of data which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device.
Tracking technologies also used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze our website. I mentioned some of these above in more detail under Analytics & Statistical Data.
You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of the website.
I’m also an affiliate for many places, and they use some kind of tracking stuff to let them know I referred you to them so that they can know to give me money. I have no idea what all they track, and I have no control beyond not using them. If ever I find out anyone of them is misusing private information, I will most definitely remove all links to them and put a disclaimer somewhere telling people to avoid them.
Examples of Cookies that may be used:
Essential: Some cookies are essential for you to be able to experience the full functionality of our site. They allow us to maintain user sessions and prevent any security threats. They do not collect or store any personal information. For example, these cookies allow you to log-in to your account and add products to your basket and checkout securely.
Statistics: These cookies store information like the number of visitors to the website, the number of unique visitors, which pages of the website have been visited, the source of the visit etc. These data help us understand and analyze how well the website performs and where it needs improvement.
Marketing: Our website displays advertisements. These cookies are used to personalize the advertisements that we show to you so that they are meaningful to you. These cookies also help us keep track of the efficiency of these ad campaigns.
The information stored in these cookies may also be used by the third-party ad providers to show you ads on other websites on the browser as well.
Functional: These are the cookies that help certain non-essential functionalities on our website. These functionalities include embedding content like videos or sharing contents on the website on social media platforms.
Preferences: These cookies help us store your settings and browsing preferences like language preferences so that you have a better and efficient experience on future visits to the website.
Embedded content from other websites
Articles and Pages on my sites may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Examples of this may include YouTube videos, Facebook posts, Tweets, Pinterest Pins, affiliate advertisements, and various products from places like Amazon, Creative Market, Behance, etc.
Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
Links to Other Websites
My sites often contain lots of links to other websites that I do not operate.
If you click on a third party link, you will be directed to that third party’s site. I strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. I have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services. I do try to link to reputable websites.
Third-Party Advertisers & Affiliates
I may use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit any of my sites. These companies may use information about your visits to my site and other websites that are contained in web cookies in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.
I am also an affiliate for various places hand picked by myself. They are slightly different than a third party advertising network, but I do embed tracking codes to help these companies know when I refer the sale. I often use the codes whenever I recommend them, so at some point, you may see the same companies, same codes, across all my sites.
For a list of affiliates I work with, check out my affiliate disclosure.
Comments
When visitors leave comments on my sites, all my things (hosting and wordpress and my sites) probably and possibly collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.
An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.
Media
If you upload images to any of my websites, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.
Contact forms
If you email me, your email may be kept on file in my gmail for quite some time, but it will surely get lost in a sea of emails within a month. If you would like for me to delete it upon receiving the email, please let me know in that email.
If you call me, my cell phone may retain information such as the phone number from which you called, as well as information in regards to texts. Sprint probably keeps information indefinitely on my cell phone bill, and you’ll have to contact Sprint for information about how they use your personal data. I don’t usually delete numbers or call history from my phone. Don’t call my phone if you don’t want me to know your number.
On michellegrewe.com, I have several contact methods listed, including how to “Summon my Spirit,” which I’m only being quasi-facetious about because you never know if that really works or not.
If you successfully summon my spirit, I may retain Personal Information in regards to your soul indefinitely. In addition, many possible spirits may hack and retain Personal Information including pagan gods, Satan, and “Angels of Mercy.” I do my best to delete “Forbidden Knowledge” from these beings regularly. My third party service provider, The Holy Spirit, already has all your Personal Information and is handling it with the utmost care.
I’d also be careful copying and pasting my privacy policy because of that last paragraph.
Email Subscriptions
If you sign up to receive emails, I will keep your emails for purposes of sending emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. I generally do not keep unsubscribed emails on my list longer than 6 months because I have to pay for unsubscribed emails on my list until I delete them, but there is a possibility your email is still on my list of emails even after unsubscribing even though you stop receiving emails from me.
I have been using AWeber for email services, and I am working to switch to Mailer Lite.
I have absolutely no intention of selling your email to someone else.
Interactions with Other Users
If you interact with other users of my Sites, those users may see your name, profile photo, and descriptions of your activity, including sending invitations to other users, chatting with other users, liking posts, and/or following blogs.
Online Postings
When you post comments, contributions, or other content to any of my sites, your posts may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside the Site in perpetuity.
Who I share your data with
I share your information with no one beyond the 3rd party service providers I use to maintain and operate the site, such as (not limited to) my hosting provider, my email providers, WordPress, and Google.
Keep in mind that a lot of the third party sites may share your data in their own way by their own terms.
How long I retain your data
I may hold your data indefinitely, but I tried to tell you my common practices for how long I retain data in the specific places I talk about specific data.
I think WordPress recommended this… If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
What rights you have over your data
If you have an account on this site, or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
Additional information
How I protect your data
I do take various measures to help protect any data and personal information. But sometimes shit happens. I mean some of these hackers and what not are getting more creative. So I must say…
Any information disclosed online is vulnerable to interception and misuse by unauthorized parties. Therefore, I cannot guarantee complete security if you provide personal information.
I can tell you that my hosting provider, Lyrical Host, helps me keep my site secure in many ways beyond most hosting companies. This is one reason I work with them.
I might disclose any information required by law.
If I believe the release of information about you is necessary to respond to legal process, to investigate or remedy potential violations of my policies, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of others, I may share your information as permitted or required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation.
For the most part, I have no desire to do this unless it helps protect innocent people from actual harm. I definitely will not be disclosing info required by any laws that impede on someone’s American constitutional rights, I don’t care what country you’re from, I swore an oath. I just thought I should point out which law has the most authority here.
Sale or Bankruptcy
If I reorganize or sell all or a portion of my assets, undergo a merger, or are acquired by another entity, I may transfer your information to the successor entity. If I go out of business or enter bankruptcy, your information would be an asset transferred or acquired by a third party. These transfers may occur, and the transferee may decline honor commitments I made here.
Policy for Children
I do not knowingly accept, request, or solicit information from children or knowingly market to children under the age of 16. If you become aware of any data I have collected from children under age 16, please contact me using the contact information provided below.
List of 3rd Party Service Providers I work with (include but not limited to)…
- Lyrical Host
- AWeber and MailerLite
- Typeform
- Facebook & Pinterest
Your Rights Under GDPR
- Right of Access
You can request information about your Personal Information - Right to Rectification
You can request to update your Personal Information - Right to Erasure
You can request to have your Personal Information removed - Right to Restrict
You can request to let me record your Personal Information, but not use it for any means. - Right to Object
You can object to processing personal information for personal reasons and object to direct marketing. - Right to Portability
You can request a copy of your Personal Information in electronic format and/or transmit that Personal Information for use in another service - Right not to be subject to Automated Decision-making
You have the right to not be subject to a decision based solely on automated decision making, including profiling, where the decision would have a legal effect on you or produce a similarly significant effect.
California Residents
California Civil Code Section 1798.83, also known as the “Shine The Light” law, permits our users who are California residents to request and obtain from us, once a year and free of charge, information about categories of personal information (if any) with other businesses for their own direct marketing use. If applicable, this information would include the categories of customer information as well as the names and addresses of any businesses with which customer information was shared during the prior calendar year (e.g., requests made in 2018 will receive information regarding 2017 sharing activities). If you are a California resident and would like to make such a request, please submit your request in writing to us using the contact information provided below.
If you are under 18 years of age, reside in California, and have a registered account with the Site, you have the right to request removal of unwanted data that you publicly post on the Site. To request removal of such data, please contact us using the contact information provided below, and include the email address associated with your account and a statement that you reside in California. We will make sure the data is not publicly displayed on the Site, but please be aware that the data may not be completely or comprehensively removed from our systems.
Contact Me
If you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, or would like to make requests in regards to your Personal Information, please contact Michelle Grewe, in writing, at
untouchable.cant.touch.this@gmail.com
If I don’t respond to you within 24 hours (or it’s more urgent than that), please send a text message to 740-429-0212 and let me know you had sent an email in regards to your privacy rights. Be nice in it because my kids use that phone, and if I’m out of commission, they’ll be the ones trying to help you.
I operate out of the United States.
