Privacy Policy

This policy explains what information lukegherardi.com (“the site”) collects, why, and what choices you have. The site is run by Luke Gherardi (“I”, “me”). If you have any question about it, email lukegherardi2@gmail.com.

The short version

• There are no accounts, sign-up forms, newsletters, ads, or analytics on this site.
• The site sets no cookies and does not track you across other websites.
• I do not sell or share your personal information.
• The company that hosts the site keeps short-lived technical logs, such as IP addresses, so it can deliver pages and keep the site secure.
• If you email me or message me on Instagram, I receive your contact details and your message, and I use them only to reply.

What is collected

Technical logs kept by the web host

The site is hosted by Vercel Inc. When your browser asks for a page, Vercel’s servers automatically process technical information such as your IP address, browser and device type, the page requested, the page you came from, and the date and time. This is needed to send you the page and to protect the site against attacks and abuse. I do not use these logs to identify you or build a profile of you. Vercel keeps them for a limited time under its own privacy policy.

Messages you send me

If you email me or message me on Instagram, I receive your name, email address or account name, and whatever you choose to write. I use it only to read and answer your message. Email is handled by Google (Gmail) and Instagram messages by Meta, under their own privacy policies.

Your animation setting

If you press “Turn off animation” at the bottom of any page, your browser saves one setting on your own device (in its local storage) so the site stays still on your next visit. It contains no personal information and is never sent to me or anyone else. Press “Turn animation back on” or clear this site’s data in your browser to remove it. Because it only exists to provide a feature you asked for, it does not need a consent banner.

What is not collected

The site uses no cookies, analytics or visitor statistics, advertising or tracking pixels, social media “like” buttons, embedded videos, or fingerprinting. The fonts and images are served from this site itself, not from Google Fonts or other outside services, so loading a page does not send your information to anyone else.

Links to other sites

The site links to stores (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookBaby), Instagram, YouTube, and Kirkus Reviews. These links carry no affiliate or tracking codes. Once you follow one, you are on that company’s site and its own privacy policy applies.

How information is used and shared

Information is used only to run the site and to reply to you. I do not sell personal information, and I do not “share” it for targeted or cross-context behavioural advertising, as those terms are used in California law. It is disclosed only to the service providers named above, which handle it for me, or where the law requires it.

Visitors in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom and Switzerland

• Legal basis. Technical logs are processed on the basis of legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR and UK GDPR) in delivering the site and keeping it secure. Messages are processed on the basis of legitimate interests in answering people who write to me. The animation setting stays on your device and is stored only at your request.
• International transfers. Vercel, Google and Meta are based in the United States, so information may be processed there. These companies rely on recognised safeguards such as the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (and its UK and Swiss extensions) and the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses.
• Retention. Emails are kept only as long as useful for the conversation, and are deleted sooner if you ask. Server logs are kept by Vercel for a limited period under its policy.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, including under the GDPR, the UK GDPR, the California Consumer Privacy Act and other U.S. state privacy laws, you may have the right to:

• ask what personal information I hold about you and get a copy of it;
• ask me to correct or delete it;
• object to or restrict how it is used, or ask for it in a portable format;
• opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information or targeted advertising (none takes place on this site);
• not be treated differently for using any of these rights.

To make a request, email lukegherardi2@gmail.com. I will reply within 30 days, and may need to ask a question or two to confirm the request comes from you. You may also use an authorised agent. If you are in the EEA, UK or Switzerland, you also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.

Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control

The site does not track visitors, so it works the same whether or not your browser sends a Do Not Track or Global Privacy Control signal. Those signals are honoured by default, because no personal information is sold or shared.

Children

This site is not directed at children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA and UK), and the books deal with mature themes. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has sent me personal information, email me and I will delete it.

Security

The site is served only over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection. No method of sending or storing information is completely secure, but very little information exists here to begin with.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, the new version will be posted on this page with a new “Last updated” date.

Contact

Luke Gherardi · lukegherardi2@gmail.com