Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Stay Private Online ("we," "us," or "the Site," operated by [YOUR LEGAL NAME OR BUSINESS ENTITY] from Alberta, Canada) collects, uses, and shares information when you visit stayprivateonline.net. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.
1. Who we are and what this Site is
Stay Private Online is an independent, advertising-supported comparison website about VPN services. We do not sell VPN subscriptions ourselves; we link to third-party providers and may earn affiliate commissions. We are not owned by any VPN provider.
2. Information we collect
We aim to collect as little personal information as possible. Depending on how you use the Site, this may include:
- Usage and device data collected automatically — IP address, browser type, operating system, referring page, pages viewed, and approximate location derived from IP.
- Cookies and similar technologies — small files and identifiers used for analytics, advertising measurement, and affiliate tracking (see Section 4).
- Information you choose to provide — for example, an email address if you contact us or sign up for an email list. We do not require you to create an account.
We do not knowingly collect sensitive personal information, and you are never required to provide personal information to read the comparison content.
3. How we use information
- To operate, maintain, and improve the Site and its content.
- To understand how visitors use the Site through aggregate analytics.
- To measure the performance of our advertising and affiliate links.
- To respond to your inquiries if you contact us.
- To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use.
4. Cookies, analytics, and advertising technologies
We and our third-party partners use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies for the following purposes:
- Analytics — we use [Google Analytics 4 / your analytics tool] to understand site traffic and usage in aggregate. This may set cookies and process your IP address and usage data.
- Advertising measurement — we use the [Meta Pixel] to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and, where applicable, to build audiences for advertising on Meta platforms. This may collect your IP address, browser/device information, and the pages you view on the Site.
- Affiliate tracking — when you click a link to a VPN provider, our affiliate networks (which may include [Impact, CJ Affiliate, Awin, or a provider's own program]) may set a cookie so the provider can credit a resulting sign-up to us. This cookie does not give us your name or payment details.
You can control cookies through your browser settings and opt out of many advertising cookies through tools such as the Network Advertising Initiative and Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out pages. Blocking cookies will not prevent you from reading the Site.
5. How information is shared
We do not sell your personal information for money. We share information only as follows:
- With service providers who help us run the Site (for example, hosting via Cloudflare, and the analytics and advertising platforms named above), who may process data on our behalf.
- With affiliate networks and VPN providers to the extent needed to track and credit referrals.
- When required by law, or to protect our rights, safety, or property.
- In connection with a business transfer such as a sale of the Site.
Note that under some U.S. state privacy laws, the use of advertising cookies described above can be considered "sharing" or a "sale" of personal information. See Section 7 for your choices.
6. Data retention and security
We retain automatically collected data only as long as needed for the purposes above or as required by law, and we rely on our service providers' standard retention periods for analytics and advertising data. We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, but no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.
7. Your privacy rights
California residents (CCPA/CPRA). You may have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion, to correct inaccurate information, and to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We do not sell personal information for money, and we honor recognized opt-out preference signals such as Global Privacy Control (GPC) where required. To exercise these rights, contact us at [contact@stayprivateonline.net]. We will not discriminate against you for exercising them.
Other U.S. states. Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws (such as Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and others) may have similar rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of targeted advertising. You can exercise these rights using the same contact method.
Canada (PIPEDA). Because the Site is operated from Canada, the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act may apply. You may request access to and correction of personal information we hold about you.
8. International visitors
The Site is operated from Canada and directed primarily at users in the United States. If you access the Site from elsewhere, your information may be transferred to and processed in Canada, the United States, and other countries where our service providers operate.
9. Children's privacy
The Site is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be posted on this page.
11. Contact us
Questions about this policy or your information? Contact us at [contact@stayprivateonline.net].