Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 24, 2026
 
WHO WE ARE
This privacy policy applies to marywhittenwarner.com (the "Site"), operated by Mary Whitten Warner ("I," "me," "my"). If you have questions about this policy or how your information is handled, you can reach me at hello@marywhittenwarner.com.
 
I'm a designer and brand strategist based in North Carolina, USA. This Site shares my portfolio, writing, and occasionally recommended products through affiliate links.
 
 
INFORMATION I COLLECT
When you visit this Site, I may collect the following:

• Information you give me directly: Your name, email address, and any message content if you contact me through a form, subscribe to a newsletter, or purchase a digital product.

• Information collected automatically: Your IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, the pages you visit, time spent on the Site, and the website that referred you. This is collected through Google Analytics and standard server logs.

• Information from cookies and tracking technologies: See the "Cookies and tracking" section below.

 
I do not intentionally collect any of the following:

• Special category personal data (race, religion, health, sexual orientation, political views, biometric data, etc.)

• Information from children under 16

• Payment card information (any purchases are processed by third-party providers like Stripe or Gumroad, which handle their own data collection)

HOW I USE YOUR INFORMATION
I use the information described above to:

• Operate and improve the Site

• Respond to your inquiries

• Send newsletters or updates if you've subscribed (you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email)Fulfill orders for any digital products you purchase

• Understand how visitors use the Site so I can make it better

• Detect and prevent fraud or abuse

• Comply with legal obligations

I do not sell your personal information. I do not share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
 
 
COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
This Site uses cookies and similar technologies to function properly and to understand how the Site is used. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.
 
Types of cookies used:

• Essential cookies: Required for basic Site functionality (e.g., remembering your cookie preferences, keeping you logged in to any member-only area).

• Analytics cookies: Google Analytics tracks anonymous usage data so I can understand which pages are popular and how visitors navigate the Site.

• Affiliate tracking cookies: When you click an affiliate link on this Site, the affiliate network (Rakuten Advertising / impact.com, Awin, Bookshop.org, Saatchi Art, or others I may add) places a cookie on your device. This allows the network to attribute any resulting purchase to me so I can earn a commission. These cookies typically expire 24 hours to 90 days after the click. They do not contain personally identifiable information.

• Social media cookies: If I embed Pinterest, Instagram, or other social content, those platforms may set their own cookies.

 
Your choices:

• You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may break Site functionality.

• A cookie consent banner is displayed on your first visit. You can change your preferences any time by clicking the "Cookie Preferences" link in the footer.

THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
I use the following third-party services that may collect or process your information. Each operates under its own privacy policy.

• Wix — Site hosting — wix.com/about/privacy

• Google Analytics — Anonymous traffic analytics — policies.google.com/privacy

• Rakuten Advertising / impact.com — Affiliate link tracking — rakutenadvertising.com/legal-notices/services-privacy-policy

• Awin — Affiliate link tracking — awin.com/gb/legal/privacy-policy

• Bookshop.org — Book affiliate tracking — bookshop.org/info/privacy-policy

• Saatchi Art — Art affiliate tracking — saatchiart.com/privacy

• Pinterest — Social embed / pin sharing — policy.pinterest.com/en/privacy-policy

• Instagram (Meta) — Social embed — privacycenter.instagram.com/policy

• Usercentrics — Cookie consent management — usercentrics.com/privacy-policy

 
I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. Please review their privacy policies for details.
 
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
This Site contains affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I genuinely admire or use myself.
 
This disclosure complies with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
 
Affiliate relationships do not influence my editorial decisions. Where a piece of content is sponsored (separate from affiliate links), it will be clearly marked as such.
 
 
HOW I SHARE YOUR INFORMATION
I share your information only in the following limited cases:

• With service providers that help me operate the Site (Wix for hosting, Google for analytics, Stripe/Gumroad for payments, etc.) — only the minimum information needed for their service.

• ​With affiliate networks when you click an affiliate link, as described above.
  When legally required — for example, in response to a court order, subpoena, government request, or to enforce my legal rights.

• In the event of a business transfer — if I ever sell or transfer the Site, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. You'll be notified before this happens.

 
 
YOUR RIGHTS
Depending on where you live, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the information I hold about you.

• Correction: Ask me to correct inaccurate information.

• Deletion: Ask me to delete your information (subject to legal retention requirements).

• Objection: Object to certain types of processing (such as marketing emails).

• Portability: Request your information in a portable format.

• Restriction: Ask me to limit how your information is processed.
   

Withdraw consent: If processing is based on your consent, you can withdraw it at any time.
 
To exercise any of these rights: Email me at hello@marywhittenwarner.com. I'll respond within 30 days.
 
EU/UK visitors: Under GDPR, you have additional rights including the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
 
California visitors: Under the CCPA/CPRA, you have additional rights including the right to opt out of any sale or sharing of personal information (I don't sell or share for behavioral advertising, but you can confirm by emailing me).
 
 
DATA SECURITY
I take reasonable steps to protect your information using industry-standard practices (encrypted connections, secure third-party providers, limited access). No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, so I can't guarantee absolute security — but I do my honest best.
 
 
DATA RETENTION
I keep your information only as long as needed to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. Email subscribers' information is retained until you unsubscribe. Inquiry-form messages are retained for up to 2 years for reference. Analytics data is retained per Google Analytics' default retention settings (14 months unless I change it).
 
 
CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
This Site is not directed at children under 16. I do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 16. If you believe a child has provided me with personal information, please contact me at hello@marywhittenwarner.com and I'll delete it.
 
 
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
This Site is hosted and operated in the United States. If you're visiting from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to and processed in the U.S. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer.
 
 
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
I may update this policy from time to time. When I do, I'll change the "Last updated" date at the top. For significant changes, I'll post a notice on the Site or email you (if I have your email).
 
 
CONTACT
Questions, requests, or concerns about this policy?
 
Email: hello@marywhittenwarner.com