Privacy Policy — The Pot Report Analytics & Data Handling
At The Pot Report, privacy is not an afterthought — it is a core principle of our publishing model. We believe readers deserve transparency about how their data is handled, especially in an era where surveillance advertising and invasive tracking have become the norm. This page explains our approach to analytics, data retention, your rights, and the tools available to you, including the Matomo opt‑out feature at the bottom of the page.
No Ads, No Data Sales
We do not run advertising networks, sell personal data, or share information with third parties for marketing purposes. Our site is designed to be ad‑free and reader‑focused. Any data collected is used solely to improve accessibility, editorial clarity, and the overall user experience.
Analytics with Privacy
We use Matomo Analytics, a privacy‑respecting tool hosted entirely on our own server. Unlike commercial trackers, Matomo does not profile individuals or build advertising dossiers. Instead, it collects anonymized usage statistics such as:
- Page views
- Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
- Approximate location (region, not exact address)
No personal identifiers such as names, emails, or full IP addresses are stored in identifiable form. All processing complies with GDPR, CCPA, and Australian privacy standards.
Scheduled Tasks (Cron Jobs)
Matomo relies on scheduled tasks (“cron jobs”) to generate reports and delete temporary data. Currently, these tasks run through WordPress’s built‑in scheduler (WP‑Cron). As traffic grows, we may migrate to server‑level cron jobs via cPanel for improved reliability. This ensures reports are generated consistently and temporary data is deleted on time.
Data Retention
Temporary data is automatically deleted after processing. Aggregated statistics are retained only as long as necessary for editorial analysis. If you wish to have any data linked to your activity removed, you may contact us directly.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Opt out of analytics tracking at any time
- Access, correct, or request deletion of any personal information we may hold
- Be notified if our analytics setup changes in a way that affects privacy
The Matomo Opt‑Out Checkbox
At the bottom of this page, you will find a Matomo opt‑out checkbox. This feature allows you to control whether your visits are included in our anonymized analytics.
- If the box is checked: You are opted in, meaning your visits are counted anonymously in site statistics.
- If the box is unchecked: You are opted out, meaning your visits are not recorded at all.
The opt‑out relies on a cookie stored in your browser. If you clear cookies, switch browsers, or use a different device, you will need to repeat the opt‑out process. This ensures your choice is respected but also means the setting is tied to each browsing environment.
Opting out protects your privacy further, but it also prevents us from learning how readers engage with our content. That feedback helps us improve accessibility and transparency. The choice is entirely yours.
Privacy at Matomo
Matomo Analytics rates highly among its peers for those prioritizing privacy, data ownership, and compliance while offering a robust suite of analytics tools on par with major alternatives like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, and Contentsquare. Its open-source model, unsampled data, and customizable deployment (cloud or self-hosted) makes Matomo a leading choice for privacy-conscious organizations, especially in regions with strict data compliance regulations.
Commitment to Transparency
We will always notify readers if our analytics setup changes in a way that affects privacy. Our goal is to maintain a publishing environment that is ethical, transparent, and respectful of your rights. Our commitment is simple: you will always know what is fact, what is satire, and how each piece was created.
Vous pouvez vous opposer au suivi de votre navigation sur ce site web. Cela protégera votre vie privée, mais empêchera également le propriétaire d'apprendre de vos actions et de créer une meilleure expérience pour vous et les autres utilisateurs.

