Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2026-11-06

This policy explains how Stella Maris Media ("we," "us," or "our") handles information about visitors to stellamaris.media (the "Site"). By using the Site, you agree to the practices described below.

1. Who we are

Stella Maris Media is responsible for the Site and the information described in this policy. Our web hosting and technical infrastructure are operated on our behalf by AMDG Core, our service provider, under a services agreement.

2. Information we collect

We do not use tracking cookies and do not collect personally identifiable information through ordinary browsing. When analytics are enabled, we record only aggregated, anonymous data:

• Pages visited and time of visit
• Approximate city (derived from the IP address; the IP address itself is not stored)
• Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
• Browser and language
• Referring site, where applicable

We collect your name, email address, phone number, or other personal information only when you choose to give it to us directly — for example, by using the contact form, subscribing to our newsletter, or posting a comment on an article.

3. How we use this information

Aggregated traffic data is used solely to understand how the Site is used and to improve our content. Information you submit directly (name, email, comment, message) is used to respond to you, send the newsletter you signed up for, and moderate comments. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

4. Where data is stored

When enabled, analytics data is processed using the open-source tool Umami Analytics, self-hosted by AMDG Core on servers operated by Hetzner Online GmbH. Information you submit directly (contact form, newsletter, comments) is stored in our database, hosted by Supabase.

5. How long we keep data

Aggregated analytics data is retained for up to 24 months for trend comparison, then automatically deleted. Newsletter subscriptions and comments are kept until you ask us to remove them or unsubscribe.

6. Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live, applicable law — such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), or similar laws in states including Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah — may give you the right to:

• Know what personal information we hold about you and how it's used
• Access a copy of that information
• Correct inaccurate or outdated information
• Request deletion of your information
• Opt out of the sale or "sharing" of your information (we do not sell or share personal information, so this does not currently apply, but you may still ask us to confirm that)
• Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Section 8. We will respond within the time required by applicable law.

7. Cookies and children's privacy

This site does not use tracking or advertising cookies. The Umami analytics tool operates without cookies. Only strictly necessary cookies (for example, to keep an admin logged in to the editorial panel) may be used. Articles with an embedded YouTube video load it from YouTube, which may set its own cookies under its own policy. The Site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

8. Contact

To exercise your rights or ask questions about this policy, contact us through our Contact page.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent update. We encourage you to review it periodically.