Legal · ssdbuddy.com

Privacy Policy

This policy explains what data we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the rights you have over your information — in plain English, with no hidden clauses.

📅 Effective: April 6, 2026
⚖️ Governing law: Texas, United States
✉ Privacy contact: hello@ssdbuddy.com
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1. Who We Are

SSD Buddy (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website at ssdbuddy.com. We are a content and affiliate marketing site based in Dallas, Texas, United States, specialising in solid-state drive (SSD) reviews, buying guides, and technical knowledge content.

Entity
SSD Buddy
Address
3319 Deercove Drive, Dallas TX 75247, US
Privacy Contact
hello@ssdbuddy.com
Website
ssdbuddy.com
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2. Information We Collect

A. Information Collected Automatically
Data Type
Examples & Purpose
IP Address
Used for approximate geolocation (country/region), security, and analytics. Partially anonymised in Google Analytics when IP anonymisation is enabled.
Browser & Device Info
Browser type/version, operating system, device type, screen resolution — used by analytics and ad platforms to optimise content delivery.
Pages Visited & Referrer
Which pages you visit, time spent, links clicked, the URL that brought you to our site, and navigation path — used for site improvement and analytics.
Cookies & Identifiers
First- and third-party cookies, pixel tags, and similar tracking technologies. See the Cookies section below for a full breakdown.
Affiliate Click Data
When you click an Amazon affiliate link, Amazon records a click event tied to our Associates ID (ssdb-20). We do not receive personal purchase data from Amazon — only aggregate commission reports.
B. Information You Provide Voluntarily
Data Type
When & Why Collected
Name & Email
When you submit our contact form or sign up for our newsletter. Used solely to respond to your inquiry or deliver requested emails.
Message Content
The content of messages sent via our contact form. Retained only for as long as needed to resolve your query.
Comment Data
If you leave a comment on an article (WordPress comments), we collect your name, email address, website URL (optional), and IP address. Email addresses are not published.

We do not collect, and have no interest in collecting, sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, health data, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, or biometric data.

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3. How We Use Your Information

📊 Site Analytics

Understand how visitors use the site — which pages are popular, how long people spend reading, where they come from — in order to improve content quality and site structure.

💬 Responding to Inquiries

Contact form submissions are used solely to respond to your question, correction, or business inquiry. We do not add you to marketing lists without explicit opt-in.

📬 Newsletter (if signed up)

If you subscribe to our email newsletter, we use your email address to send SSD deal alerts and new review notifications via our email platform. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in every email.

📺 Display Advertising

Ezoic and Google use collected data to serve contextual and interest-based ads. We do not directly use your personal data for advertising — our ad platform handles this under its own policies.

🛡️ Security & Fraud Prevention

IP addresses and request logs are used to detect and block spam comments, malicious bots, and security threats to the site.

⚖️ Legal Compliance

We may retain or disclose data when required by law, court order, or valid legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of SSD Buddy, its users, or the public.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not rent, trade, or otherwise monetise personal data. Our revenue comes from affiliate commissions and display advertising — both of which operate without requiring us to sell personal data directly.

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4. Who We Share Your Information With

Partner
What They Receive & Why
Their Policy
Google Analytics
Anonymised usage data (pages viewed, session duration, browser type, approximate location). Used to generate audience and behaviour reports for us.
View →
Ezoic / Google AdSense
IP address, cookie identifiers, and browsing behaviour for the purpose of serving targeted display ads. Governed by Ezoic’s and Google’s own data policies.
View →
Amazon Associates
Amazon receives a click-through event when you click an affiliate link. Amazon then applies its own cookies and tracking. We receive only aggregate commission data — not individual purchase data.
View →
Email Platform (TBD)
If you subscribe to our newsletter, your name and email are stored with our email service provider. No email is sent to non-subscribers.
TBD
WordPress / Hosting
Our web host processes server logs (IP addresses, request data) as part of normal hosting operations. Data is processed under a data processing agreement.
Via DPA

We do not share personal information with unrelated third parties for their own marketing purposes. All service providers receive only the minimum data necessary to perform their function.

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5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device. We use both first-party cookies (set by ssdbuddy.com) and third-party cookies (set by our service partners). The table below lists the categories of cookies used on this site.

Cookie Name / Source
Category
Purpose
Retention
_ga, _gid, _ga_*
Analytics
Google Analytics. Tracks unique visitors, session data, and page interactions. No personally identifiable information is stored.
2 years / 24 hrs
__gads, __gpi, DSID
Advertising
Google AdSense / Ezoic. Used to serve interest-based advertisements, limit ad frequency, and measure ad performance.
13 months
session-id, x-main (Amazon)
Affiliate
Set by Amazon.com when you click an affiliate link. Attributes qualifying purchases to our Associates account (ID: ssdb-20) for 24 hours after the click.
24 hours
wordpress_*, wp_*
Essential
WordPress functional cookies. Store login state (for admins only), comment author info, and session tokens. Not set for general site visitors without accounts.
Session / 1 year
Ezoic cookies (various)
Advertising
Ezoic sets multiple cookies for ad personalisation, A/B testing of ad layouts, and performance measurement. See Ezoic’s cookie list for full details.
Varies
Comment cookies (wp-postcomment)
Functional
If you leave a comment, WordPress saves your name, email, and website in a cookie so you don’t have to re-enter them on future visits. Set only with your consent.
1 year
🚫 How to Control or Delete Cookies

Browser settings: All major browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Note that blocking essential cookies may break site functionality. See: Chrome · Firefox · Safari · Edge

Interest-based ad opt-out: aboutads.info (US) · youronlinechoices.com (EU)

Global Privacy Control (GPC): If your browser sends a GPC signal, our ad platform (Ezoic) will honour it by activating Restricted Data Processing for your session.

G

6. Google AdSense & Google Analytics

📊 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use ssdbuddy.com. Google Analytics collects data such as pages visited, time on site, traffic source, and browser/device type. We have enabled IP anonymisation in Google Analytics 4 so that full IP addresses are not stored by Google.

📺 Google AdSense / Ezoic

Display ads on this site are served by Ezoic (a Google AdSense Certified Partner). Google uses DART cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other sites. You can opt out of personalised advertising via Google’s My Ad Center.

EU / EEA Visitors: Google does not serve personalised ads to users in the EEA without a valid consent signal. Ezoic’s consent management platform handles consent collection for EEA visitors in accordance with the IAB Transparency & Consent Framework (TCF) v2.2 and GDPR.

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7. Amazon Associates Tracking

Required Statement — Amazon Associates Operating Agreement § 5

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Our Amazon Associates ID is ssdb-20. This statement is required by § 5 of the Amazon Associates Program Operating Agreement.

When you click a product link on SSDbuddy.com that goes to Amazon.com, Amazon places cookies on your browser for the purpose of attributing qualifying purchases to our account. The standard attribution window is 24 hours from the time of your click. If you add a product to your cart within 24 hours, our cookie may extend your session for up to 90 days for that cart item.

What we receive: We receive only aggregate commission reports from Amazon — total clicks, orders, and commissions earned. We do not receive your name, shipping address, payment information, or any personally identifying purchase data. What Amazon receives: Amazon’s own privacy policy governs all data collected when you visit amazon.com. Read Amazon’s Privacy Policy →

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8. Third-Party Links

SSDbuddy.com contains links to external websites including Amazon.com, manufacturer product pages, benchmark databases, and other technology publications. When you follow a link to another site, that site’s own privacy policy applies — not ours. We have no control over and accept no responsibility for the privacy practices of third-party sites.

We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any external site before providing personal information. Common external sites linked from SSDbuddy.com include: Amazon.com, Newegg, B&H Photo, Best Buy, manufacturer websites (Samsung, WD, Crucial, ADATA, etc.), and tech publications (AnandTech, Tom’s Hardware, The Register, XDA Developers).

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9. Children’s Privacy (COPPA)

COPPA — Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (16 CFR Part 312)

SSDbuddy.com is a general-audience technology publication directed at adults interested in computer hardware. This site is not directed at children under the age of 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you are under 13, please do not submit any personal information (name, email, or other data) through this site. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has submitted personal information to this site should contact us at hello@ssdbuddy.com and we will take immediate action to remove the data.

Third-party ad tracking and children: Our ad platform (Ezoic) and Google AdSense are required by Google’s policies not to personalise ads based on the browsing behaviour of users identified as under the age of 13. If you believe a child is being subjected to targeted advertising via this site, please contact us or report directly to Google AdSense.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@ssdbuddy.com. We respond to all verified requests within 30 days (45 days for complex requests where permitted).

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Right to Access

Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you and details of how it is used. (GDPR Art. 15 · CCPA §1798.110)

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Right to Deletion

Request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal retention obligations. (GDPR Art. 17 · CCPA §1798.105)

✏️
Right to Correction

Request that we correct inaccurate personal information we hold about you. (GDPR Art. 16 · CPRA §1798.106)

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Right to Opt-Out

Opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of your personal information with third parties for cross-context behavioural advertising. (CCPA §1798.120 · CPRA)

Do Not Sell My Info →

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Right to Portability

Receive a copy of data you provided to us in a structured, machine-readable format, where technically feasible. (GDPR Art. 20)

⚖️
Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not deny you service, charge you different prices, or provide a lower quality of service because you exercise your privacy rights. (CCPA §1798.125)

📬 How to Submit a Privacy Rights Request

Email hello@ssdbuddy.com with: (1) the subject line “Privacy Rights Request”; (2) the right(s) you wish to exercise; (3) sufficient information for us to verify your identity (e.g., email address used to contact us). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request to protect against fraudulent submissions. Verification does not require you to create an account.

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11. California Residents — CCPA / CPRA

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA, Cal. Civ. Code §1798.100 et seq.) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) grant you specific rights. The following disclosure is provided pursuant to those laws.

Categories of Personal Information Collected in the Past 12 Months
CCPA Category
Examples Collected
Sold?
A. Identifiers
IP address, cookie ID, email (if provided)
No
F. Internet / Network Activity
Pages visited, referrer URL, time on site, links clicked
No
G. Geolocation
Approximate country/region derived from IP address (not precise location)
No
K. Inferences from above
Interest segments created by ad platform for ad targeting (processed by Ezoic/Google, not by us directly)
Shared*

* “Shared” means disclosed to ad partners (Ezoic/Google) for cross-context behavioural advertising, which may constitute “sharing” under CPRA. California residents may opt out via the “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link or by enabling Global Privacy Control in your browser.

Additional CPRA Rights (Effective January 1, 2023)
Sensitive personal information: We do not collect sensitive personal information as defined by CPRA (racial origin, health data, financial accounts, precise geolocation, etc.).
Data retention: We do not retain personal information longer than reasonably necessary for the stated purpose. See the Security & Retention section below for specific timeframes.
GPC signals: We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) opt-out signals. When our ad platform receives a GPC signal, it activates Restricted Data Processing automatically.
Non-discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any CCPA/CPRA right.
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12. EU / EEA / UK Visitors — GDPR

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR / UK GDPR) applies to our processing of your personal data. SSDbuddy.com operates from the United States; by using this site you acknowledge that your data may be transferred to and processed in the US.

Lawful Basis for Processing (GDPR Art. 6)
Art. 6(1)(f) — Legitimate Interests

Website analytics (understanding how visitors use the site to improve content). Our legitimate interest: improving the quality and relevance of our reviews. Your interests override if you object (see Your Rights).

Art. 6(1)(a) — Consent

Non-essential cookies (advertising, analytics tracking) are set only where valid consent is obtained via our consent management platform (Ezoic’s CMP). You may withdraw consent at any time.

Art. 6(1)(b) — Contractual Necessity

Processing your email and name when you submit a contact form, in order to respond to your inquiry (pre-contractual communications).

Art. 6(1)(c) — Legal Obligation

Retaining certain data where required by applicable law (e.g. accounting records, legal compliance obligations).

🌍 International Data Transfers (GDPR Chapter V)

SSDbuddy.com is operated from the United States. When EU/EEA residents visit this site, personal data (such as IP address) is transferred to US-based servers. Transfers to Google (Analytics, AdSense) and Ezoic are made under their respective Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and Data Processing Agreements, which provide GDPR-compliant safeguards.

Right to Complain: If you believe we have violated your GDPR rights, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority. A list of EU supervisory authorities is available at edpb.europa.eu. UK residents may contact the ICO (ico.org.uk). We prefer you contact us first at hello@ssdbuddy.com so we can resolve your concern directly.

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13. Data Security & Retention

🛡️ Security Measures
HTTPS / TLS encryption for all site traffic
WordPress security best practices (strong passwords, limited login attempts)
Regular core, theme, and plugin updates
Hosting via providers with industry-standard data centre security
No internet transmission method is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
⏱️ Retention Periods
Data Type
Retention
Contact form data
Up to 2 years
Newsletter subscriber data
Until unsubscribe
Comment data
Indefinitely (public content)
Server / access logs
30–90 days
Google Analytics data
14 months (GA4 default)
Advertising cookies
Per cookie table above

Data breach notification: In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms, we will notify affected users and, where required, the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware (GDPR Art. 33–34).

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14. Changes to This Policy & How to Contact Us

🔄 Changes Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, our data practices, or the services we use. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. We will not provide individual email notifications of changes unless required by law.

Continued use of ssdbuddy.com after the effective date of any revised policy constitutes acceptance of that revised policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

📬 Privacy Contact
Subject line for privacy requests
“Privacy Rights Request”
Mailing Address
SSD Buddy
3319 Deercove Drive
Dallas, TX 75247
United States
Response time
Within 30 days (45 for complex requests)
Revision History
April 6, 2026 Initial publication. Covers GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, COPPA (2025 amendments), Google Analytics & AdSense, Amazon Associates, cookies, user rights, and data retention.

© 2022–2026 SSD Buddy · 3319 Deercove Drive, Dallas TX 75247 · hello@ssdbuddy.com
This Privacy Policy is provided for informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your jurisdiction.