Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 10, 2025

Welcome to BabbleBaz.com (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the choices you have.

If you have questions, contact: privacy@babblebaz.com

Who we are

Our website address is: https://babblebaz.com. The Site is a personal portfolio and project hub operated from the United States (Texas).

Data Controller: Babble Baz (Site Owner)

A quick summary (not legalese)

We collect the minimum information needed to run the site (e.g., server logs, cookies that remember your preferences, and any info you submit via forms).
If you comment, we process your comment, IP address, and browser user-agent to help block spam.
If you upload images, avoid including GPS/EXIF location data.
We may use analytics to understand what content is popular. You can opt out (see Your choices below).
You can request a copy or deletion of your personal data (with some legal exceptions).

Information we collect

We collect information in three ways: (1) you provide it, (2) it’s collected automatically, and (3) from third parties/services you use that are embedded on the Site.

1) Information you provide

Comments: When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the comments form, plus the commenter’s IP address and browser user agent string to help with spam detection. An anonymized string (hash) of your email may be sent to Gravatar to check if you use it. After approval, your profile image (if any) is visible next to your comment.
Contact / submission forms: If you use forms (e.g., contact, project submissions), we collect the fields you submit (e.g., name, email, content) and may store the submission and metadata (IP, timestamp, referrer) for anti‑spam and troubleshooting.
Account data (if accounts are enabled): Username, email, password (hashed), display name, and profile details you choose to share.

2) Information collected automatically

Cookies: See Cookies below for details on login cookies, preferences, and editor cookies.
Server logs & security: The hosting environment may log IP addresses, requested URLs, timestamps, and basic user‑agent data for security and reliability (e.g., DDoS mitigation, debugging).
Analytics (if enabled): Page views, approximate location (from IP; city/state-level), device/browser type, referring site, and on‑page events. Analytics are configured to avoid collecting directly identifying information where possible.

3) Third‑party/embedded content

Articles/pages may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, code snippets, social widgets). Embedded content behaves exactly as if you visited that third‑party site and those sites may collect data about you, use cookies, add third‑party tracking, and monitor your interaction with embedded content, including tracking if you have an account and are logged in to that service.

Comments

When you comment, we collect the information you enter, along with your IP address and browser user‑agent to help with spam detection. An anonymized hash of your email may be sent to Gravatar to check for an avatar. Gravatar’s privacy policy is available at: https://automattic.com/privacy/.

After approval of your comment, your profile picture (if available) is visible to the public in the context of your comment.

Media uploads

If you upload images, please remove EXIF location data (GPS). Visitors to the Site can download and extract location data from images.

Cookies

Commenter cookies: If you leave a comment, you may opt in to saving your name, email, and website in cookies for convenience. These last for 1 year.
Login cookies (if accounts are enabled): When you visit the login page, a temporary cookie checks whether your browser accepts cookies. It contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser. If you log in, we set cookies to save your login and screen display choices. Login cookies last 2 days, screen‑options cookies last 1 year. If you select “Remember Me,” your login persists for 2 weeks. Logging out removes login cookies.
Editor cookie: If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie may be saved, indicating the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day and contains no personal data.
Analytics/Performance cookies (if enabled): Used to measure traffic and improve the Site. See Your choices for opt‑out options.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some features may not work without cookies.

Analytics

We may use privacy‑respecting analytics to understand how visitors use the Site. Where feasible, we limit or anonymize IP addresses and avoid cross‑site tracking. Analytics data helps us maintain and improve the Site’s performance and content.

Embedded content from other websites

Embedded content (e.g., YouTube videos, GitHub gists, social posts) behaves as if you visited the third‑party site directly. Those sites may collect data, use cookies, embed additional tracking, and monitor your interaction with embedded content. Your use of those services is governed by their respective privacy policies.

Who we share your data with

We share personal data only as necessary to operate the Site, fulfill features you request, comply with law, or protect our rights. Examples include:

Spam/abuse prevention (e.g., anti‑spam services, firewall/CDN providers).
Hosting and infrastructure (e.g., web host, backup provider).
Email delivery (e.g., transactional email for contact‑form replies or account notifications).
Analytics (usage metrics in aggregate form).

If you request a password reset, your IP address may be included in the reset email for security.

We do not sell your personal information.

How long we retain your data

Comments: Comments and their metadata are retained indefinitely to recognize and auto‑approve follow‑up comments rather than holding them for moderation.
Form submissions: Retained as long as necessary for the purpose collected (e.g., responding, record‑keeping, improving the Site), then deleted or anonymized.
Account profiles (if enabled): For registered users, we store the personal information provided in user profiles. Users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except usernames). Site administrators can also see and edit that information.
Server logs: Retained for a limited period necessary for security and operations unless longer retention is legally required.

What rights you have over your data

If you have an account or have left comments, you can request an export of your personal data we hold about you, including any data you provided. You can also request that we erase your personal data. This does not include data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

To make a request, email privacy@babblebaz.com from the address you used on the Site and describe your request. We may ask for reasonable verification of your identity.

EEA/UK visitors: Where applicable under GDPR/UK GDPR, you may have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object, and data portability. You may also lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

California & certain U.S. states: To the extent applicable, you may have rights to know, delete, correct, and opt out of certain data sharing. We do not sell personal information. To submit a request, contact privacy@babblebaz.com.

Your choices

Analytics opt‑out: You can use browser settings or privacy extensions to block analytics scripts/cookies. If we provide a site‑level opt‑out link in the future, it will be placed here.
Email: You can opt out of non‑essential emails by following instructions in the message or by contacting us.
Cookies: Manage cookies via your browser settings.

Where your data is sent

Visitor comments and form submissions may be checked through an automated spam detection or security service. Data may be processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.

Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal data. No online service can guarantee 100% security.

Children’s privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

International transfers

If you access the Site from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the U.S. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer subject to applicable law.

Automated decision‑making

We do not use automated decision‑making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will reflect the most recent changes. Significant changes will be noted on this page.

Contact us

Questions or requests? Email privacy@babblebaz.com. If email isn’t your thing, you can also reach out via the contact form on the Site.

Legal bases for processing (EEA/UK visitors)

Where GDPR/UK GDPR applies, our legal bases may include: consent (e.g., for certain cookies or newsletter sign‑ups), legitimate interests (e.g., site security, debugging, analytics improvements), and contract (e.g., providing requested features). We may also process data to comply with legal obligations.

Service‑specific notes (if these are enabled on the Site)

Gravatar: Email hash may be sent to Gravatar to display avatars with comments. See Automattic’s policy at https://automattic.com/privacy/.
Anti‑spam (e.g., Akismet) / Firewall/CDN (e.g., Cloudflare): May process IP, user‑agent, referrer, and other metadata to block spam and attacks.
WPForms (contact/submission forms): Stores the form content you submit and related metadata; emails may be sent to the Site owner.
Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Plausible, or similar): Collects usage metrics to help improve the Site. Where possible, settings favor privacy (e.g., IP anonymization when supported).

If any of the above are not active, their note does not apply.