Privacy Policy
What data ToolStackVault collects, how we use it, what third-party services are involved, and how you can request that your data be removed.
Who We Are
ToolStackVault is an independent software review and comparison publication operated from the Netherlands. We publish reviews, comparisons, and guides covering SaaS tools across four categories: web hosting, email marketing, SEO tools, and AI tools.
Our website is toolstackvault.com. You can reach us at info@toolstackvault.com.
For the purposes of EU data protection law (GDPR), ToolStackVault is the data controller for personal data collected through this site.
What Data We Collect
We keep data collection minimal. Here is what we collect, and why.
Information you provide
- Newsletter signup: your email address
- Contact form: your name and email address
- We do not require account registration to read content
- We do not collect payment information
Automatically collected
- IP address (anonymised in analytics)
- Browser type and device type
- Pages visited and time on site
- Referring URL (where you came from)
- Country / region (derived from IP)
Automatically collected data is processed through Google Analytics 4 (see Third-Party Services below). We have enabled IP anonymisation. We do not combine analytics data with any personally identifying information.
How We Use Your Data
We use the data we collect for the following purposes:
- Newsletter: to send you our email newsletter if you subscribed. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
- Contact form: to respond to your message. We do not add you to any mailing list without your explicit consent.
- Analytics: to understand how visitors use the site — which pages are popular, where traffic comes from, and how to improve content. We use aggregated, anonymised data only.
- Security: to protect against spam, abuse, and malicious traffic.
We do not sell personal data to third parties. We do not use personal data for targeted advertising.
Cookies
ToolStackVault uses cookies. Here is what they are and why:
Analytics cookies (Google Analytics 4)
These cookies collect anonymised data about how visitors interact with the site. They are set by Google Analytics and persist for up to 13 months. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Functional cookies (WordPress)
WordPress may set session cookies when you visit the site. These are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser. They do not track you across sites.
Affiliate tracking cookies
When you click an affiliate link and visit a partner’s website, that partner may set their own cookies to track referrals and attribute purchases. These cookies are set by the partner, not by ToolStackVault. Please refer to the partner’s own privacy policy for details about their tracking practices.
Most browsers allow you to control or block cookies through browser settings. Note that disabling some cookies may affect site functionality.
Third-Party Services
ToolStackVault relies on the following third-party services that may process personal data:
- Google Analytics 4 — website usage analytics. Data is processed by Google LLC. See Google’s Privacy Policy.
- Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) — email newsletter delivery. If you subscribe to our newsletter, your email address is stored with Brevo. See Brevo’s Privacy Policy.
- WordPress / WP plugins — our CMS platform and associated plugins used to run the site. Hosted on a private VPS.
- Affiliate networks & partner sites — when you click an affiliate link, the partner’s own tracking technology applies.
We do not embed third-party social media tracking pixels, advertising networks (beyond contextual ads where present), or behavioural profiling services.
Affiliate Links & Tracking
Some links on ToolStackVault are affiliate links. When you click one and visit the partner’s site, the partner may use cookies or other tracking mechanisms to attribute any subsequent purchase to our referral.
ToolStackVault does not control, and is not responsible for, the privacy practices of linked third-party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of any website you visit. For more about how we handle affiliate relationships editorially, see our Affiliate Disclosure.
Data Retention
- Newsletter subscribers: email addresses are retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
- Contact form submissions: retained for up to 12 months unless you request earlier deletion.
- Analytics data: retained for 14 months by default in Google Analytics 4, then automatically deleted.
- Server logs: retained for up to 30 days for security monitoring, then deleted.
Your Rights
If you are located in the European Economic Area, UK, or Switzerland, you have the following rights under GDPR (or applicable equivalent law):
- Right of accessYou can request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectificationYou can ask us to correct inaccurate personal data.
- Right to erasureYou can ask us to delete your personal data. We will comply unless we have a legal obligation to retain it.
- Right to restrict processingYou can ask us to limit how we use your data while a complaint is being resolved.
- Right to data portabilityYou can request your data in a portable format where technically feasible.
- Right to objectYou can object to processing based on legitimate interests. You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, email info@toolstackvault.com with the subject “Privacy Request”. We aim to respond within 30 days. If you believe we have handled your data unlawfully, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your national supervisory authority. In the Netherlands, this is the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens.
Children’s Privacy
ToolStackVault is not directed at children under the age of 16 and we do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a minor, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time, for example when we add a new service or when legal requirements change. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We recommend checking this page periodically. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
For any privacy-related question, data request, or concern, contact us at:
Email: info@toolstackvault.com
Form: toolstackvault.com/contact/