Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 28, 2026

42ZERO operates on Ghost, an independent publishing platform built for writers, creators, and digital thinkers.

We believe privacy should be transparent, minimal, and user-controlled.

This Privacy Policy explains what we collect, why we collect it, and how we protect it.

1. Information We Collect

We only collect data necessary to operate 42ZERO responsibly and sustainably.

a. Information You Provide

  • Email Address — when you subscribe to our newsletter or become a member.
  • Payment Information — if you choose a paid subscription or donation. All payments are securely processed via Stripe. 42ZERO does not store credit card details.
  • Messages & Contact Forms — when you email or contact us directly.

b. Information Collected Automatically

  • Cookies — used for login sessions, membership access, and site preferences.
  • Analytics Data — collected through privacy-conscious tools such as Google Analytics (GA4) or Ghost’s native analytics to understand readership trends. We do not profile individual users.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected data to:

  • Send newsletters and editorial updates you subscribed to
  • Manage memberships and access permissions
  • Improve site performance and publishing quality
  • Sustain the platform through reader support and advertising

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data.

3. Email & Membership

Subscribers may receive editorial digests, updates, or announcements.

Every email includes an unsubscribe link.
Upon unsubscribing, your email is removed from active mailing lists.

4. Security

42ZERO maintains:

  • HTTPS encryption
  • Secure Ghost hosting infrastructure
  • Encrypted payment processing through Stripe

We do not store sensitive payment credentials or plaintext passwords.

5. Third-Party Services

42ZERO may rely on:

  • Self-hosted Ghost CMS
  • Stripe for payment processing
  • Google Analytics for site metrics
  • Mailgun for email delivery

Each provider processes data according to its own privacy policies.

6. Advertising & Ad Partners

To keep the platform sustainable, 42ZERO uses advertising services provided by Google AdSense.

AdSense may use cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies to display relevant ads. Data collected may include:

  • IP address
  • Browser and device information
  • Ad impressions and interactions
  • General usage metrics

Google may use DoubleClick cookies to serve personalized or non-personalized ads depending on user consent and regional regulations.

Users can manage ad personalization via browser settings or Google’s Ad Settings.

For more information, refer to Google’s official Privacy Policy.

7. Your Rights

GDPR (EU / EEA Users)

If you are located in the EU or EEA, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Request correction or deletion
  • Request data portability
  • Withdraw consent or object to processing
  • Lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority

To exercise GDPR rights:
📧 rottie@42zero.org

CCPA (California Residents)

California residents have the right to:

  • Know what personal data is collected and how it is used
  • Request deletion of personal information
  • Opt-out of data sale or sharing (42ZERO does not sell data)
  • Receive equal service regardless of privacy requests

To submit a CCPA request:
📧 rottie@42zero.org

Data Deletion

You may request complete deletion of:

  • Email records
  • Membership data
  • Associated analytics identifiers

Requests are processed within a reasonable timeframe.

8. Children’s Privacy

42ZERO is not intended for children under 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.

9. Policy Updates

We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically.
The updated version will appear on this page with a revised date.

Continued use of the site indicates acceptance of updated terms.

10. Contact

Questions regarding privacy or data practices:

📧 rottie@42zero.org