Privacy Policy

At Break Free Now, I value your privacy and am committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit my blog at breakfreenow.co, where I inspire professionals to embrace independence through solo or small businesses.

1. Data I Collect

I collect minimal data to enhance your experience and manage my blog effectively:

  • Comments: When you leave a comment, I collect the data entered in the comment form (e.g., name, email, website), your IP address, and browser user agent to detect spam. If you use Gravatar, an anonymized email hash is sent to check for a profile picture, which is publicly visible with your comment after approval. See Gravatar’s privacy policy: https://automattic.com/privacy/.

  • Media: Images you upload may contain EXIF GPS data. Avoid uploading images with location data, as visitors can extract this information.

  • Cookies:

    • Comment cookies (optional): Save your name, email, and website for convenience, lasting one year.

    • Login cookies: Temporary cookies for login pages (discarded when you close your browser) and login/screen option cookies (lasting 2 days to 1 year). “Remember Me” extends login to 2 weeks.

    • Editing cookies: Save the post ID of articles you edit, expiring in 1 day, with no personal data.

  • Embedded Content: Articles may include content (e.g., videos, images) from other websites, which may use cookies or tracking as if you visited those sites directly.

2. How I Use Your Data

I use your data to:

  • Manage and display comments to foster discussion.

  • Detect and prevent spam (e.g., via automated services like Akismet).

  • Improve your browsing experience with cookies.

  • Provide login and editing functionality for registered users.

3. Who I Share Your Data With

I don’t share your data except:

  • Spam Detection: Comments are checked by automated spam detection services (e.g., Akismet).

  • Password Resets: Your IP address is included in reset emails.

  • Legal Requirements: If required by law, I may disclose data to comply with legal obligations.

4. How Long I Keep Your Data

  • Comments: Retained indefinitely to auto-approve follow-up comments, unless you request deletion.

  • User Profiles: Registered users’ data is stored until you delete your account. I can view/edit this data as the admin.

  • Cookies: Vary from 1 day (editing) to 1 year (comment/login settings).

5. Your Data Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request an exported file of your personal data (e.g., comments, account details).

  • Delete: Request erasure of your data, except data I must keep for legal, administrative, or security purposes.

  • Edit: Update your profile information (except username) if registered.

  • Opt-Out: Disable cookies via your browser settings.

To exercise these rights, use the contact form.

6. Where Your Data Is Sent

  • Comments may be processed by spam detection services, which may operate outside your country.

  • Embedded content providers (e.g., YouTube) may collect data based on their privacy policies.

7. Cookies and Tracking

I use cookies to enhance functionality (e.g., remembering comment details, login sessions). You can manage cookies via your browser settings, but disabling them may affect site features.

8. Security

I use industry-standard measures (e.g., encryption, secure hosting) to protect your data, but no online platform is 100% secure. I strive to minimize risks.

My blog may link to external sites (e.g., Medium posts). I’m not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before sharing data.

10. Changes to This Policy

I may update this policy to reflect legal or operational changes. Check this page for the latest version (last updated: May 8, 2025).

11. Contact Me

For questions or to exercise your data rights, use the contact form.

Thank you for trusting Break Free Now as you explore independence!