Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how PortMaster (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects your information when you visit our website. PortMaster is a software download and information website that provides resources about the PortMaster application, a port manager for Linux-based handheld gaming devices.

By accessing or using this website, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please stop using the site.

2. Information We Collect

a) Information You Voluntarily Provide

We keep data collection to a minimum. The only personal information we collect directly from you is what you submit through our contact form, which may include your name, email address, and message. We do not require user registration, accounts, or payment information of any kind.

b) Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain technical information is collected automatically through server logs and our CDN provider:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring URL (the page that linked you here)
• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• Device type (desktop, mobile, or tablet)
• Approximate geographic location at the country or region level, derived from your IP address

c) Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:

Essential Cookies: WordPress sets functional cookies required for the website to operate properly. These handle basic site functionality and cannot be disabled without breaking core features.

Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics 4): We may use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors interact with our site. GA4 collects aggregated data such as pageviews, session duration, traffic sources, and general demographics. GA4 does not collect personally identifiable information. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense): We may use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. AdSense uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this site and other websites. Third-party vendors, including Google, use these cookies to serve personalized advertisements. You can opt out of personalized advertising at Google Ad Settings or visit aboutads.info to opt out of third-party advertising cookies.

Cloudflare Cookies: Our site uses Cloudflare as a CDN and security provider. Cloudflare may set cookies such as __cf_bm and __cflb for performance optimization and bot detection. These are strictly functional.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected for the following purposes:

• To operate and maintain the website
• To analyze traffic patterns and improve content related to PortMaster
• To serve relevant advertisements through AdSense
• To respond to inquiries submitted through our contact form
• To detect and prevent security threats through Cloudflare

We do not use your data for any purpose beyond what is listed above.

4. Third-Party Services

We rely on a small number of third-party services to run this website. Each has its own privacy policy governing how they handle data:

• Google Analytics 4 – analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Privacy Policy
• Google AdSense – advertising service provided by Google LLC. Google Ads Privacy
• Cloudflare – CDN and security service provided by Cloudflare, Inc. Cloudflare Privacy Policy
• WordPress – open-source CMS. Our WordPress installation is self-hosted, and no data is sent to WordPress.org.

We do not control how these third parties process your data and recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal data. We do not share your information with third parties beyond what is described in this policy (Google Analytics, Google AdSense, and Cloudflare). We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid legal process. Aggregated, anonymized data may be used internally to improve the website.

6. Data Retention

• Server logs: Retained for up to 30 days, then automatically purged.
• Analytics data: Retained according to Google Analytics default settings (14 months).
• Contact form submissions: Retained until the inquiry is resolved, then deleted.
• Cookies: Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies have varying lifespans depending on their purpose (typically 30 days to 2 years).

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have several options for controlling how your data is collected and used:

• Disable or manage cookies through your browser settings
• Opt out of Google Analytics using the browser add-on linked above
• Opt out of personalized ads at Google Ad Settings
• Request deletion of any personal data we hold by contacting us through our Contact page

For EU/EEA residents: Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the right to access, rectify, erase, port, and object to processing of your personal data.

For California residents: Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have the right to know what data is collected, request deletion, opt out of data sales (we do not sell data), and be free from discrimination for exercising these rights.

8. Children’s Privacy

This website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete it as quickly as possible.

9. Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information. All connections to this website are encrypted using HTTPS/SSL. Cloudflare provides additional security through DDoS protection and a Web Application Firewall (WAF). That said, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection.

10. International Data Transfers

Our servers and the third-party services we use may process data in locations outside your country of residence. By using this website, you consent to the transfer of your information to these locations. Where applicable, we rely on standard contractual clauses and other recognized safeguards to protect transferred data.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date at the top. Your continued use of the website after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please reach out through our Contact page.