Privacy Policy
Last updated: · Operated by Nik Ranger, Melbourne, Australia.
The short version: This site collects as little data as possible. Your data is never sold, never shared with advertisers, and never stored with third-party cloud services. This site is self-hosted on a physical server in Melbourne. We do not use Google Analytics, tracking pixels, or advertising cookies.
1. Who We Are
This website is operated by Nik Ranger, an independent SEO consultant and Chair of SEO Collective Australia, based in Melbourne, Victoria. If you have any questions about how your data is handled, contact: [email protected]
2. What Data We Collect & Why
We only collect data when it is strictly necessary for the site to function or for us to communicate with you.
Information You Provide
If you use our speaking enquiry form, we collect your name, email, and event details to respond to you. If you leave a comment, we collect your name, email, and IP address to publish the comment and prevent spam.
Technical Logs
Like all websites, our server automatically logs basic, anonymous data (like your IP address and browser type) when you visit. This is used strictly for security and catching technical errors, and is automatically deleted after 30 days.
Performance & Security
We use Cloudflare to protect the site from bots (via Turnstile, a privacy-friendly CAPTCHA) and to monitor basic, anonymous page load speeds. Cloudflare does not track you across the internet or collect personally identifiable information.
| Data | Purpose | Stored Where | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enquiries & Comments | To respond to you and manage blog comments | Self-hosted server (Melbourne) | Until you ask us to delete it |
| Server request logs | Security and technical diagnostics | Self-hosted server (Melbourne) | Auto-deleted after 30 days |
| Security tokens | Bot protection (Cloudflare Turnstile) | Processed by Cloudflare | Not stored |
4. Third-Party Services
We handle our own data. External services are only used when absolutely necessary for site delivery, and their roles are strictly limited:
Cloudflare — for secure network routing and bot protection.
Gravatar — if you comment, your email is securely hashed and checked against Gravatar to display your profile picture.
Eventbrite — we display SEO Collective events on this site. If you click through to register, you will then be subject to Eventbrite’s privacy policy.
5. Data Storage & Security
All personal data you provide (comments, enquiries) is stored in a self-hosted database on a secure, physical server located in Melbourne, Australia.
We use industry-standard security measures, including HTTPS encryption, secure network access controls, and locally encrypted automated backups. No personal data is ever backed up to third-party cloud services like AWS or Google Drive. In the unlikely event of a data breach, affected individuals will be notified in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act.
6. Your Rights
Under the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the GDPR, you have the right to access, correct, delete, and receive a portable copy of your personal data. To exercise any of these rights, email [email protected]. We will process your request within 30 days.
7. Contact & Complaints
For any privacy-related questions, contact:
Nik Ranger
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
[email protected]
If you are unsatisfied with how a privacy concern has been handled, you have the right to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).