Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 25, 2026

This policy explains what information Whathappensontheinternet (whathappensontheinternet.com) collects, why, and what you can do about it. We write about privacy, so we've tried to make this one readable.

What we collect

When you just read. Like most websites, our server keeps standard logs: IP address, browser type, the page requested, the referring page and the time. We use these to keep the site running and secure, and we don't use them to identify individual readers.

When you contact us. The contact form asks for your name, email address, a subject and your message. We use them to reply and keep a record of the conversation.

When you sign up for the newsletter. The signup form is provided by a third-party form service (Sphere CRM, served from link.sphere-crm.com). It collects the details the form asks for and handles them under its own privacy policy. We use your email address only to send the newsletter, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.

Cookies

Our own pages don't need cookies to work. Third-party services we use may set them, as described below. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings; the site will still work.

Google Analytics

We may use Google Analytics 4 to understand which pages are read and how people arrive. It uses cookies and collects information such as pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser type. Google processes this data under its own terms. You can opt out with Google's browser add-on or by blocking analytics cookies.

Advertising

Ads are delivered by Revive Adserver from servedby.revive-adserver.net. The ad server may set cookies to count impressions, limit how often you see the same ad and prevent fraud. We don't give advertisers your name or email address.

Live headlines

Headline lists on this site are fetched by our own server from public RSS feeds. Your browser doesn't contact those publishers unless you click a headline, at which point their privacy policy applies.

Links to other sites

We link to courts, regulators, news outlets and other sources. We're not responsible for how those sites handle your information, so check their policies.

How long we keep information

Server logs are kept for a limited period for security. Contact messages are kept as long as needed to deal with the request. Newsletter data is kept until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it.

Your rights

California (CCPA/CPRA). You can ask what personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct or delete it, and opt out of its sale or sharing. We don't sell personal information.

UK, EU and EEA (UK GDPR and GDPR). You can request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, and object to processing. Our lawful bases are legitimate interests (running and securing the site), consent (newsletter and non-essential cookies) and responding to your requests. You can complain to your data protection authority, such as the ICO in the UK.

Canada and Australia. You can request access to and correction of personal information we hold under PIPEDA or the Australian Privacy Principles.

To make any request, use our contact page. We'll respond within the time the law requires and may need to confirm your identity first.

Children

This site is written for a general audience and isn't directed at children under 13. We don't knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has sent us information, contact us and we'll delete it.

Changes

If this policy changes, we'll update the date at the top of this page.