Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 15, 2025
Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Introduction

Welcome to MysteryRepeating.com (“we,” “our,” or “us”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit our website, how we use it, who we share it with, and the rights you have regarding your data. By using MysteryRepeating.com, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at privacy@mysteryrepeating.com.


1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

  • Email Address: When you subscribe to our newsletter or create an account
  • Name: When you submit a life lesson, comment on posts, or contact us
  • User-Generated Content: Life lessons, comments, or stories you submit
  • Contact Information: Any information you provide when reaching out to us
  • Correspondence: Messages sent through our contact forms or email

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is automatically collected:

  • Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website
  • IP Address: Your Internet Protocol address for security and analytics
  • Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
  • Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies (see Section 4)

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party services we use:

  • Google Analytics: Demographic and interest data
  • Social Media: If you interact with our content on social platforms
  • Advertising Networks: Information about your interactions with ads

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

2.1 Providing and Improving Our Services

  • Operating and maintaining the website
  • Improving user experience and website functionality
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage patterns
  • Developing new features and content
  • Responding to your inquiries and requests

2.2 Communication

  • Sending newsletters and updates (with your explicit consent)
  • Notifying you about changes to our services or policies
  • Responding to comments and submissions
  • Providing customer support

2.3 Marketing and Advertising

  • Displaying relevant advertisements through Google AdSense
  • Personalizing content and ad experiences
  • Measuring advertising effectiveness
  • Marketing our services (only with your consent)

2.4 Security and Legal Compliance

  • Preventing spam, fraud, and abuse
  • Protecting against security threats
  • Complying with legal obligations
  • Enforcing our Terms of Service
  • Resolving disputes

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data based on:

  • Consent: When you subscribe to newsletters, accept optional cookies, or submit content
  • Legitimate Interest: For analytics, site improvement, security, and fraud prevention
  • Contractual Necessity: To provide services you request (e.g., publishing your submitted life lessons)
  • Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal.


4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

4.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide better functionality and understand how you use our site.

4.2 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (No Consent Required)

  • WordPress Session Cookies: Enable core website functionality
  • Security Cookies: Protect against spam and malicious activity
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Analytics Cookies (Requires Consent)

  • Google Analytics: Track site usage, visitor behavior, and demographics
  • Help us understand which content is most valuable
  • Enable us to improve website performance

Advertising Cookies (Requires Consent)

  • Google AdSense: Display relevant advertisements
  • Third-Party Ad Networks: May place cookies for ad targeting
  • Track ad performance and user interests

Social Media Cookies (Requires Consent)

  • Social Sharing Buttons: Enable sharing content on social platforms
  • May track your interaction with our content

4.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through:

  • Cookie Consent Banner: Manage preferences when you first visit
  • Browser Settings: Block or delete cookies in your browser
  • Cookie Settings: Access settings at any time via the footer link

Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

4.4 Third-Party Cookie Opt-Out

  • Google Ads Settings: https://adssettings.google.com
  • Google Analytics Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
  • Network Advertising Initiative: https://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/
  • Digital Advertising Alliance: https://www.aboutads.info/choices/

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect and process your data:

5.1 Hosting

Provider: Hosting.com (formerly A2 Hosting)
Data Collected: Server logs, IP addresses, technical data
Purpose: Website hosting and performance
Privacy Policy: https://www.hosting.com/privacy-policy
Location: United States

5.2 Analytics

Provider: Google Analytics
Data Collected: Usage statistics, demographics, browsing behavior
Purpose: Understanding site traffic and improving user experience
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

5.3 Advertising

Provider: Google AdSense
Data Collected: Browsing behavior, ad interactions, interests
Purpose: Displaying relevant advertisements
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads
Ad Personalization: https://adssettings.google.com

Google and its partners may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites. You can opt out of personalized advertising.

5.4 Email Marketing

Provider: MailChimp (Intuit Mailchimp)
Data Collected: Email addresses, names, engagement metrics (opens, clicks)
Purpose: Sending newsletters and updates
Privacy Policy: https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy/
Location: United States (Privacy Shield certified)

You can unsubscribe from our emails at any time using the link in every email.

5.5 Content Delivery & Security

Provider: Cloudflare (if implemented)
Data Collected: IP addresses, security logs
Purpose: Content delivery, DDoS protection, performance optimization
Privacy Policy: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/

5.6 WordPress Plugins

Various plugins may process data for functionality:

  • Contact Forms: Store form submissions
  • Comment Systems: Manage and display comments
  • Social Sharing: Enable content sharing
  • SEO Tools: Optimize content for search engines

Each plugin complies with WordPress.org privacy standards.


6. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

6.1 Service Providers

We share data with trusted service providers who assist in operating our website:

  • Hosting providers (Hosting.com)
  • Email service providers (MailChimp)
  • Analytics providers (Google Analytics)
  • Advertising networks (Google AdSense)
  • Security services (Cloudflare)

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.

6.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

  • Valid legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
  • Government or regulatory requests
  • Enforcement of our Terms of Service
  • Protection of our rights, property, or safety
  • Prevention of fraud or security threats

6.3 Business Transfers

If MysteryRepeating.com is acquired, merged, or sold, your information may be transferred to the new owner. You will be notified of any such change.

6.4 With Your Consent

We may share information with third parties when you explicitly consent or direct us to do so.

6.5 Public Content

Content you submit (life lessons, comments) may be publicly displayed on our website. Do not include sensitive personal information in public submissions.


7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:

  • Analytics Data: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
  • Email Subscribers: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
  • User-Generated Content: Indefinitely, unless deletion is requested
  • Comments: Indefinitely, unless deletion is requested
  • Server Logs: 90 days (hosting provider retention policy)
  • Contact Form Submissions: 2 years
  • Cookies: Varies by type (session to 24 months)

After retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize your data. You may request earlier deletion (see Section 8).


8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

8.1 Rights Under GDPR (European Economic Area)

If you are in the EEA, you have the right to:

Right to Access
Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

Right to Rectification
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”)
Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations.

Right to Restriction of Processing
Request limitation of how we process your data.

Right to Data Portability
Receive your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.

Right to Object
Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.

Right to Withdraw Consent
Withdraw consent at any time without affecting prior processing.

Right to Lodge a Complaint
File a complaint with your local data protection authority.

8.2 Rights Under CCPA/CPRA (California)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

Right to Know
Request information about data collected, used, disclosed, or sold in the past 12 months.

Right to Delete
Request deletion of personal information we collected from you.

Right to Opt-Out
Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data).

Right to Non-Discrimination
Not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your rights.

Right to Correct
Request correction of inaccurate personal information.

Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information
Limit use of sensitive data (if applicable).

8.3 Rights Under Other US State Laws

Similar rights exist under privacy laws in Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), and Utah (UCPA).

8.4 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at:

Email: privacy@mysteryrepeating.com
Subject Line: “Privacy Rights Request”

Include:

  • Your name and email address
  • Specific right you wish to exercise
  • Details to help us locate your data

We will respond within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA). We may request verification of your identity before processing requests.


9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

9.1 Technical Measures

  • SSL/TLS Encryption (HTTPS): All data transmitted is encrypted
  • Secure Hosting Infrastructure: Hosting.com security protocols
  • Firewall Protection: Web application firewall (WAF)
  • Regular Security Updates: WordPress core, themes, and plugins kept current
  • Malware Scanning: Automated security monitoring
  • DDoS Protection: Defense against distributed denial-of-service attacks

9.2 Organizational Measures

  • Access Controls: Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
  • Password Protection: Strong passwords and secure authentication
  • Regular Backups: Automated backups with UpdraftPlus
  • Security Audits: Periodic review of security practices
  • Employee Training: (When applicable) Staff trained on data protection

9.3 Limitations

While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.


10. International Data Transfers

MysteryRepeating.com is hosted in the United States. If you access our website from outside the US, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

10.1 Safeguards for International Transfers

We ensure adequate protection for international data transfers through:

  • EU-US Data Privacy Framework: Compliant service providers
  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs): For transfers to non-adequate countries
  • Adequacy Decisions: Relying on European Commission adequacy decisions where applicable
  • Appropriate Security Measures: Encryption and access controls

By using our website, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.


11. Children’s Privacy

MysteryRepeating.com is intended for adults aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If you are under 18, please do not:

  • Provide personal information on our website
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Submit life lessons or comments
  • Create an account

Parents and Guardians: If you believe your child has provided personal information to us, please contact us immediately at privacy@mysteryrepeating.com. We will promptly delete such information from our systems.

We comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar international regulations.


12. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals because there is no universally accepted standard for how to interpret them.

You can manage tracking through:

  • Cookie consent banner settings
  • Browser privacy settings
  • Third-party opt-out tools (see Section 4.4)

13. Your Choices and Controls

You have several options to control your data and privacy:

13.1 Email Communications

Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in every email or contact us at privacy@mysteryrepeating.com.
Note: We may still send transactional emails (e.g., responses to inquiries, account notifications).

13.2 Cookies

Manage Preferences: Use our cookie banner or access cookie settings in the footer.
Browser Settings: Configure your browser to block or delete cookies.
Third-Party Opt-Outs: Use tools like Google Ads Settings or NAI opt-out.

13.3 Account Data

Update Information: Log in to your account to update your profile.
Delete Account: Contact us to request account deletion.

13.4 Analytics

Google Analytics Opt-Out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

13.5 Personalized Advertising

Google Ads: Visit https://adssettings.google.com to opt out of personalized ads.
Other Networks: Use industry opt-out tools at https://www.aboutads.info/choices/ or https://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/.


14. California “Shine the Light” Law

California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits California residents to request information about disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes.

We do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes. If you have questions, contact privacy@mysteryrepeating.com.


15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements.

15.1 Notification of Changes

Material Changes: We will notify you by:

  • Posting a notice on our homepage
  • Sending an email to subscribers (if applicable)
  • Updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy

Minor Changes: Updated “Last Updated” date only.

15.2 Your Continued Use

Continued use of MysteryRepeating.com after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our website.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.


16. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

Email: privacy@mysteryrepeating.com
Website: https://mysteryrepeating.com/contact
Response Time: We aim to respond within 5 business days

Mailing Address:
MysteryRepeating.com
Sanne van Schie


17. Data Protection Officer

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA) or those with GDPR-related inquiries:

Data Protection Contact: privacy@mysteryrepeating.com

(Note: A formal Data Protection Officer is only required for large-scale operations or sensitive data processing. As a content website, MysteryRepeating.com is not required to appoint a DPO, but we are committed to GDPR compliance.)


18. Supervisory Authority

If you are in the EEA and believe your data protection rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority:

EU Data Protection Authorities: https://edpb.europa.eu/about-edpb/board/members_en

Common Authorities:

  • UK: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – https://ico.org.uk
  • Ireland: Data Protection Commission (DPC) – https://www.dataprotection.ie
  • Germany: Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information – https://www.bfdi.bund.de

US Residents (CCPA):

  • California Attorney General: https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company
  • Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov

19. Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring this Privacy Policy is accessible to all users. If you have difficulty accessing this policy or need it in an alternative format, please contact us at privacy@mysteryrepeating.com.


20. Language

This Privacy Policy is provided in English. If translated into other languages, the English version prevails in case of conflicts or discrepancies.


Summary

In short, we:

  • ✅ Collect minimal necessary information
  • ✅ Use data to improve your experience
  • ✅ Protect your data with industry-standard security
  • ✅ Never sell your personal information
  • ✅ Respect your privacy rights
  • ✅ Are transparent about our practices
  • ✅ Comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws
  • ✅ Give you control over your data

Thank you for trusting MysteryRepeating.com with your information.


MysteryRepeating.com
Life Lessons for Current Lives, and Lives to Come


This Privacy Policy is effective as of January 15, 2025 and was last updated on January 15, 2025.