Privacy Policy: Cookies and Your Rights

Last updated: September 24, 2026

This policy explains what information Dontbeinthedark ("we", "us") collects when you visit dontbeinthedark.com, why, and what choices you have. We've tried to write it the way we write everything else: plainly.

Information we collect

Information you give us. If you use our contact form, we receive your name, email address, subject and message. If you sign up for our newsletter, the form provider receives your email address and any other details the form asks for.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, our server and the services we use record technical data such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, the page that referred you, and the date and time of your visit.

Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small files stored on your device. We use them, or allow partners to use them, to measure how the site is used and to serve advertising. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. The site will still work, although some ads may be less relevant.

Analytics

We may use Google Analytics 4 to understand which guides are read and how visitors move through the site. Google Analytics uses cookies and collects data such as pages viewed and approximate location. Google's own privacy policy applies to that data. You can opt out with Google's browser add-on for disabling Analytics.

Advertising

We display ads served through Revive Adserver. Ad serving may use cookies or similar technologies to limit how often you see an ad, to measure whether ads are viewed, and to prevent fraud. Advertisers never receive the content of your messages to us.

Our newsletter signup form is provided by a third-party form and email service (Sphere CRM). When you subscribe, your details are stored by that provider so we can send you email. Every email includes a way to unsubscribe.

Third-party links and headlines

Our pages link to other websites, including government agencies, courts and the news sources shown in our headline lists. Those sites have their own privacy practices, and we're not responsible for them.

How we use information

To respond to messages and corrections.
To send the newsletter you asked for.
To understand which guides are useful and improve the site.
To serve and measure advertising that supports the site.
To keep the site secure and prevent abuse.

We don't sell your contact-form messages or email address.

Your rights

California residents (CCPA/CPRA): you may have the right to know what personal information is collected, to request deletion, to correct it, and to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information for targeted advertising. Residents of the EU, EEA and U.K. (GDPR): you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to processing of your data, and to data portability. Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time. Other U.S. states have similar laws. To make a request, contact us using the details below. We won't treat you differently for exercising your rights.

Data retention and security

We keep contact messages only as long as needed to respond and keep a record of corrections. No website can promise perfect security, but we use reasonable safeguards, including HTTPS across the site.

Children

The site is intended for adults and isn't directed at children under 13. We don't knowingly collect their personal information.

Changes and contact

If we change this policy, we'll update the date at the top. Questions or requests go through our contact page.

Privacy policy