Effective Date: May 17th 2025

Welcome to The Guided Channel (“we,” “our,” or “us”). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how your data is collected, used, and shared when you visit or make a purchase from https://theguidedchannel.com.

1. Who We Are

Our website address is: https://theguidedchannel.com.

2. What Data We Collect and Why

We collect personal information when you interact with our site. This includes:

a. Comments

When visitors leave comments, we collect:

  • The data in the comment form
  • The visitor’s IP address
  • Browser user agent string (to help with spam detection)

An anonymized string (hash) from your email may be shared with the Gravatar service to check if you’re using it. Gravatar privacy policy. Once approved, your profile picture is visible to the public in your comment.

b. Media

If you upload images, avoid including EXIF GPS location data. Visitors can download and extract location data from images on the site.

c. Account and Order Data

When you purchase from us or create an account, we collect:

  • Name, email address, and phone number
  • Shipping and billing addresses
  • Payment details ((processed via PayPal and credit/debit card payment gateways))
  • Order history
  • IP address and browser info

This data is used to:

  • Process orders
  • Send updates and confirmations
  • Offer customer support
  • Prevent fraud
  • Improve our services

3. Cookies

We use cookies to:

  • Remember login sessions and screen preferences
  • Improve user experience
  • Track site performance and analytics
  • Power advertising (e.g., future Google Ads)

Specific Cookie Usage:

  • Comment cookies last for 1 year if you opt-in
  • Login cookies last for 2 days (2 weeks if “Remember Me” is checked)
  • Screen options cookies last 1 year
  • Post-editing cookies expire in 1 day

You may manage cookies via your browser or opt-out using our future CookieYes consent tool.

4. Embedded Content from Other Sites

Articles may include embedded content (videos, images, etc.). These sites may collect your data, use cookies, and track your interaction as if you visited their site directly.

5. Analytics and Tracking

We use the following tools for analytics and site performance:

  • Google Analytics 4
  • Google Search Console
  • Microsoft Clarity

These services collect anonymous data like device/browser type, pages visited, time spent on site, etc. You can opt out via Google’s ad settings.

6. Email Marketing

If you opt in, we may send you marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in every email.

7. Who We Share Your Data With

We may share data with:

  • PayPal (for processing payments)
  • Google / Microsoft (for analytics and advertising)
  • Email platforms (e.g., for sending newsletters)

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

If you request a password reset, your IP address may be included in the reset email.

8. Data Retention

  • Comments and metadata are retained indefinitely
  • Account information and order details are stored for legal and operational needs
  • Users may edit or delete their personal info, but usernames can’t be changed
  • Admins can also see and edit that information

9. Your Data Rights

You have the right to:

  • Request an exported file of your data
  • Ask for data correction or deletion
  • Withdraw consent for marketing
  • Request deletion of your account

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@theguidedchannel.com. We’ll respond within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA if applicable).

10. Where Your Data Is Sent

Visitor comments may be scanned through automated spam detection tools (e.g., Akismet or similar).

11. Security

We take data security seriously and use SSL encryption, access control, and secure platforms. However, no system is 100% secure.

12. Children’s Privacy

This website is not intended for individuals under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect data from children.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.”

14. Contact Us

If you have questions or want to exercise your privacy rights, contact:

📧 info@theguidedchannel.com