Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 11, 2026

This policy explains what information Cooped Up Life collects when you visit coopeduplife.com, why, who else receives it, and what you can ask us to do with it. The short version: there are no ads, no analytics trackers and no email list on this site, and we never sell your personal information.

Who we are

Cooped Up Life (“we”, “us”) is a personal blog written by Michelle B. and based in Georgia, USA. You can reach us at [email protected] or through our contact page.

Information we collect

When you leave a comment

We collect what you type into the comment form (name, email address, optional website and your comment), plus your IP address and browser details to help stop spam. Your email address is never shown publicly. A scrambled version of your email (a hash) may be sent to the Gravatar service, run by Automattic, to check whether you have a profile picture. If you do, it appears next to your approved comment. Gravatar’s privacy policy is at automattic.com/privacy.

When you use the contact form

We collect only what you enter (usually your name, email address and message). The form sends it to our email inbox, which is hosted by Google. We use it only to reply to you, and we delete it once your question is handled unless we need to keep it to follow up.

When you simply browse

Like nearly every website, our web host (Bluehost) and our security software (Wordfence) automatically record technical details of each visit: IP address, browser type, the pages requested and the time. This is used to keep the site running and to block hacking attempts. We do not use Google Analytics or any other analytics or advertising tracker.

Cookies

Cookie notice: remembers whether you clicked Accept or Decline on our cookie banner.
Comment cookies: if you tick the box when commenting, your name, email and website are saved in your browser for one year so you do not have to retype them.
Security cookies: Wordfence may set cookies that help tell real visitors from bots.
Login cookies: only for the people who run the site.
Third-party cookies: YouTube, Amazon and other sites may set their own cookies when you play an embedded video or click a link to them (see below).

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. The site still works without them, though you will need to retype your details when commenting.

Other companies that receive some information

Google Fonts: our typefaces load from Google’s servers, which receive your IP address and browser details when a page loads.
YouTube (Google): some posts include our videos. Until you press play, only a preview image loads from YouTube. Once you play a video, YouTube’s own privacy policy applies.
Gravatar (Automattic): profile pictures on comments, as described above.
Amazon and other shops: a few posts link to products. These are plain links; if you click one, that shop’s own privacy policy and cookies apply.
Bluehost and Wordfence: hosting and security, as described above.
Social networks: links to our YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and X pages are plain links. Those sites only receive information if you click through.

We do not sell your personal information, share it for targeted advertising, or license it to anyone, including companies that train AI models. If we ever add advertising, analytics or a newsletter, we will update this policy before we do.

Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track

Because we do not sell personal information or track visitors across other websites, there is nothing for these browser signals to switch off here. We treat a Global Privacy Control signal as a valid request to opt out of any future sale or sharing.

How long we keep information

Comments: kept for as long as the post is online, so follow-up comments can be recognized. Ask us and we will delete yours.
Contact messages: deleted once the conversation is finished.
Server and security logs: kept for a limited period set by our host and security software, then deleted automatically.

Your choices and rights

Wherever you live, you can ask us to:

tell you what personal information we hold about you and give you a copy;
correct information that is wrong;
delete your information, including your comments;
not sell or share your information (we already do not).

Email [email protected] with your request and the email address you used on the site. We will reply within 45 days. If we turn down a request, we will explain why, and you can appeal by replying to that email. We will never treat you differently for asking. Privacy laws such as Georgia’s Consumer Privacy Protection Act and those of other states give these rights to residents when they apply to a business; we offer them to everyone either way.

Children

This site is written for adults and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has sent us information, email us and we will delete it.

Keeping information safe

The site uses encrypted connections (HTTPS), security software and regular backups, and we keep as little personal information as we can. No website is perfectly secure. If a breach ever affects your personal information, we will notify you as required by Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-910 et seq.) and any other law that applies.