Privacy & Cookie Notice
Last updated 31 October 2026
This notice explains what happens to information when you visit eddiejsmith.com (the “Site”), operated by Eddie J. Smith (“we,” “us”). It covers the analytics and cookies used on the Site and the choices and rights you have.
The short version
- The Site itself does not collect your name, email, or phone number. The newsletter sign-up form on some pages is Substack’s own, so an email address you enter there goes to Substack. Booking a call happens on Google Calendar. Each is governed by that provider’s own privacy policy.
- We use Google Analytics (via Google Tag Manager) to understand how the Site is used. That’s it.
- In the EEA, UK, and Switzerland, analytics cookies are off by default until you accept them in the cookie banner. Elsewhere they are on by default and you can decline any time via your browser.
What we collect
Usage & analytics data (automatic). When you view the Site, Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager (container GTM-P9X8MDSR), may record pages viewed, time on page, referring source, approximate location (country/region, derived from IP), and device/browser type, using cookies and similar identifiers.
Your consent choice. If you use the cookie banner, your choice is stored in your browser’s local storage (key ejs_consent) so we don’t ask again. It stays on your device and is not sent to us.
The Site itself does not collect names, email addresses, phone numbers, payment details, or any special-category (e.g., health) data. If you subscribe to the newsletter, Substack collects your email address; see “Who we share it with.”
Cookies & similar technologies
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics, set via Google Tag Manager): measure Site usage; typically first-party
_ga-style cookies lasting up to ~2 years. - Consent signal: a small value in your browser’s local storage recording whether you accepted or declined analytics.
- Newsletter sign-up form: outside the EEA, UK, and Switzerland, blog posts, the blog page, and the home page show the sign-up form for Local Business AI, our newsletter, loaded from Substack. Substack may set its own cookies when the form loads (for example, for security and testing), under Substack’s privacy policy. In the EEA, UK, and Switzerland, those pages show a link to Substack’s sign-up page instead, so nothing from Substack loads on the Site.
We use Google Consent Mode v2. For visitors in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland, analytics and ad-related storage are denied by default and enabled only if you click “Accept.” For visitors elsewhere, analytics is enabled by default.
How to control cookies: use the banner (EEA/UK/CH), your browser settings (block or delete cookies), or Google’s Analytics opt-out add-on. We honor the Global Privacy Control / “Do Not Track” signal where legally required.
Why we use it & legal basis
We use analytics to understand which content is useful, improve the Site, and measure marketing. Where the law requires opt-in consent (EEA/UK/CH), our legal basis is your consent, which you can withdraw at any time by declining in the banner or clearing the stored choice. Elsewhere, we rely on our legitimate interest in understanding and improving the Site.
Who we share it with
Analytics data is processed by Google (Google Analytics / Google Tag Manager) acting as our service provider. We do not sell or “share” your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising as defined by U.S. state privacy laws. Booking (Google Calendar) and the newsletter sign-up (Substack) are operated by those companies under their own policies. If you subscribe to the newsletter, Substack provides us, as its author, the information needed to send it to you, including your name and email address. You can unsubscribe from any newsletter email.
International transfers
Google may process data in the United States and other countries. Where personal data is transferred out of the EEA/UK, it relies on transfer mechanisms such as the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework and/or Standard Contractual Clauses.
How long we keep it
Analytics data is retained according to our Google Analytics configuration (by default, user-level and event data are retained up to 14 months, then deleted). Your on-device consent choice persists until you clear your browser storage.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or port your data, to object to or restrict processing, and to withdraw consent. If you are in California, you may request to know, delete, or correct personal information and to opt out of sale/sharing (we do not sell or share). Because the Site collects only pseudonymous analytics data (not your name or email), we may be unable to identify your specific data, but we will help where we can. To make a request, email eddie.j.smith3@gmail.com. You may also complain to your local data-protection authority.
Children
The Site is intended for business owners, is not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 16.
Changes
We may update this notice as our practices or the law change; we will revise the “last updated” date above.
Contact
Questions about this notice or your data: eddie.j.smith3@gmail.com.