Your privacy matters

ArdentSupport (“we,” “our,” or “us”) operates the website ardentsupport.com. This policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

We collect information in the following ways:

• Account data — if you create an account (name, email, password hash). Passwords are never stored in plain text.
• Comments — if you leave a comment, we store your name, email address, comment content, IP address, and browser user-agent for spam prevention.
• Contact form — name, email, subject, and message when you submit our contact form. Your IP address is also stored.
• Analytics — we use privacy-respecting analytics to understand how readers use the site (page views, referrers, general device type). No personally identifiable analytics data is shared with third parties.
• Affiliate click tracking— when you click an affiliate link, the hosting provider's tracking system records that you came from our site. We do not have access to your individual purchase data.

• To display your comments on articles (with your consent at submission)
• To respond to contact form enquiries
• To maintain your account if you have one
• To detect and prevent spam and abuse
• To understand aggregate usage patterns and improve the site

We do not sell your personal data. We do not send marketing emails without explicit opt-in.

We use the following types of cookies:

• Session cookies — required for login functionality. Deleted when you close your browser.
• Preference cookies — remember settings like dark/light mode. Stored locally in your browser.
• Analytics cookies — used to count page visits. No personally identifiable information is stored in analytics cookies.

You can block or clear cookies in your browser settings at any time. Some site features (such as staying logged in) will not work without session cookies.

We use the following third-party services that may process your data:

• Hosting providers we link to — each has its own privacy policy governing data collected when you visit their site.
• Analytics provider — anonymised data only; no cross-site tracking.
• YouTube — embedded videos may set cookies from Google/YouTube when played.

• Comments — retained indefinitely unless you request deletion.
• Contact form submissions — retained for 2 years, then deleted.
• Account data — retained until you delete your account.
• Analytics — aggregated and anonymised after 90 days.

Depending on your location you may have the right to:

• Access a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Object to processing for certain purposes
• Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us. We will respond within 30 days.

ArdentSupport is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal data to us, please contact us immediately.

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Material changes will be noted with a revised “last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the site after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.