Information we collect

Information you provide

• Contact (e.g., name, email) when you email us or use a contact link.
• Newsletter (email, optional name) if you subscribe.
• Feedback (free-text) if you send corrections or suggestions.

Information collected automatically

• Usage: page views, referring pages, approximate location (country/region), device/browser.
• Logs: standard server logs (IP address, user agent, timestamps) for security and reliability.
• Cookies: small files used to remember preferences and measure site performance (see Cookies & analytics).

Calculators & tools

Our calculators run in your browser. We do not receive your inputs unless you explicitly send them to us (e.g., via email). Exports you download are stored on your device, not our servers.

How we use information

• Provide the site and features (calculators, checklists, guides).
• Improve content by understanding what’s useful and fixing issues.
• Communicate about questions, support, or updates (with your consent).
• Safety & compliance (prevent abuse, secure the service, meet legal obligations).

Legal bases (where applicable): consent, legitimate interests (site operation & improvement), performance of a request you make, and compliance with law.

Cookies & analytics

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep things working and to understand aggregate usage. Depending on the tools we use, these may be strictly necessary (security, load balancing) or optional (analytics).

Types of cookies

• Essential: required for core functionality and security.
• Preferences: remember selections (e.g., dismissing a banner).
• Analytics: measure traffic and performance in aggregate.

Your choices

• Browser controls: block or delete cookies in your browser settings.
• Do Not Track: we don’t use DNT to change behavior today; use cookie settings instead.
• Emails: unsubscribe anytime via the link in our emails.

We aim to use privacy-respecting analytics. If we adopt additional vendors, we’ll update this page and, where required, request consent.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited data with:

• Service providers (hosting, email/newsletter, analytics) under contracts that limit their use to providing services to us.
• Legal & safety if required by law or to protect our rights, users, or the public.
• Mergers/transactions if we undergo a reorganization; we’ll notify you of any material changes.

Retention

• Contact emails: typically up to 24 months.
• Newsletter: until you unsubscribe or we delete inactive addresses.
• Server logs: typically 30–90 days (longer if needed for security/investigation).
• Calculator inputs: processed in your browser; not stored by us.

Your privacy rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or obtain a copy of your personal information, and to withdraw consent where we rely on it.

California (CPRA)

• Right to know, delete, correct, and limit use of sensitive information.
• Right to opt out of “sale” or “sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising (we do not sell personal info).
• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights.

EEA/UK (GDPR)

• Right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, and data portability.
• Right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To make a request, please use our contact page. We’ll verify your request as required by law.

Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; please use the site with that in mind and avoid sending sensitive data via plain email.

Children’s privacy

FirstKeysGuide is for general audiences and is not directed to children under 13. If you believe a child provided personal information, contact us and we’ll remove it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be noted here. Your continued use of the site after changes means you accept the updated policy.

Effective date: September 3, 2025 • Last updated: September 3, 2025

Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our practices, please contact us: