Privacy Policy
We take your privacy seriously. This page explains what data we collect, how we use it, and what rights you have as a visitor.
👤 1. Who We Are
SoftPilot (softpilot.org) is an independent software review and comparison publication founded in 2026. The site is operated by a solo editor and is not affiliated with any of the software companies, VPN providers, or security vendors featured in its content.
For any privacy-related matters, you can contact us at contact@softpilot.org.
📋 2. What Data We Collect
We collect data in two ways — directly from you and automatically through analytics tools.
| Data Type | Source | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| IP address (anonymised) | Google Analytics | Understand visitor geography |
| Browser & device type | Google Analytics | Improve site performance |
| Pages visited & time on site | Google Analytics | Understand content performance |
| Referral source | Google Analytics / BeMob | Measure traffic sources |
| Click tracking on affiliate links | BeMob | Affiliate performance tracking |
| Name & email (contact form) | WPForms (you provide) | Respond to your enquiry |
| Cookies | Your browser | See Cookie Policy |
We do not collect: payment information, government IDs, health data, or any sensitive personal categories.
⚙️ 3. How We Use Your Data
- To analyse site traffic and improve content quality
- To measure the performance of affiliate links and partnerships
- To respond to messages sent through the contact form
- To detect and prevent technical issues or abuse
- To comply with legal obligations
We do not use your data for unsolicited marketing, profiling, or automated decision-making.
🔗 4. Third-Party Services
SoftPilot uses — or may use — the following third-party services. Each may process data about your visit independently.
| Service | Category | Status | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Analytics | ✅ Active | policies.google.com |
| Google Search Console | SEO / Webmaster | ✅ Active | policies.google.com |
| BeMob | Affiliate Tracking | ✅ Active | bemob.com |
| WPForms | Contact Form | ✅ Active | wpforms.com |
| Google AdSense | Advertising | ⏳ Planned | policies.google.com |
| Facebook Pixel | Remarketing / Advertising | ⏳ Planned | facebook.com/policy |
| Microsoft Clarity | Heatmaps / Session Analytics | ⏳ Planned | microsoft.com/privacy |
| YouTube Embeds | Embedded Video | ⏳ Planned | policies.google.com |
| Email Marketing Platform | Newsletter (e.g. Mailchimp) | 🔜 Possible | To be confirmed |
| Push Notifications | Browser Notifications (e.g. OneSignal) | 🔜 Possible | To be confirmed |
| Additional Affiliate Networks | Affiliate Tracking (e.g. CJ, ShareASale) | 🔜 Possible | To be confirmed |
| CDN / Security Layer | Performance (e.g. Cloudflare) | ✅ Active | cloudflare.com/privacypolicy |
Each service listed has its own privacy policy and data handling practices. We encourage you to review them directly via the links above.
💼 5. Affiliate Link Tracking
Some links on SoftPilot are affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link, you may be redirected through our tracking platform (BeMob) before reaching the destination website. This allows us to measure click activity for commission purposes.
For full details on how we use affiliate links, see our Affiliate Disclosure.
🍪 6. Cookies
SoftPilot uses cookies to enable basic site functionality and to collect analytics data. For a full breakdown of the cookies we use and how to manage them, please read our Cookie Policy.
🗓️ 7. Data Retention
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Google Analytics data | 14 months (default retention setting) |
| BeMob click data | As per BeMob’s data retention policy |
| Contact form submissions | Up to 12 months, then deleted |
| Server logs (if any) | Up to 30 days |
After the applicable retention period, data is either deleted or anonymised so it can no longer be linked to any individual.
🇪🇺 8. Your Rights Under GDPR
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Request deletion of your personal data (“right to be forgotten”).
Request that we limit how we process your data in certain circumstances.
Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
To exercise any of these rights, submit a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) by emailing contact@softpilot.org with the subject line “DSAR Request”. We will respond within 30 days.
🇺🇸 9. Your Rights Under CCPA
If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants you the following rights:
- The right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
- The right to delete personal information we have collected from you
- The right to opt out of the sale of your personal information
- The right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights
To submit a CCPA request, email contact@softpilot.org with the subject line “CCPA Request”.
👶 10. Children’s Privacy
SoftPilot is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 16. If you believe a child under 16 has provided personal data through this site, please contact us immediately at contact@softpilot.org and we will delete it promptly.
🔄 11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
Continued use of SoftPilot after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Email us at contact@softpilot.org — include “Privacy” or “DSAR” in the subject line. We respond within 30 days.