Last updated: September 30, 2026
This policy explains what information Activated Thinker (activatedthinker.com, “we”, “us”) collects when you read, subscribe or create an account, why we collect it, and the choices you have. We keep it short and plain on purpose.
What we collect
- Newsletter: your email address and the date you subscribed, so we can send the Activated Thinker Sunday letter and new essays.
- Account: your first name, email address and an encrypted password, plus the essays you save and the Switches you mark as done, so your shelf works.
- Messages you send us: whatever you choose to include when you contact us.
- Technical data: like every website, our server records basic information such as your IP address, browser type and the pages you request, for security and to keep the site running.
Cookies and similar technologies
We use a small number of cookies that are necessary for the site to work (for example, to keep you signed in and to remember your cookie choices). With your consent where the law requires it, we may also use cookies for advertising. You can change your choices at any time through the privacy message shown on the site, and you can find more detail in our Cookie Policy.
Advertising (Google AdSense)
We may show ads served by Google AdSense. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to this site and/or other sites on the Internet. You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, and learn more about how Google uses data at How Google uses information from sites that use its services. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors’ use of cookies for personalised advertising at aboutads.info.
Services that help run the site
- Google Fonts: our typefaces load from Google’s servers, which receive your IP address to deliver them.
- Akismet: may check form submissions for spam.
- Email delivery: when we send newsletters, your email address is processed by the email service we use for sending.
Some links on the site are affiliate links. If you click one, the destination site may set its own cookies to record the referral. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
How we use your information
To send the emails you asked for, to run your account, to answer your messages, to keep the site secure, and to understand which essays are useful. We do not sell your personal information.
How long we keep it
We keep newsletter and account data until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete your account. Server logs are kept only as long as needed for security.
Your choices and rights
You can unsubscribe from any email with one click, change your email preferences on your shelf, or ask us to access, correct, export or delete your data. Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR in Europe or the CCPA in California) you may have additional rights, including the right to complain to your local data protection authority.
Children
This site is written for adults and is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect their information.
Changes and contact
If we change this policy we will update the date at the top. For any privacy question or request, reach us through our Contact page.