Privacy Policy
Last Updated: December 28, 2025
StackAuthority is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
When you contact us through our contact form, we collect your name so we can address you appropriately in our response. We need your email address to reply to your inquiry. We collect the content of your message and the subject line to understand what you're asking about and provide relevant answers.
We only collect information you voluntarily provide. We don't require registration to read our content, and we don't collect personal information unless you initiate contact with us.
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information to operate the site and understand how it's being used.
We collect your IP address to understand geographic traffic patterns and detect potential security issues. IP addresses help us identify suspicious activity like automated scraping or coordinated attacks.
We collect browser type and version to ensure our site works correctly across different browsers. If we notice rendering issues in specific browsers, this data helps us prioritize fixes.
We track pages visited and time spent to understand which content is most valuable. If users spend significant time on methodology articles, that signals demand for more detailed framework content. If users bounce quickly from certain pages, that indicates content needs improvement.
We record referring websites to understand how users discover our content. This helps us identify which distribution channels work and which partnerships or mentions drive relevant traffic.
We collect device and operating system information to optimize for mobile and desktop experiences. If most users access rankings on mobile, we prioritize mobile-responsive design.
How We Use Your Information
Communication
We use your contact information to respond to inquiries submitted through our contact form. If you ask about vendor rankings, request corrections, or have questions about our methodology, we need your email to reply.
We address questions about our methodology or research using the details you provide. Understanding the context of your inquiry helps us give relevant, specific answers rather than generic responses.
We process error reports or corrections by reviewing the information you submit. If you identify a factual error in one of our rankings, we need enough detail to investigate and verify the correction.
Website Operation
We use analytics data to improve site performance and user experience. If we see slow page load times for certain articles, we optimize images or code. If users struggle to find methodology documentation, we improve navigation.
We analyze how visitors use our content to understand what's valuable. High engagement with framework articles tells us to publish more buyer guides. Low engagement with certain ranking categories suggests weak market fit or poor execution.
We use technical data to detect and prevent issues. Server logs help us identify broken links, failed page loads, or compatibility problems before users report them.
We monitor for security threats using IP addresses and access patterns. Unusual traffic spikes, automated requests, or suspicious behavior patterns trigger investigation.
Content Improvement
We analyze which research topics generate the most interest. If articles on LLM security get 10x the traffic of enterprise CRM rankings, that indicates where to focus research effort.
We identify content gaps by seeing what users search for but don't find. Search terms that return no results indicate categories we should cover.
We improve ranking methodologies based on how users engage with different sections. If everyone skips our technical depth scoring but carefully reads limitations, we adjust what we emphasize.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We Do Not Sell Your Data
StackAuthority does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.
Service Providers
We may share data with trusted service providers who assist in operating our website.
We work with web hosting providers who store and serve our site content. These providers have access to server logs, IP addresses, and technical data necessary to keep the site running. They're bound by service agreements that restrict how they can use this data.
We work with email service providers to send responses to contact form submissions. When you email us, your message and email address are processed through email infrastructure we don't directly control. These providers are contractually prohibited from using your data for marketing or other purposes.
We work with analytics platforms to understand site usage. These platforms track page views, session duration, and navigation patterns. They collect this data on our behalf and are required to protect it according to their privacy policies and our service agreements.
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required by law or to protect legitimate interests.
We disclose information to comply with legal processes when we receive valid subpoenas, court orders, or other legally binding requests. We review these requests to ensure they're legitimate before disclosing data.
We disclose information to respond to government requests when legally required. This includes law enforcement investigations, regulatory inquiries, or national security demands. We only provide information when legally obligated.
We disclose information to protect our rights and property. If someone is scraping our site, attempting unauthorized access, or violating our terms of service in ways that threaten our operations, we may share relevant data with legal counsel or authorities.
We disclose information to ensure user safety. If we receive credible threats, evidence of illegal activity, or situations where someone's physical safety is at risk, we may share information with law enforcement or other appropriate authorities.
Cookies and Tracking
Essential Cookies
We use essential cookies required for basic site operation.
We use cookies for site functionality to remember your preferences and maintain your session as you navigate between pages. Without these cookies, certain features wouldn't work correctly.
We use cookies for security to detect and prevent automated attacks, identify suspicious login attempts, and protect against cross-site request forgery. These cookies help us distinguish legitimate users from bots.
We use cookies for basic analytics to understand which pages get visited, how long users spend reading content, and which articles generate the most interest. This helps us improve content quality and site structure.
Analytics
We use analytics tools to understand site usage. These tools may use cookies to track visitor behavior.
We track page views to understand which content gets read most frequently. High page view counts on methodology articles suggest users want to understand our evaluation process. Low page views on certain ranking categories indicate weak market fit.
We track session duration to measure engagement depth. If users spend fifteen minutes reading a framework article, that signals valuable content. If they bounce after ten seconds, we need to improve the hook or target audience fit.
We track navigation patterns to understand how users move through the site. Do they read methodology before viewing rankings? Do they jump between vendor comparisons? These patterns inform site structure and internal linking.
We track referral sources to understand how users discover our content. Traffic from Hacker News has different expectations than traffic from LinkedIn. Knowing the source helps us optimize content for each audience.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect site functionality.
Data Retention
We retain your information only as long as necessary for legitimate operational purposes.
Contact form submissions are retained for 2 years or until you request deletion. This allows us to reference past conversations if you follow up on previous inquiries, track correction requests we've addressed, or respond to questions about our methodology that may take time to resolve.
Analytics data is aggregated and anonymized for up to 3 years. Long-term trend analysis helps us understand how content consumption patterns evolve, which categories gain or lose relevance, and where to focus research effort. Once aggregated, this data can't be traced back to individual visitors.
Server logs are retained for 90 days. We use these for security monitoring, troubleshooting technical issues, and identifying suspicious activity patterns. After 90 days, logs are automatically deleted unless they're part of an active security investigation.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Access Your Data
Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Correct Your Data
Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information.
Delete Your Data
Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and operational requirements.
Object to Processing
Object to specific uses of your data, such as analytics tracking.
Data Portability
Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
To exercise these rights, contact us at: help@stackauthority.io
Security
We implement reasonable security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction.
We use HTTPS encryption for all site traffic. Every page load, form submission, and data transmission is encrypted in transit. This prevents third parties from intercepting your communications with our site.
We maintain secure data storage with access controls. Data is stored on infrastructure with industry-standard security configurations. Access is limited to authorized personnel who need it for specific operational purposes.
We conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities before they're exploited. This includes reviewing code for security issues, monitoring for unusual access patterns, and testing authentication and authorization controls.
We enforce employee data access restrictions. Team members only access user data when necessary to respond to support requests, investigate security incidents, or troubleshoot technical problems. We log all data access for accountability.
However, no internet transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
Third-Party Links
Our site may contain links to vendor websites, documentation, and other external resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites.
We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.
Children's Privacy
StackAuthority does not knowingly collect information from individuals under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, contact us immediately for deletion.
International Users
StackAuthority is based in the United States. If you access our site from outside the US, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the US.
By using our site, you consent to this transfer and acknowledge that US privacy laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date.
Significant changes will be communicated through a notice on our homepage or via email if we have your contact information.
Contact Us
For privacy-related questions or requests, contact:
This privacy policy was last updated on December 28, 2025. We are committed to transparency and protecting your privacy.