Privacy Policy

Last Updated: June 7, 2026

Website: stackrater.io Operated from: Australia Contact: contact@stackrater.io

This policy explains what data StackRater collects when you visit, why we collect it, and what control you have over it. We’ve put the plain-English summary up top and the full legal detail underneath, so you can read as much or as little as you need.

The Short Version

We run a small, reader-funded review site. The data side of that is deliberately minimal:

We collect three things:

  • Basic, anonymised analytics - which pages get read, rough country, device type
  • Your email address - only if you choose to subscribe
  • Comments - only the ones you choose to leave

We never:

  • Sell or rent your data to anyone, ever
  • Follow you around the wider web (beyond the standard affiliate cookie when you click an affiliate link)
  • Touch your payment details - we don’t process payments at all

We do:

  • Drop an affiliate cookie when you click a recommendation, so the merchant attributes the sale to us and we get paid
  • Email subscribers (with a one-click unsubscribe in every message)
  • Look at aggregate analytics to learn which articles are worth writing more of

Everything below is the same thing, said the way lawyers prefer it.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Collected Automatically

Simply loading a page on stackrater.io generates some technical data, which we record:

  • IP address (anonymised wherever possible)
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Which pages you viewed, and how long you spent on them
  • The site that referred you here
  • Approximate location, at the country/city level only

1.2 Information You Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide:

  • Email address (if you subscribe to our newsletter)
  • Name (if you provide it in comments or contact forms)
  • Any content you submit (comments, messages, etc.)

1.3 Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

  • Analytics: Understanding how visitors use our site (Clicky Analytics, Cloudflare Analytics)
  • Affiliate Tracking: Tracking purchases made through our affiliate links so we receive commission
  • Functionality: Remembering your preferences

Third-party cookies:

  • Affiliate networks (to track referrals and attribute commissions)
  • Analytics providers

You can disable cookies in your browser, but some site features may not work properly.

2. Why We Use It

The information above is put to a short, fixed set of uses - nothing beyond these:

  • Improving the site: working out which content actually helps people
  • Newsletter: sending updates to subscribers who asked for them
  • Affiliate attribution: crediting a referred sale to us so we’re paid for it
  • Legal compliance: responding to lawful requests when we’re obliged to
  • Abuse prevention: spotting and stopping fraud or misuse

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 We Share Information With:

  • Affiliate networks: To track and attribute sales (e.g., Impact, CJ Affiliate, direct programs)
  • Email service providers: To send newsletters (only if you subscribed)
  • Analytics providers: Clicky Analytics, Cloudflare Analytics
  • Hosting providers: Where our site and data are stored

3.2 We DO NOT:

  • Sell your personal information to third parties
  • Share your email with marketers
  • Provide your data to companies we review (unless legally required)

We may disclose information if:

  • Required by Australian law or legal process
  • Necessary to protect our rights or property
  • Required to investigate fraud or security issues
  • Part of a business sale or merger (you’ll be notified)

4. Affiliate Disclosure and Tracking

We participate in affiliate marketing programs. When you click our affiliate links:

  • A cookie is placed on your device
  • If you make a purchase, we receive a commission
  • The merchant may collect information about your purchase
  • This tracking typically lasts 30-90 days depending on the program

Affiliate partners we work with include:

  • VPN providers (NordVPN, ProtonVPN, Mullvad, etc.)
  • Web hosting companies (Hetzner, Scala Hosting, etc.)
  • Various software and service providers

For full transparency on our affiliate relationships, see our Disclosure Policy.

5. Your Rights (Australian Privacy Principles)

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

5.1 Access

Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

5.2 Correction

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

5.3 Deletion

Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements).

5.4 Opt-Out

  • Email: Unsubscribe from newsletters using the link in any email
  • Cookies: Disable cookies in your browser settings
  • Analytics: Use browser Do Not Track settings

5.5 Complaints

If you believe we’ve mishandled your personal information:

  1. Contact us at contact@stackrater.io
  2. If unsatisfied, contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): www.oaic.gov.au

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures:

  • HTTPS encryption for data transmission
  • Secure hosting with reputable providers
  • Regular security updates and monitoring
  • Limited access to personal information

However: No internet transmission is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. International Data Transfers

Our site is hosted on servers that may be located outside Australia. Your information may be transferred to and processed in:

  • United States (hosting, analytics providers)
  • European Union (some service providers)

We take steps to ensure adequate protection, but acknowledge international data transfers involve inherent risks.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our site is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe we’ve collected information from a child, contact us immediately.

Our site contains links to third-party websites (including affiliate links). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their privacy policies before providing information.

10. Newsletter and Marketing

If you subscribe to our newsletter:

  • We’ll send you updates, articles, and occasionally product recommendations
  • We will not spam you or share your email
  • You can unsubscribe anytime using the link in emails
  • We use third-party email service providers who may process your email address

11. Analytics and Tracking Details

Clicky Analytics

We use Clicky Analytics to understand site usage. Clicky may:

  • Track your browsing across multiple sites
  • Use cookies and other tracking technologies
  • Process data in the United States

Cloudflare

We use Cloudflare for CDN, security, and analytics. Cloudflare may:

  • Process your IP address and browsing data
  • Store cookies for security and performance
  • Process data globally

Review Cloudflare’s Privacy Policy

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance.

For significant changes, we’ll notify newsletter subscribers.

13. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you’re a California resident, you have additional rights under CCPA:

  • Right to know what personal information is collected
  • Right to delete personal information
  • Right to opt-out of sale of personal information (we don’t sell data)
  • Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

To exercise these rights, contact: contact@stackrater.io

14. European Users (GDPR)

If you’re in the EU/EEA, you have rights under GDPR:

  • Right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to withdraw consent
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Legal basis for processing:

  • Consent (for newsletters, analytics)
  • Legitimate interests (for affiliate tracking, site improvement)
  • Legal obligations (when required by law)

15. Data Retention

We retain information:

  • Analytics data: Typically 26 months (Clicky Analytics default)
  • Email addresses: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
  • Comments/submissions: Indefinitely unless you request deletion
  • Affiliate tracking cookies: 30-90 days (varies by program)

16. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions, requests, or complaints:

StackRater Email: contact@stackrater.io Website: stackrater.io

Australian Privacy Commissioner: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Website: www.oaic.gov.au Phone: 1300 363 992

In Short

Minimal data in, nothing shady out. We keep what we need to run the site and attribute affiliate sales, we never sell it, and you can ask us to delete your information whenever you like. Australian privacy law applies throughout.

Questions? Email contact@stackrater.io