How PocketSpec handles your data

What This Policy Covers

This privacy policy applies to pocketspec.store and all its subdomains (including any future regional or content-specific subdomains). It covers data collected through the website itself, through the optional newsletter subscription, and through affiliate link tracking as described in this document.

This policy does not cover third-party websites you reach by clicking links on PocketSpec. Once you leave this site — including by clicking a product link to Amazon — the privacy practices of that destination site govern what happens next.

If you click an affiliate link and purchase something on Amazon within 24 hours, Amazon’s privacy policy governs what happens next — not ours. We receive aggregate performance data (clicks, conversions) but we do not receive your Amazon account information, your order details, or any personal data from your Amazon session.

Questions about this policy can be sent to privacy@pocketspec.store.

Data We Collect

Here is exactly what data is collected when you use this site — and how each category is gathered:

1. Email addresses — only if you subscribe to the PocketSpec newsletter. Providing your email is entirely optional. If you never subscribe, we never collect your email address. Subscription happens through a form you actively fill out and submit.
2. Usage data — pages you visit, time spent on a page, and the URL that referred you here. This is collected via Plausible Analytics, a privacy-first analytics tool. Plausible does not use cookies for analytics, does not build individual user profiles, and does not track you across sessions or across different websites. The data is aggregate and cannot be traced back to an individual.
3. Affiliate link click data — when you click a product link that includes an Amazon Associates tag (e.g., ?tag=pocketspec-20), Amazon’s systems log that click. PocketSpec sees aggregate click counts and approximate conversion rates for those links. We do not see which individual clicked, what they browsed on Amazon, or what they ultimately purchased.
4. Contact form submissions — if you use the contact form on this site, we receive your name and email address along with whatever message you write. This is stored in our email inbox only for as long as needed to respond. Once the conversation is resolved, the data is deleted.

Why We Collect It

There is a reason for each category of data we collect. Here is what that reason is:

Email addresses

We collect your email address to send you the newsletter you subscribed to. That is the only use. We do not share subscriber lists with advertisers, sell them to third parties, or use them to build profiles for purposes beyond delivering newsletter content.

Usage analytics

Understanding which pages get traffic, where visitors come from, and which content people engage with helps us make decisions about what to write next. If ten articles on budget Android phones get consistent traffic and one article on tablet accessories does not, that tells us something useful about what to invest time in. Plausible gives us this without requiring us to invade anyone’s privacy to get it.

Affiliate click data

Affiliate commissions are the primary revenue source for PocketSpec. They pay for the retail purchases we make to test products — every device reviewed on this site was purchased at full retail price, without manufacturer involvement. Affiliate data helps us understand which product categories are performing and guides content planning. We look at aggregate numbers, not individual behavior.

Contact form data

We collect your name and email when you contact us so that we can respond to you. There is no other use for this data. We do not add contact form submitters to the newsletter list unless you specifically request it.

Cookies and Analytics

Plausible Analytics

PocketSpec uses Plausible Analytics for site measurement. Plausible is a privacy-first analytics tool that operates without cookies and without processing any personal data. It measures page views, session counts, referral sources, and device categories using aggregated, anonymized data only. No consent banner is required for Plausible under GDPR because it does not process personal data as defined under the regulation.

If you use a browser extension like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger, those tools may block Plausible’s script. That is entirely fine and does not affect your ability to use this site.

Newsletter service cookies

PocketSpec uses ConvertKit to deliver the newsletter. If you subscribe and click a link inside a newsletter email, ConvertKit may set a cookie to track whether that email was opened and whether the link was clicked. This cookie is only ever set after you have actively subscribed and clicked through from an email — it is not placed on your device simply by visiting pocketspec.store.

Amazon affiliate cookies

Affiliate links to Amazon include Amazon’s standard tracking parameter (?tag=pocketspec-20). When you click through to Amazon, Amazon sets its own cookies — including a 24-hour session cookie that attributes any purchases made in that window to PocketSpec’s affiliate account. The management and use of those cookies is governed entirely by Amazon’s Privacy Notice, not this policy. You can delete these cookies at any time through your browser settings without affecting your ability to shop on Amazon.

Amazon Associates Disclosure

What this means for editorial independence

Commission potential does not influence which products we test, which verdicts we give, or which products we recommend. All products reviewed on this site are purchased at full retail price without manufacturer involvement, advance units, or sponsored arrangements. No manufacturer has reviewed or approved any content before publication.

Products are recommended because they tested well — not because they generate higher commissions. If a product fails a test, that failure is published regardless of how it affects affiliate revenue.

How affiliate links are labeled

Affiliate links are identified with a disclosure label near each product recommendation. This may appear as an inline note, a section disclosure, or a persistent site-wide disclosure depending on the page format. You should assume that product links pointing to Amazon include our affiliate tag unless explicitly noted otherwise.

Not every link is an affiliate link

Direct links to manufacturer websites, standards documentation, research sources, and reference materials do not include tracking parameters. These links are included because they are useful — PocketSpec earns nothing from them.

Annual commission disclosure

PocketSpec is committed to transparency about affiliate revenue. We will update this section annually with approximate commission earnings for the prior calendar year. This helps readers calibrate how significant affiliate income is as a business factor.

Third-Party Services

The following external services are used to operate PocketSpec. Each service is described alongside what data they can see and a link to their own privacy documentation.

• Amazon Associates Affiliate program that tracks clicks on product links and attributes qualifying purchases to PocketSpec. Amazon sees your browsing and purchase activity on Amazon.com per their standard terms. We see aggregate click and conversion data only. Amazon Privacy Notice →
• Plausible Analytics Privacy-first website analytics. No cookies. No personal data stored. Plausible sees page view events, referral URLs, and device category — all aggregated and anonymized. Data is hosted in the EU. Plausible Privacy Policy →
• ConvertKit Email newsletter delivery platform. Subscriber email addresses and basic engagement data (opens, clicks) are stored on ConvertKit’s servers per their privacy policy. ConvertKit is GDPR compliant and processes EU subscriber data under standard contractual clauses. ConvertKit Privacy Policy →
• Cloudflare Performance and security infrastructure layer. Cloudflare sits between visitors and the web server, providing DDoS protection and caching. Cloudflare may log anonymized request data (IP addresses are not stored) for security and performance purposes. Cloudflare Privacy Policy →
• WordPress (self-hosted) Site platform. Standard WordPress handles comment moderation (if enabled) and stores post metadata. Contact form submissions are processed through a WordPress form plugin and land in our email inbox. No WordPress.com data sharing applies — this is a self-hosted installation. Automattic Privacy Policy →

If we add or remove a third-party service that processes personal data, we will update this section and the “Last updated” date at the top of this page, and notify newsletter subscribers as described in Section 11.

Data Security

Here is an honest account of how data on PocketSpec is secured and what we can and cannot promise.

Subscriber email addresses

Email addresses collected through the newsletter subscription are stored on ConvertKit’s servers. ConvertKit uses industry-standard encryption for data at rest and in transit. We do not maintain a separate local copy of the subscriber list outside of ConvertKit.

Contact form data

Contact form submissions land in our email inbox. They are read, responded to, and then deleted. We do not retain contact form data beyond the resolution of the conversation. This data is not stored in a database or shared with any third party.

What we do not store

PocketSpec does not collect or store passwords (there are no user accounts), payment information (all transactions occur on Amazon), or sensitive personal data of any kind. We therefore cannot suffer a breach of data we do not hold.

What we can guarantee

We will not sell, share, trade, or transfer subscriber email addresses or contact data to any third party. This is a firm commitment, not a conditional one. No business circumstance — including a sale of the site — would transfer subscriber data without explicit subscriber consent and advance notice.

What we cannot guarantee

We cannot guarantee absolute security of data in transit over the internet. This limitation applies to every internet service in existence and is not specific to PocketSpec. All modern connections to this site use HTTPS encryption, which is the current best practice standard.

Breach notification

If a data breach occurs that affects subscriber personal data, we will notify affected subscribers within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach. Notification will be sent to the email address on file and will describe what data was affected, what we know about how it happened, and what steps we are taking.

Rights Under GDPR

If you are located in the European Union or the United Kingdom, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR give you specific rights regarding your personal data. Here is what each right means in practical terms for PocketSpec:

• The right to access: You can ask us what personal data we hold about you. In practice, for most visitors this means whether your email address is on our newsletter list, and whether we have any open contact correspondence. We will respond with a complete account of what we hold.
• The right to erasure: You can ask us to delete your personal data. For newsletter subscribers, this means unsubscribing (which removes your data from active lists) plus a deletion request sent to privacy@pocketspec.store to have your record fully removed from ConvertKit.
• The right to rectification: You can ask us to correct inaccurate personal data. If your email address was entered incorrectly at subscription, contact us and we will fix it.
• The right to restrict processing: You can ask us to stop using your data for a specific purpose. For analytics: Plausible Analytics processes no personal data, so there is nothing to restrict. For newsletter delivery: the unsubscribe link in any email stops all further use immediately.
• The right to withdraw consent: Newsletter consent can be withdrawn at any time using the unsubscribe link in any PocketSpec email. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing that occurred before withdrawal.
• The right to data portability: You can ask for a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format. For newsletter subscribers, this includes the email address on file and subscription date.
• The right to object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests. If you believe PocketSpec is processing your data in a way you did not consent to, contact us and we will investigate and respond.

We respond to all GDPR rights requests within 30 days of receipt. To submit a request, email privacy@pocketspec.store with the subject line “GDPR Request” and a description of what you are requesting. We may ask you to verify your identity before processing a deletion or access request.

If you believe your rights have not been handled properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority in your EU member state or the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Your Choices and Controls

You have direct control over most of the data interactions described in this policy. Here is a practical guide to each option:

• Newsletter Every PocketSpec newsletter email includes an unsubscribe link at the bottom. Clicking it removes you from the active list immediately. If you also want your data fully deleted from ConvertKit’s servers (not just removed from the active send list), email privacy@pocketspec.store with a deletion request and we will process it within 5 business days.
• Analytics Plausible Analytics does not use cookies and does not store personal data, so there is no opt-out mechanism required. If you use browser privacy tools such as uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, or a privacy-focused browser like Firefox with enhanced tracking protection, these tools may already block Plausible’s script. This has no effect on your experience of the site and is entirely your choice.
• Affiliate tracking Standard browser settings allow you to block or delete Amazon cookies. You can do this through your browser’s privacy or cookie settings at any time. Blocking Amazon’s cookies does not prevent you from shopping on Amazon — it only means PocketSpec will not receive credit for the referral if you make a purchase. This is a valid and reasonable choice and we will not attempt to circumvent it.
• Contact data If you have contacted PocketSpec through the contact form and want that correspondence deleted, reply to any email in that thread with a deletion request. We will confirm deletion within 5 business days.

Children’s Privacy (COPPA)

PocketSpec is not directed at children under the age of 13. The content on this site — product reviews, comparisons, and buying guidance for smartphones and accessories — is intended for adult consumers and older teenagers making purchasing decisions.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 13. The newsletter subscription form does not ask for age verification, but we operate on the assumption that subscribers are adults. If we become aware that we have received personal information from someone under 13, we will delete that information promptly from all systems.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has submitted personal data to PocketSpec — through the contact form or newsletter subscription — please contact us at privacy@pocketspec.store. Include the subject line “Child Data Deletion” and describe the nature of the submission. We will investigate and confirm deletion within 5 business days.

For users between 13 and 16 in the European Union: under GDPR Article 8, some member states set the digital consent age at 16. If you are in one of those member states, parental consent may be required before you subscribe to our newsletter. We are not technically equipped to verify age at the point of subscription, so we rely on users to be honest about their eligibility.

When This Policy Changes

This privacy policy will be updated as PocketSpec’s services change, as new legal requirements apply, or as we find ways to be clearer about practices already in place. Here is how we handle those updates:

The “Last updated” date

The date at the top of this page reflects the last time any substantive change was made to this document. If you return to this page and the date has changed since your last visit, something has been updated.

What counts as a significant change

We consider these changes significant enough to warrant a newsletter notification:

• Adding a new data collection practice that did not previously exist
• Adding a new third-party service that processes personal data (beyond services already listed in Section 6)
• A material change in how affiliate commission data is disclosed
• A change in how long we retain personal data

Formatting improvements, grammar corrections, clarifications that do not alter the substance of any commitment, and the annual update to affiliate earnings figures are not announced separately — only the “Last updated” date changes.

How we notify subscribers

When a significant change is made, newsletter subscribers will receive a brief email describing what changed, why it changed, and what (if anything) they need to do. This notification will be sent before or concurrent with the policy update taking effect — not after.

Continued use

Continued use of PocketSpec after a policy update constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. If a change is material enough that you no longer wish to be a subscriber, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any newsletter email, or by contacting us directly.