Privacy Policy
Datenschutzerklärung
Impressum
Alex Ames (That’s „Me“ or „I“) is a novelist and singer-songwriter. In order to promote my works and communicate and interact with readers like you, I use various platforms and services that support me in this endeavor.
This policy helps you understand what information I collect, why I collect it and what your rights are in all of this. By using my website, you confirm that you consent to the processing of the data collected about you by the various service providers in the manner described below.
What of your personal data do I collect for myself?
Except for email messages or private social media conversations that might be transferred to my personal devices like PC, tablet or phone mail clients, I do not store or collect anything else. From my website analytics service, I receive high level reports that do not give me your identity. Yes, depending on the analytics service I might receive your IP-Address, but personally I am unable to draw conclusions to your identity from it.
In case you contact me via social media channels, I do see your social identity and whatever you decided to disclose to other people in your privacy settings. However, the services that I signed up to have their own policies to collect and store data, that might have nothing to do with me directly.
What do I use this data for?
Email and private messages are probably pretty self explanatory - you and I are in a private conversation about whatever topic. The other data collected by the listed service providers, I do not have direct access to. I benefit from the collections of IP address because I will be able to see detailed website analytics that help me to understand my audience demographics better. That's it from my side. No further data collection happens on my end.
What are the services associated with this website and my connected social media channels that might collect and store your personal data or affect your privacy?
Website www.alexames.net– my primary homepage, hosted by the provider Squarespace. I have only limited influence over the workings and data storage, as Squarespace offers template-based websites. I only add the content, but layout and inner workings remain fully with Squarespace and their platform. My webpage itself does neither offer personalization features nor commenting of blogposts. If you want to interact with me, then please contact me via the social media channels or email. Therefore I do not store your data on my website. However I use Squarespace Analytics and Google Analytics for web traffic analysis with the purpose to understand my readership better. Both services will be described in detail further below.
My Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ames.virtually and my Instagram account www.instagram.com/ames.virtually– I use Facebook and Instagram (both services by Meta) to interact with my readers and fans. That relationship is solely between you and Facebook. The posts will be seen whomever you decide to show them, depending on your personal settings. Personal messages that I receive from you through Facebook Messenger, are deleted from my message inbox on a regular basis (usually once a year).
Squarespace Analytics — This website uses Squarespace Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Squarespace, Inc. ("Squarespace"), the hoster of my website. This service collects a range of information that includes your IP address, type and version of browser, language settings and visit specific data like time and geo-location (derived by measures unknown to me). Squarespace Analytics uses so-called "cookies", text files that are stored on your computer and that allow an analysis of your use of the website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website (including your IP address) is transmitted to and stored by a server of Squarespace in the USA. Squarespace will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators, and providing other services related to website activity and internet usage. Squarespace will also transfer this information to third parties if required by law or as far as third parties process this data on behalf of Squarespace. Squarespace will in no case associate your IP address with other Squarespace data.
What privacy policies apply for the services listed above?
Please refer to the individual policies of the providers to learn how your data is protected and how it might be further used outside of the Alex Ames related interactions.
Squarespace: https://www.squarespace.com/privacy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privacy/
Google: https://policies.google.com/
Where is your data stored?
Your data will be stored at the various providers listed above. Emails might be transferred to and stored on my personal devices through my personal mail client. Facebook and Instragram data are stored on my various client devices within the Apps.
EU citizens: your data may be transferred outside of the European Economic Area, including the USA where the Squarespace, Twitter or Facebook companies reside. Please refer to the data privacy policies of the individual providers listed above to learn in detail where your data might be stored.
What about Cookies?
Cookies are little text files that the webserver can place on your PC, tablet or phone that store little pieces of data. I do not directly use Cookies or other tracking and data storage mechanisms nor can I influence their content nor do I know the Cookie content of Squarespace, Facebook, Twitter or Google services. The individual company's cookie policy applies (see privacy statements above). You can prevent the installation of cookies by adjusting your browser settings accordingly. However, please be aware that in this case you may not be able to fully use all the features of the services.
How long do I store your personal data?
Your personal data that come into my control and are business related (via Emails, personal messages on social media) are kept for taxation reasons for 10 + 1 years. Regular personal interaction, fan-letters and promotional mails and messages I purge on a yearly basis.
How can I excise my data protection rights?
Depending on your citizenship, you have various rights around your personal data. This might include, but is not limited to:
the right to be informed about the data I store about you
the right to have your data corrected
the right to have your data transferred
the right to revoke personal data related permissions and consents
the right to delete this data.
To excise these, please let me know and I'll comply within the legal applicable timeframe.. If you have any questions regarding this policy or want to exercise your data protection rights, please contact me at alex.ames.writing at gmail.com
Alex Ames, December 2023
IMPRESSUM:
Verantwortlich für diese Seite ist Alex AMES, Kastenseestraße 55, 81547 München