Effective Date: October 2, 2026
Website: https://katelinke.com (“the Site”)
Site Owner: Kate Linke (“I”, “me”, or “my”)
This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, and protected when you visit katelinke.com, subscribe to my updates, or reach out to me via the website.
1. Information I Collect
A. Information You Provide Directly
Contact Forms: When you submit a message through the contact form, I collect the details you enter, typically your name, email address, and message content.
Newsletter Signups: If you opt in to receive updates, news, or essays, I collect your email address (and your name, if provided).
B. Information Collected Automatically
Analytics Data (Google Analytics 4): When you navigate the Site, GA4 collects non-personally identifiable pseudonymous usage details, such as:
Device category, operating system, and browser type
Approximate geographic location (city/country level; IP addresses are anonymized and not logged)
Page views, session duration, referral sources, and interaction events (such as button clicks or scroll depth)
Server and Hosting Logs: Squarespace, my hosting provider, automatically collects standard server technical logs (including IP addresses, browser headers, and system timestamps) to keep the website operational, secure, and performant.
2. How I Use Your Information
The information collected is used exclusively for legitimate, personal creative purposes:
To read and respond to messages, inquiries, or feedback submitted through contact forms.
To deliver requested newsletters, creative announcements, or publication updates (only if you explicitly opted in).
To evaluate site performance, understand aggregate reader engagement, and fix broken pages via Google Analytics 4.
To maintain site security, prevent spam submissions, and protect against fraudulent activity.
I do not sell, rent, monetize, or trade your personal data with third parties or data brokers under any circumstances.
3. Third-Party Service Providers
I rely on trusted third-party platforms to host and operate the Site. These processors only handle your data according to their respective privacy standards:
Squarespace: Hosts the website, maintains server infrastructure, and securely stores form submissions and subscriber lists.
Privacy policy: squarespace.com/privacy
Google Analytics 4 (Google LLC): Measures aggregate website traffic patterns. Data collected by GA4 is retained according to standard retention controls and is not used to identify individuals.
Privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
The Site utilizes cookies (small text files stored on your device) to operate:
Functional / Necessary Cookies: Required by Squarespace to allow pages to load properly, retain user preferences, and maintain basic site security.
Performance / Analytics Cookies: Placed by Google Analytics 4 to recognize returning visitors in aggregate and gauge site engagement.
You can disable or clear cookies at any time through your browser settings. The Site remains fully readable even if performance cookies are blocked.
5. Data Retention
Contact Form Inquiries: Messages and contact details are retained only as long as necessary to address your communication, after which they are archived or deleted.
Newsletter Subscribers: Your email address is stored until you unsubscribe. Every newsletter includes an automated "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom, allowing you to opt out instantly.
Analytics Records: GA4 event data is automatically purged according to standard retention windows (2 to 14 months).
6. Your Rights Regarding Your Data
Regardless of your geographic location (including under GDPR, UK GDPR, and US state privacy regulations such as CCPA/CPRA), you have the right to:
Request confirmation of the personal data held about you.
Request correction of any inaccurate personal details.
Request permanent deletion of your contact form messages or email address from my records.
Withdraw consent to receive email communications at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, submit a request directly through the contact form on this Site.
7. Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in the European Economic Area). I do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through this Site, please reach out via the contact form so it can be promptly removed.
8. Changes to This Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect site adjustments, platform changes, or evolving legal standards. Any revisions will be published on this page with an updated "Effective Date" at the top.
9. Contact
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please submit a message via the contact form at: