Privacy Policy

Summary Maps LLC ("we", "us", or "Summary Maps") operates SummaryMaps Journal at summarymapsjournal.com. This policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. If you have any questions, contact us at contact@summarymaps.com.

1. Information we collect

• Email addresses submitted via the newsletter signup form.
• Cookies — small text files set by our site and by third parties (see Section 3).
• Google Analytics 4 data — pageviews, device type, referral source, approximate location, and other anonymized usage signals.
• Meta Pixel data — anonymized event data (pageviews, actions) used for advertising measurement and audience building on Facebook and Instagram.
• ManyChat — if you interact with the on-site chat widget, the messages you send are processed by ManyChat on our behalf.
• Server logs — standard request data (IP, user-agent, timestamp) kept briefly for security and debugging.

2. How we use your information

• To send our newsletter to subscribers who opted in.
• To understand which essays and topics our audience finds valuable.
• To improve site performance, content, and design.
• To measure advertising reach on Meta properties (Facebook/Instagram).
• To detect and prevent abuse.

We do not sell your personal information.

3. Third-party services

We do not currently show display advertising on SummaryMaps Journal. The services that actually run on the site are:

• Google Analytics (GA4) — website analytics. See Google's privacy policy.
• Meta Pixel (Facebook/Instagram) — advertising measurement and audience building. See Meta's privacy policy.
• ManyChat — powers the on-site chat widget.
• Resend — delivers our newsletter emails. See Resend's privacy policy.
• Cloudflare — DNS and traffic protection.
• MongoDB Atlas — stores our articles and subscriber list.

4. Affiliate links

Some book links on the Journal go to Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases) and Bookshop.org. When you click those links, Amazon and Bookshop.org may set their own cookies, and their own privacy policies apply.

5. Cookies

We do not set first-party cookies beyond what is required for the site to function. The third parties listed above may set cookies for analytics and measurement. You can manage cookies through your browser settings — blocking cookies will not break the site.

6. Your rights

You may at any time:

• Unsubscribe from the newsletter using the link in any email, or by writing to us.
• Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
• Request deletion of your email and any associated records.

If you are in the EU/UK you have additional rights under GDPR. If you are in California you have additional rights under the CCPA. To exercise any of these, email contact@summarymaps.com.

7. Data retention

Newsletter subscriber emails are kept until you unsubscribe or request deletion. Analytics data is retained for up to 14 months. Server logs are kept for up to 30 days.

8. Children

The Journal is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has subscribed, contact us and we will delete the record.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Effective date" at the top will reflect the latest version. Material changes will be announced at the top of the newsletter.

10. Contact

Summary Maps LLC
Email: contact@summarymaps.com