Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 25, 2025
Last Updated: August 25, 2025

Introduction

Welcome to fastcode.io (“we,” “our,” or “us”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website fastcode.io (the “Site”). This policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other applicable privacy laws.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under GDPR, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Consent: When you provide explicit consent (e.g., newsletter subscriptions, cookies)
Legitimate Interest: For analytics, security, and improving our services
Contract Performance: When processing donations or providing requested services
Legal Obligation: When required by law to retain or process certain data

Information We Collect

Personal Data You Provide

Contact Information: Name, email address, and message content when contacting us
Donation Information: Payment details processed by third-party processors (we don’t store payment card data)
Comments and User Content: Name, email, website URL, and comment content
Newsletter Subscriptions: Email address and preferences (if applicable)
Correspondence: Any communications you send to us

Information Collected Automatically

Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device information
Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, referring websites, search terms
Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies

Special Categories of Data

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data (health, political opinions, religious beliefs, etc.). If you include such information in comments or communications, please be aware it may be publicly visible.

WordPress.com Hosting Data

Our site is hosted on WordPress.com (Automattic Inc.), which processes data on our behalf. They may collect:

Server logs and technical information
Security-related data
Performance metrics

Please review WordPress.com’s Privacy Policy and GDPR Compliance Statement for details.

How We Use Your Information

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

Service Provision

Operating and maintaining the blog
Processing and acknowledging donations
Responding to comments and inquiries
Providing customer support

Communication

Sending newsletters (with consent)
Notifying about new posts or updates
Responding to contact requests
Administrative communications

Analytics and Improvement

Analyzing website usage and performance
Understanding user preferences and behavior
Improving content and user experience
Technical maintenance and security

Legal and Security

Preventing fraud and abuse
Complying with legal obligations
Protecting our rights and property
Enforcing terms of service

Marketing (Future)

Displaying relevant advertisements (Google AdSense, WordAds)
Measuring advertising effectiveness
Personalizing ad content

Legal Basis Summary Table

Purpose	Legal Basis	Data Types
Blog operation	Legitimate Interest	Usage data, technical data
Comment processing	Legitimate Interest	Name, email, comment content
Newsletter	Consent	Email address
Donations	Contract	Contact and payment data
Analytics	Legitimate Interest	Usage and technical data
Advertising	Consent/Legitimate Interest	Cookie data, usage patterns

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Third-Party Processors

We share data with the following categories of processors:

Hosting and Infrastructure:

WordPress.com (Automattic Inc.) – US/EU
Content Delivery Networks

Analytics:

Google Analytics – Global
WordPress.com Stats – US/EU

Payment Processing:

PayPal – Global
Stripe – US/EU
Other donation platforms

Communication:

Email service providers (if applicable)
Comment systems (Akismet for spam protection)

Advertising (Future):

Google AdSense – Global
WordPress WordAds – US/EU

International Transfers

Some of our service providers are located outside the European Economic Area (EEA). We ensure adequate protection through:

Adequacy Decisions: Transfers to countries with adequate protection
Standard Contractual Clauses: EU-approved contract terms
Certification Schemes: Providers certified under recognized frameworks

Other Disclosures

We may disclose information:

To comply with legal obligations
To protect our rights and property
To investigate violations of our terms
With your consent
In connection with business transfers

Your Rights Under GDPR

If you are in the EU/EEA, you have the following rights:

Right of Access (Article 15)

Request confirmation of processing and copies of your personal data.

Right to Rectification (Article 16)

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

Right to Erasure (Article 17)

Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.

Right to Restrict Processing (Article 18)

Request limitation of processing under specific conditions.

Right to Data Portability (Article 20)

Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

Right to Object (Article 21)

Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing purposes.

Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making (Article 22)

We don’t use solely automated decision-making, but you can request human review if applicable.

Right to Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

Right to Lodge a Complaint

Contact your local data protection authority if you believe we’ve violated your rights.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights:

Right to Know

Request information about personal data collection, use, and sharing in the past 12 months.

Right to Delete

Request deletion of personal data we’ve collected about you.

Right to Opt-Out

Opt-out of the sale of personal data (we don’t currently sell data).

Right to Non-Discrimination

We won’t discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

Other Regional Rights

Residents of other jurisdictions may have similar rights under local laws:

Canada (PIPEDA): Access and correction rights
Australia (Privacy Act): Access and correction rights
Brazil (LGPD): Similar rights to GDPR
UK (UK GDPR): Same rights as EU GDPR

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise your privacy rights:

Contact Methods

Email: [email protected]

Verification Process

We may need to verify your identity before processing requests. We’ll ask for:

Sufficient information to confirm your identity
Specific details about your request

Response Times

GDPR requests: 30 days (can be extended to 60 days for complex requests)
CCPA requests: 45 days (can be extended to 90 days)
Other jurisdictions: As required by local law

Fees

Most requests are free. We may charge a reasonable fee for excessive or repetitive requests.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:

Comments: Indefinitely unless deletion requested
Contact inquiries: 3 years or until resolved
Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
Donation records: 7 years for tax and legal compliance
Analytics data: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
Log files: 30 days
Cookie data: As specified in our Cookie Policy

Children’s Privacy

Our site is not directed to children under 16 (or 13 in the US). We don’t knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data, please contact us immediately.

Parents/guardians have the right to:

Request access to their child’s data
Request deletion of their child’s data
Refuse further collection or use

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures:

Technical Safeguards

SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
Regular security updates and patches
Access controls and authentication
Secure hosting infrastructure

Organizational Measures

Staff training on data protection
Regular security assessments
Incident response procedures
Privacy by design principles

Breach Notification

In case of a data breach, we will:

Notify relevant supervisory authorities within 72 hours (GDPR)
Inform affected individuals without undue delay if high risk
Maintain records of all breaches

Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies. Please see our detailed Cookie Policy below for information about:

Types of cookies we use
Third-party cookies
Managing cookie preferences
Legal basis for cookie processing

International Compliance

GDPR Compliance Officer

Data Protection Officer: [email protected]
EU Representative: [email protected]

Privacy Shield/Adequacy

We rely on various transfer mechanisms as outlined in the International Transfers section.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:

Changes in our practices
New legal requirements
Feedback from users or regulators

Notification Process

Material changes: Email notification to registered users
Minor updates: Notice on website
Version history: Available upon request

Your Options

If you disagree with changes, you may:

Stop using our services
Request data deletion
Contact us with concerns

Contact Information

General Inquiries

Email: [email protected]
Website: fastcode.io

Privacy-Specific Contacts

Data Protection Inquiries: [email protected]
GDPR Representative: [email protected]

Supervisory Authorities

EU Users: Contact your local data protection authority
UK Users: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
California Users: California Attorney General’s Office

Cookie Policy

Effective Date: [Insert Date]
Last Updated: [Insert Date]

Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how fastcode.io uses cookies and similar tracking technologies. This policy complies with GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, CCPA, and other applicable laws.

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember your preferences and provide personalized experiences.

Similar Technologies

We also use:

Web beacons: Small graphics that track page views
Local storage: Browser storage for preferences
Pixels: Tracking elements in emails or pages
Fingerprinting: Device identification techniques

Legal Basis for Cookies

GDPR Legal Basis

Consent: Non-essential cookies require explicit consent
Legitimate Interest: Some analytics and security cookies
Necessary for Service: Essential functionality cookies

Cookie Categories by Legal Requirement

Strictly Necessary: No consent required
Preferences: Consent required
Statistics: Consent or legitimate interest
Marketing: Consent required

Types of Cookies We Use

1. Strictly Necessary Cookies

Purpose: Essential website functionality
Legal Basis: Necessary for service provision
Consent Required: No
Retention: Session or up to 1 year

Examples:

WordPress.com security cookies
Session management cookies
Load balancing cookies
CSRF protection tokens

2. Performance/Analytics Cookies

Purpose: Understand website usage
Legal Basis: Legitimate interest/Consent
Consent Required: Yes (GDPR), Varies (other jurisdictions)
Retention: Up to 26 months

Examples:

Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _gid, _gat)
WordPress.com Stats cookies
Heatmap and user session recording

3. Functionality Cookies

Purpose: Enhanced user experience
Legal Basis: Legitimate interest/Consent
Consent Required: Yes
Retention: Up to 2 years

Examples:

Comment form data retention
Language preferences
Theme/display preferences
Remember me functionality

4. Advertising Cookies (Future)

Purpose: Targeted advertising
Legal Basis: Consent
Consent Required: Yes
Retention: Up to 2 years

Future implementations:

Google AdSense cookies (IDE, DSID, FLC)
WordPress WordAds cookies
Frequency capping cookies
Conversion tracking pixels

Third-Party Cookies

Current Third Parties

WordPress.com (Automattic)

Cookies: Various functionality and analytics cookies
Purpose: Hosting, security, basic analytics
Policy: Automattic Cookie Policy

Google Analytics

Cookies: _ga, _gid, gat_gtag*
Purpose: Website analytics and reporting
Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out
Policy: Google Privacy Policy

Akismet (Spam Protection)

Cookies: Akismet comment cookies
Purpose: Spam detection and prevention
Policy: Automattic Privacy Policy

Future Third Parties

Google AdSense

Purpose: Display advertising
Privacy Controls: Google Ad Settings

Social Media Plugins If we add social sharing buttons, they may set cookies from:

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

International Cookie Requirements

European Union (GDPR + ePrivacy)

Consent required: For all non-essential cookies
Pre-ticked boxes: Not allowed
Granular consent: Required for different cookie categories
Withdrawal: Must be as easy as giving consent

United Kingdom

ICO Guidelines: Similar to EU requirements
Essential cookies: No consent needed
Implied consent: Not sufficient for non-essential cookies

California (CCPA)

Cookie disclosure: Required in privacy policy
Do Not Track: Must disclose if honored
Third-party cookies: Must disclose sharing

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

Cookie Consent Management

We provide a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

Accept all cookies
Reject non-essential cookies
Customize preferences by category
Access detailed information about each cookie

Browser Settings

Chrome:

Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
Choose your preferred cookie settings

Firefox:

Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Manage cookie exceptions and settings

Safari:

Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
Configure cookie blocking preferences

Edge:

Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies
Adjust cookie settings

Global Opt-Out Tools

Industry Opt-Outs:

Browser-Based:

Do Not Track signals
Global Privacy Control
Ad blocker extensions

Mobile Device Settings

iOS: Settings → Privacy → Tracking
Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads

Cookie Details Table

Cookie Name	Provider	Category	Purpose	Duration	Legal Basis
wordpress_*	WordPress.com	Necessary	Authentication	Session	Necessary
_ga	Google	Analytics	User identification	2 years	Consent/LI
_gid	Google	Analytics	User identification	24 hours	Consent/LI
comment_*	WordPress	Functional	Comment form data	347 days	Consent
[Future AdSense cookies]	Google	Marketing	Ad targeting	Up to 2 years	Consent

Impact of Rejecting Cookies

Essential Cookies Only

Basic website functionality maintained
No personalized experience
Limited analytics data
Potential security risks

All Cookies Rejected

Some features may not work
Repeated consent requests
No personalization
Basic functionality only

Data Processing and Transfers

Cookie Data Processing

Cookie data may be processed by:

Us (blog operators)
WordPress.com (hosting provider)
Google (analytics provider)
Future advertising partners

International Transfers

Cookie data may be transferred to:

United States: Google, WordPress.com
European Union: Various service providers
Other countries: As disclosed in privacy policy

Transfer safeguards include:

Adequacy decisions
Standard Contractual Clauses
Binding Corporate Rules

Your Cookie Rights

Under GDPR

Right to withdraw consent: At any time
Right to be informed: About cookie processing
Right of access: To cookie data
Right to erasure: Delete cookie data
Right to object: To cookie processing

Under CCPA

Right to know: What cookie data is collected
Right to delete: Cookie data
Right to opt-out: Of cookie-based tracking

Consent Management

Valid Consent Requirements (GDPR)

Freely given: Real choice and control
Specific: Clear about purposes
Informed: Understand what you’re consenting to
Unambiguous: Clear affirmative action
Withdrawable: Easy to withdraw consent

Children’s Consent

Under 16: Parental consent required (EU)
Under 13: COPPA compliance (US)
Age verification: Where required by law

Updates to Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy when:

We implement new cookies or technologies
Legal requirements change
Third-party services change their practices

Notification Process

Material changes: Consent re-request
Minor updates: Website notice
New cookie categories: New consent request

Contact Information

Cookie-Related Inquiries

Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Cookie Policy Inquiry

Technical Issues

If you experience issues with our cookie consent system or have questions about specific cookies, please contact us with:

Your browser type and version
Device information
Specific cookie names or issues

Complaints

EU Residents: Contact your local data protection authority
UK Residents: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Other Jurisdictions: Relevant privacy regulator.