Privacy Policy

Who runs this site

This site is owned and operated by Julia Pottinger ("I", "me"). If you have any questions about this policy or your data, please reach out through the contact page.

Information I collect

Information you give me:

• Newsletter: when you subscribe, your name and email address are stored by my email provider, Brevo (formerly Sendinblue), so I can send you updates.
• Free courses: when you join a course, your name, email address, chosen course, delivery status and lesson position are stored using Google Firebase and Brevo so I can send the lessons and avoid sending the same lesson twice.
• Course certificates: when you qualify for and request a certificate, Firebase stores your name, course, score, issue date and certificate identifier. The certificate page is public to anyone with its verification link. Your email is used to confirm course completion but is not shown on the public certificate.
• Contact form: when you message me, the name, email and message you submit are handled through Netlify Forms so I can reply.
• Comments: comments are powered by Disqus. If you comment, your information is handled by Disqus under their own policy.

Information collected automatically:

• Analytics: I use Google Analytics to understand which pages are popular and how the site is used (for example pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser). IP addresses are anonymised.
• Claps: the "clap" counts on articles are stored anonymously using Google Firebase. No personal information is attached to a clap.
• Server logs: my host (Netlify) keeps standard technical logs to operate and secure the site.

Cookies and advertising

This site uses cookies and similar technologies for analytics and to show ads:

• Google AdSense: Google and its partners use cookies to serve and measure ads. Where you have consented, these may be personalised based on your prior activity. You can review or turn off personalised ads in your Google Ad Settings, and learn more at Google's advertising page.
• Consent: if you are in a region that requires it (such as the EU, UK or California), you will see a consent message and can accept, reject, or manage cookies. You can change your choice at any time.
• Your browser: you can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some parts of the site may work less smoothly without them.

How I use your information

• To send the newsletter you asked for, and let you unsubscribe at any time.
• To deliver a free course, remember which lesson is due, stop delivery when you unsubscribe, and verify course completion before issuing a certificate.
• To reply to messages you send me.
• To run, measure and improve the site, including showing and measuring ads.

I do not sell your personal information.

Who your data is shared with

I only share data with the services that make the site work, each of which handles it under their own privacy policy:

• Brevo (newsletter)
• Netlify (hosting & contact form)
• Disqus (comments)
• Google (AdSense, Analytics, Firebase)

Your choices and rights

• Newsletter: unsubscribe any time using the link at the bottom of any newsletter email.
• Course lessons: stop one course using the separate link at the bottom of any course email. Stopping a course does not automatically unsubscribe you from Field Notes.
• Cookies and ads: manage consent on the site, or opt out of personalised ads via Google Ad Settings.
• Depending on where you live (for example under GDPR in the EU/UK, or the CCPA in California), you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of your personal data, and to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of it. To make a request, contact me through the contact page.

Data retention

I keep newsletter data until you unsubscribe or ask me to remove it, and contact messages for as long as needed to handle your enquiry. Active course enrollment data is removed when you finish or unsubscribe. Course completion and certificate records are retained so a certificate can continue to be verified, unless you ask me to delete them. Analytics data is retained according to Google's standard settings.

International transfers

The services above are based in the United States and elsewhere, so your data may be processed outside your country, including in the US.

Children

This site is not directed to children, and I do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 16.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, I will update the date at the top of this page.

Contact

Questions about your privacy or this policy? Reach me through the contact page.