1. Overview
This Privacy Policy describes how Hantavirus Guides ("we," "us," "our," or "the site") collects, uses, and shares information when you visit the website. By accessing or using the site, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
This site is operated as an educational resource. We do not require accounts, do not sell user data, and collect minimal information. We are not a healthcare provider and do not handle protected health information (PHI) or medical records.
2. Information We Collect
Information you provide directly
This site does not require registration, accounts, or sign-ins. We do not collect names, email addresses, phone numbers, or other personally identifiable information directly. We do not operate forms, comment sections, or chat features that would solicit personal data.
Information collected automatically
When you visit the site, our hosting provider and any analytics tools may automatically collect:
- Server logs: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, pages viewed, and timestamps. This is standard for any website and is used for security and basic traffic analysis.
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies: see the Cookies section below.
- Aggregated analytics data: if analytics are enabled (such as Google Analytics or a privacy-focused alternative), aggregated and anonymized usage data including pages visited, time on site, and approximate geographic region.
Information from interactive tools
The site includes an interactive "Personal Risk Check" tool. Your answers to that tool are processed entirely in your browser and are not transmitted to, stored on, or shared with our servers. We do not see, save, or analyze individual responses.
3. Cookies
This site uses a small number of cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
- Affiliate tracking cookies: When you click an affiliate link (for example, to Amazon.com), the destination site may set cookies to track that the click came from Hantavirus Guides. This is how affiliate programs determine commissions on qualifying purchases. These cookies are set by the destination site, not by us, and are governed by that site's privacy policy.
- Analytics cookies: If analytics tools are enabled, they may set cookies to distinguish unique visitors and aggregate usage statistics. These cookies do not personally identify you.
- Functional cookies: Currently, we do not set functional cookies for site preferences. The interactive tools store no state across visits.
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies will not prevent you from reading the article content but may affect how affiliate links function.
4. Affiliate Programs and Third-Party Services
Amazon Associates: This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you click an Amazon product link from our site, Amazon may track your visit and any subsequent purchases for commission purposes. Amazon's privacy practices are governed by Amazon's Privacy Notice.
Other affiliate programs: We may participate in additional affiliate or referral programs in the future. Any such relationships will be disclosed on the site.
Third-party services on this site may include:
- Google Fonts, for typography (no personal data collected, though Google may log requests as part of standard CDN operation)
- Hosting services (such as Cloudflare Pages or Netlify) which maintain standard server logs
- Analytics services, if enabled
Each third-party service operates under its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy practices of any third-party services you encounter through this site.
5. How We Use Information
The limited information collected is used for:
- Operating and maintaining the website
- Understanding aggregate traffic patterns to improve content
- Detecting and preventing abuse, spam, or security issues
- Tracking affiliate conversions to receive earned commissions
- Complying with legal obligations
We do not use your information for personalized advertising, do not build user profiles, and do not sell information to third parties.
6. Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. Limited information is shared in the following circumstances:
- With service providers who help operate the site (hosting, analytics, content delivery) under their own privacy policies
- With affiliate partners as described in Section 4
- If required by law, valid legal process, or to protect rights, property, or safety
- In connection with a business transaction such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case the receiving party would be subject to this Privacy Policy
7. Data Retention
Server logs are typically retained by our hosting provider for 30 to 90 days for security and operational purposes. Aggregated analytics data may be retained indefinitely in non-identifying form. We do not retain individual user data beyond these standard operational periods.
8. Children's Privacy
This site is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided information through the site, please contact us and we will work to delete it.
9. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including:
- Access: the right to know what information we hold about you
- Correction: the right to correct inaccurate information
- Deletion: the right to request deletion of your information
- Opt-out: the right to opt out of certain processing
Because we collect very limited information directly, most rights requests will return a response indicating that we do not hold individually-identifying data about you. To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information below.
California residents (CCPA / CPRA)
California residents have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act. We do not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA. To exercise your California rights, contact us at the email address below.
European residents (GDPR)
If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation. The legal basis for our limited data processing is legitimate interest in operating the website. You may contact us to exercise GDPR rights.
10. Security
We use reasonable technical measures to protect the limited information we collect. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. International Users
This site is operated in the United States. If you access the site from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. Material changes will be reflected by updating that date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise any of the rights described above, please contact:
Email: privacy@hantavirusguides.com
Subject line: Privacy Policy Inquiry
We will respond to verifiable requests within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days.