Privacy Policy
Privacy notice
DarkOptimism.org is owned and run by Shaun Chamberlin. That’s me, hi!
As you may know, I am deeply concerned about surveillance capitalism and its effects on our world and our futures. As such, I am naturally committed to maintaining the privacy and trust of those following my work. Below you’ll find information on how my site treats data from those visiting, or from those who subscribe to my newsletters.
Visitors to our website
The darkoptimism.org website (including survivingthefuture.darkoptimism.org) is built using WordPress.org, open source software which as part of its operation collects standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. This allows me and the small team who support me to observe the number of visitors to the various parts of the site.
This information is only processed in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make — and do not allow WordPress to make — any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website. Nor do we use any third-party data collection service, such as Google Analytics or Piwik.
We do use Umami Analytics, which is a privacy-focused website analytics platform that allows us to analyse that anonymous data — without collecting personal data or using cookies — to see which pages are popular etc. I believe our visitors would be ok with that (though let me know if not). Beyond knowing that someone was here, I have no desire to impinge on your privacy. Your data is yours and I don’t want it.
You’ll notice I didn’t set this site up on Substack, Medium, or Wix, or a flashy hosting service that makes it “easy” to blog and subscribe. That’s because I don’t agree with their business models and don’t want them to have access to my data or yours.
Newsletter sign up
During sign up for my newsletters we collect a name and email address. We use that personal information only to send you the newsletters that you’ve asked for; I will never rent or trade or sell this data. The only other (exceptional) use would be to contact you directly about some critical issue. This has never happened since I set this site up in 2005.
I recommend signing up with an alias that redirects to your preferred inbox. The email services offered by Mozilla or DuckDuckGo live in your browser and make this easy. If my mailing list contains nothing but mozmail and duck.com addresses, I’ll be happy — this keeps control of your data with you, where it belongs!
We do use a third party provider, MailChimp, to deliver our newsletter. MailChimp gathers statistics around email opening and clicks using industry standard technologies to help us monitor and improve our e-newsletter. For more information, please see MailChimp’s privacy notice.
You can unsubscribe at any time of the day or night by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any of our emails or by emailing us.
GDPR and legitimate interest
We have chosen to maintain our existing occasional e-mailing list under GDPR on the grounds of legitimate interest, because:
- It is in the legitimate interests of our subscribers to keep them informed and up-to-date about the work we are doing
- Subscribers have already given consent to receive our e-newsletters
- All our e-newsletters contain an unsubscribe link
Access to your personal information
You are entitled to access the personal information that we hold (i.e. the name and email address you submitted, if you are a subscriber to our mailing list). If you would like to do so, email us.
Links to other websites
This privacy notice does not cover the links within this site linking to other websites. Those sites are not governed by this Privacy Policy, and if you have questions about how a site uses your information, you’ll need to check that site’s privacy statement.
What is a cookie?
Cookies are text files containing small amounts of information which are downloaded to your personal computer, mobile or other device when you visit a website. Cookies are then sent back to the originating website on each subsequent visit, or to another website that recognises that cookie. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user’s device.
How long are cookies stored for?
Persistent cookies – these cookies remain on a user’s device for the period of time specified in the cookie. They are activated each time that the user visits the website that created that particular cookie.
Session cookies – these cookies allow website operators to link the actions of a user during a browser session. A browser session starts when a user opens the browser window and finishes when they close the browser window. Session cookies are created temporarily. Once you close the browser, all session cookies are deleted.
Cookies do lots of different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, and generally improve the user experience.
You can find more information about cookies at www.allaboutcookies.org and www.youronlinechoices.eu
Cookies used on this website
A list of the types of cookies used on the website is set out below:
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies enable services you have specifically asked for. These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the website.
Performance cookies
These cookies collect anonymous information on the pages visited. By using the website, you agree that WordPress can place these types of cookies on your device.
These cookies collect information about how visitors use the website, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. These cookies don’t collect information that identifies a visitor. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.
Functionality cookies
These cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience. By using the website, you agree that WordPress can place these types of cookies on your device.
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies might be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
Third party cookies
These cookies allow third parties to track the success of their application or customise the application for you. Because of how cookies work we cannot access these cookies, nor can the third parties access the data in cookies used on our site.
For example, if you choose to ‘share’ content through Twitter or other social networks you might be sent cookies from these websites. We can’t control the setting of these cookies, so please check those websites for more information about their cookies and how to manage them.
More secure web use — a few tips!
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably as supportive of web security and privacy as we are.
If you’d like to know more about keeping your data yours in this age of government and corporate intrusion, we highly commend the straightforward advice given at:
https://riseup.net/en/better-web-browsing
Or for a free 30 day guided process of shutting out corporate surveillance capitalism and reclaiming control over your data, see the exceptional Cyber Cleanse:
https://www.optoutproject.net/the-cyber-cleanse-take-back-your-digital-footprint