Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to PirateShipNames.com ("we," "our," or "us"). We operate the website located at https://pirateshipnames.com (the "Website"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring a transparent user experience. This Privacy Policy details how we collect, use, store, and share information when you visit and interact with our Website, particularly regarding Google AdSense advertising, third-party cookies, and browser local storage.

2. Who We Are

PirateShipNames.com is a free online naming resource and creative generation tool designed for writers, gamers, tabletop roleplayers, and general enthusiasts. We provide naming tools and blog content without requiring user registration or account creation.

3. Information We Collect

We do not require you to register or log in to use our Website. The only personal information we collect directly from you is the information you choose to provide when using our contact form. This includes:

• Your name (or alias) that you input.
• Your email address, to allow us to reply to your inquiry.
• The contents of your message, including any attachments or details you share.

4. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, certain non-personal information is collected automatically by our servers and third-party services. This information helps us analyze traffic patterns and maintain Website security. Automatically collected data includes:

• Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
• Browser type and browser version.
• Device type, operating system, and hardware details.
• Referring URLs (the page you visited immediately before arriving at our Website).
• Pages viewed on our Website, time spent on individual pages, and click paths.
• Timestamps, date markers, and internet service provider (ISP) details.

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We and our third-party partners use cookies to collect and store information. Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser. We use cookies to:

• Remember your interface settings and custom preferences.
• Enable advertising services to recognize your browser and serve relevant ads.
• Collect anonymous analytical data to monitor Website traffic.

You can configure your browser settings to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are sent. However, disabling cookies may cause some features of our Website to function incorrectly.

6. Local Storage and Saved Names

Our Website features a "Saved Names" utility allowing you to bookmark generated ship names for later retrieval. This functionality uses your browser's HTML5 local storage. All saved names are stored exclusively on your local device. We do not transmit, copy, or upload your saved names list to our servers or any third-party databases. Clearing your browser cache or deleting Website data will permanently erase your saved list.

7. Google AdSense Advertising

We display advertisements served by Google AdSense on our Website to monetize our services and keep them free for everyone. Google and its ad partners use cookies to serve personalized ads based on your visits to our Website and other websites on the internet.

DoubleClick Cookie: Google uses the DoubleClick cookie to serve ads based on your interest profile. This cookie tracks your browsing behavior across different websites to serve ads relevant to you.

Personalized vs. Non-Personalized Ads: For users in regions with legal protections (such as the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and certain US states), Google will serve non-personalized advertisements unless you provide active consent for personalized ads. Non-personalized ads do not use interest profiles but still utilize cookies for frequency capping, aggregated ad reporting, and combatting fraud.

Managing Ad Preferences: You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings. Alternatively, you can opt out of third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting aboutads.info.

8. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google LLC, to track and report Website traffic. Google Analytics collects anonymized tracking data regarding Website usage. The information generated by the tracking cookie about your use of the Website is transmitted to and stored by Google. Google uses this information to evaluate your use of our Website, compile reports on Website activity, and provide other services relating to Website activity.

9. Third-Party Services

We do not sell, trade, or transfer your personal information to outside parties. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our Website, hosting our servers, or conducting our business, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release information when its release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our Website policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety.

10. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect for the following specific purposes:

• To respond directly to questions, feedback, or support requests submitted via our contact form.
• To analyze aggregate user behavior to improve our tools, write better content, and optimize UI layout.
• To serve relevant, brand-safe advertisements to users via Google AdSense.
• To monitor Website health, prevent DDoS attacks, identify bugs, and block malicious traffic.

11. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

If you reside in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, our legal basis for collecting and processing your personal information depends on the context:

• Consent: When you voluntarily submit a message via our contact form or agree to cookie personalization.
• Legitimate Interests: To operate our Website, secure our services from abuse, and display advertising to sustain our free platform.
• Compliance with Law: When we are legally obligated to retain certain server logs or transaction data.

12. Data Retention

We retain information collected through contact form submissions only for as long as necessary to address your support request or inquiry. Automated server logs are retained for a maximum of 90 days before deletion, unless required for ongoing security investigations. Anonymous analytic data processed by Google Analytics is subject to their standard retention parameters.

13. Data Security

We employ industry-standard secure socket layer (SSL) encryption to protect data transmission between your browser and our Website. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

14. International Data Transfers

PirateShipNames.com is hosted on servers located in the United States. If you access the Website from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the US. By using our Website and submitting details via the contact form, you consent to these international data transfers.

15. User Rights (GDPR and CCPA/CPRA)

Depending on your location, you may possess specific statutory rights regarding your personal information under regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA). These rights include:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of any personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Right to Deletion (Right to be Forgotten): Request the erasure of your personal details (such as email messages).
• Right to Restrict or Object: Limit or stop the processing of your data in certain conditions.
• Right to Data Portability: Request transmission of your data in a structured, standard format.

To exercise any of these rights, please email us directly at pirateshipnames@gmail.com. We do not discriminate against users for exercising their privacy rights.

16. Children's Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under the age of 13. Our Website is designed for a general audience. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has submitted personal details to us via our contact form, please email us immediately at pirateshipnames@gmail.com, and we will delete the data from our records.

17. Do Not Track Signals

We do not alter our Website's data collection and use practices when we see a Do Not Track (DNT) signal from your browser, as there is currently no universal industry standard for recognizing these signals.

18. Third-Party Links

Our Website contains links to external sites not operated by us (including social sharing buttons and reference articles). We advise you to review the privacy policy of every site you visit. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Your continued use of the Website after any modifications constitutes your acceptance of the new Privacy Policy.

20. Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, cookie handling, or your data privacy rights, please contact us via our contact page or email us directly at pirateshipnames@gmail.com.