01
Information We Collect
Plain termsWe collect what you hand us (email, messages, comments) and standard, mostly anonymous usage data through cookies and analytics.
1.1 Information you provide directly
- Newsletter subscriptions. When you subscribe to The WillStreet Report via Beehiiv, we collect your email address and any optional information you provide, such as your name.
- Contact form submissions. When you use our WPForms contact form, we collect your name, email address, and the content of your message.
- Comments. If you leave comments on our website, we collect your name, email address, and comment content.
1.2 Information collected automatically
When you visit willstreet.ca, certain information is collected automatically through cookies and tracking technologies, including:
- Log data. IP address, browser type and version, pages visited, time and date of visit, time spent on pages, and referring URLs.
- Device information. Device type, operating system, and unique device identifiers.
- Analytics data. User behaviour patterns, traffic sources, and engagement metrics collected through Google Analytics.
- Cookie data. Information stored in cookies placed on your device. See Section 4 for full details.
1.3 Information from third parties
We may receive information about you from third-party services including Google Analytics (website traffic and behaviour analysis), Google Search Console (search performance data), Beehiiv (newsletter platform analytics), and affiliate networks including Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, and others.
02
How We Use Your Information
Plain termsTo send the newsletter you asked for, answer your messages, and understand which articles land. Nothing gets sold.
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To deliver our newsletter. Sending The WillStreet Report and related communications to subscribers who have explicitly opted in.
- To respond to inquiries. Replying to messages submitted through our contact form.
- To improve our content. Analyzing how visitors interact with our site to improve article quality, site structure, and user experience.
- To monitor and analyze usage. Understanding which content resonates with our audience through Google Analytics data.
- To comply with legal obligations. Retaining records as required by applicable Canadian law.
- To prevent fraud and abuse. Detecting and addressing technical issues, spam, and security threats.
- To show relevant advertising. If and when Google AdSense display advertising is implemented, Google uses data to serve relevant ads to visitors.
We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We do not share your email list with sponsors, advertisers, or any third parties.
03
Legal Basis for Processing
Plain termsIn Canada we act on your consent under PIPEDA and CASL. In the EU we rely on consent, legitimate interest, or legal obligation.
3.1 Canadian residents (PIPEDA and CASL)
Under PIPEDA, we collect and use personal information only with your knowledge and consent, or where permitted by law. Under CASL, we send commercial electronic messages only to individuals who have provided express or implied consent. Every newsletter and promotional email we send includes a clear and easy unsubscribe mechanism. Unsubscribe requests are processed within 10 business days as required by CASL.
3.2 European Union residents (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, our legal bases for processing your personal data include:
- Consent. Where you have given clear consent, for example a newsletter subscription.
- Legitimate interests. Where processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests and does not override your rights.
- Legal obligation. Where processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation.
04
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Plain termsSome cookies keep the site working, some measure traffic, some track affiliate referrals. You can refuse or delete them in your browser.
4.1 What are cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function properly, remember your preferences, and provide analytical information to site owners.
4.2 Types of cookies we use
Essential
Required for the website to function. These cannot be disabled. They include WordPress session cookies and security cookies.
Analytics · Google
Google Analytics tells us how often you visit, what pages you view, and what site you came from. It collects only the IP address assigned on your visit date, not your name, and we never combine it with identifying information.
Advertising · future
We may use Google AdSense to display ads. AdSense uses cookies to serve ads based on prior visits. You may opt out of personalized advertising via Google Ads Settings.
Affiliate tracking
When you click an affiliate link, the network (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact) may set a cookie to attribute a resulting purchase. It collects nothing personally identifying beyond what the referral needs.
4.3 Managing cookies
You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies, though disabling them may affect site functionality. For more information, visit allaboutcookies.org.
05
Affiliate Disclosure and Third-Party Links
Plain termsWe earn commissions on some links at no extra cost to you. It never changes our reviews or scores.
WillStreet participates in affiliate marketing programs. This means we may earn a commission when you click certain links and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial content or reviews. We only recommend products and services we believe provide genuine value to our readers.
Our site may contain links to third-party websites, products, and services. These third-party sites have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their content, privacy practices, or data handling. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit.
06
Newsletter and Email Communications
Plain termsThe WillStreet Report runs on Beehiiv. Every email has an unsubscribe link. Sponsors never see your address.
Our newsletter, The WillStreet Report, is managed through Beehiiv. By subscribing, you consent to receive regular email communications from WillStreet. Each email includes an unsubscribe link, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
Beehiiv, as our email service provider, may collect and process data in accordance with their own privacy policy, available at beehiiv.com/privacy.
We will never share, sell, or rent your email address or subscriber data to any third party, including sponsors and advertisers. Sponsors may pay to be featured in our newsletter, but they receive no access to our subscriber list.
07
Data Retention
Plain termsWe keep data only as long as it serves a purpose, then delete it. Specifics below.
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected:
Newsletter subscriber datadeleted within 30 days of unsubscribe on request
Contact form submissionsup to 12 months
Analytics dataGoogle default, up to 26 months
Comment datawhile comment stays published
08
Data Security
Plain termsWe use SSL encryption and limited access to protect your data, though no system online is ever 100% secure.
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include SSL/TLS encryption on our website, secure password practices, and limited access to personal data.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is fully secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
09
Your Rights and Choices
Plain termsYou can access, correct, or delete your data, and withdraw consent at any time. Email us and we respond within 30 days.
9.1 Canadian residents
Under PIPEDA, you have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Withdraw consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information
- Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
9.2 European Union residents
Under GDPR, you have the right to access your personal data, rectify inaccurate data, request erasure (the "right to be forgotten"), restrict or object to processing, port your data, withdraw consent at any time, and lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at will@willstreet.ca. We will respond within 30 days.
10
Children's Privacy
WillStreet is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.
11
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify subscribers of material changes via email and update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
12
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or our privacy practices, please reach out. We are committed to resolving privacy complaints promptly and fairly.