Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

Intellectual Ignorance ("we," "us," "our," or "Company") operates the website intellectualignorance.com (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our Site.

Introduction and Data Controller

Your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy describes our practices for handling information from students, educators, and visitors who use our educational blog focused on college tips, AI tools, and student resources.

Data Controller: Intellectual Ignorance, located in Canada (Ontario), is responsible for managing your personal data and complying with applicable privacy laws.

What Information We Collect

We collect information in two ways: information you provide directly and information collected automatically.

Information You Provide Voluntarily:

• Email addresses (newsletter signup, contact forms, digital product purchases)

• Name and contact details

• Comments or feedback on blog posts

• Payment information when purchasing digital products through Gumroad or Etsy

• Account information if you create a user account

Information Collected Automatically:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, device type)

• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, referring website)

• Cookies and tracking identifiers

• Analytics data about how you interact with our content

• Location information (approximate, based on IP address)

How We Collect Your Information

Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to understand how you use our Site, remember your preferences, and deliver targeted content.

Third-Party Tools: We use services like Google Analytics, email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, ConvertKit), web hosting analytics, and affiliate tracking pixels to gather usage information.

Affiliate Programs: When you click affiliate links, we collect information about your click and purchase behavior to track commissions.

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for specific, legitimate purposes:

Service Delivery:

• Deliver blog content and educational resources to you

• Process purchases for digital products

• Send newsletters and educational updates (only if you opt-in)

• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support

Analytics and Improvement:

• Analyze how visitors use the Site to improve content quality

• Track which blog topics resonate with our student audience

• Monitor technical performance and fix issues

• Understand student needs and preferences

Marketing and Affiliate Activities:

• Track affiliate link clicks and commission eligibility

• Send promotional content about relevant products or courses (only with your consent)

• Display personalized recommendations based on your interests

Legal Compliance:

• Meet legal obligations in Canada, US, EU, and India

• Comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws

• Protect our rights and investigate violations

Legal Basis for Processing Your Information

Depending on your location, we process your information based on these legal grounds:

For European Residents (GDPR):

• Consent: You've explicitly agreed (like newsletter signup)

• Legitimate Interests: We have a justified business interest that doesn't override your privacy rights (like improving blog content)

• Contractual Necessity: We need data to fulfill purchases or provide services

• Legal Obligation: We're required by law (tax records, fraud prevention)

For California Residents (CCPA):
Your data is processed to deliver our service, improve it, and comply with legal requirements.

Your Data Protection Rights

All Users: You have the right to contact us and request information about your data.

European Residents (GDPR Rights):
If you're in the EU or European Economic Area, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you

• Right to Rectification: Ask us to correct inaccurate information

• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations)

• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your information

• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a portable format

• Right to Object: Object to certain processing activities

• Right to Withdraw Consent: Remove consent you previously gave

To exercise these rights, email us at info@intellectualignorance.com with "Data Subject Access Request" in the subject line.

California Residents (CCPA Rights):
If you're in California, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information is collected and how it's used

• Delete personal information collected from you

• Opt-out of the sale of your personal information (we don't sell data, but you can request confirmation)

• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

Canadian Residents:
Under Canadian privacy laws, you have the right to access, correct, and request deletion of your personal information.

How Long We Retain Your Data

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to provide our services and meet legal obligations.

Retention Periods:

• Email subscribers: Retained until you unsubscribe, then deleted within 30 days

• Digital product purchasers: Retained for 3 years for tax/legal purposes, then deleted

• Website analytics: Retained for up to 2 years

• Contact form submissions: Retained for 1 year unless you request deletion

• Comments and user-generated content: Retained as long as you keep your account active

You can request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal and business requirements.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies? Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and track your activity.

Types We Use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for Site functionality (login, security)

• Analytics Cookies: Track how you use the Site (Google Analytics)

• Marketing Cookies: Track affiliate clicks and ad performance

• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices

Your Cookie Choices:
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, blocking cookies may limit Site functionality.

Do Not Track Signals: If you enable "Do Not Track" in your browser, we respect that preference and limit tracking accordingly.

Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We share your information with carefully selected third parties only as needed:

Payment Processors: Gumroad, Etsy, and payment processors receive purchase information to process transactions

Email Marketing Services: Email providers receive your email address to send newsletters (if opted-in)

Analytics Providers: Google Analytics and web hosting analytics tools receive usage data to help us understand visitor behavior

Affiliate Networks: Amazon Associates and other affiliate programs receive click and purchase data to track commissions

Third-Party Policy: These partners have their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their practices. We encourage you to review their policies.

Data Sharing Restrictions: We do NOT sell or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes. We do NOT share data with data brokers.

Children's Privacy Protection (Ages 13-17) – CRITICAL

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS:

Intellectual Ignorance is designed for students ages 13 and up. We take children's privacy very seriously.

For Users Under 13:
We do NOT knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If we discover a user under 13 has provided information, we will DELETE it immediately and contact the parent/guardian.

For Users Ages 13-17:
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE for their minor's use of this Site. We treat data from minors with extra care and limit marketing communications. However, we are NOT liable for:

• Content viewed by minors

• Purchases made by minors

• Data provided by minors

• Any harm or losses from minor's use

Parental Rights: If you believe we've collected data from your child without consent, contact us immediately at info@intellectualignorance.com. We will delete within 5 business days.

By using this Site if you're 13-17, you confirm your parent/guardian has approved your use and consents to this policy.

International Data Transfers

Since we're in Canada but serve a global audience, your data may be transferred to and stored in Canada, the United States, or other countries.

GDPR Compliance: If you're in the EU, transfers are made under appropriate safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses.

Your Consent: By using this Site, you consent to your data being transferred internationally as described.

Security of Your Information

We implement security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• SSL encryption for data in transit

• Secure password storage

• Limited access to personal information

• Regular security reviews and updates

No Guarantee: While we use industry-standard security, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

Your Choices and Opt-Out Options

Email Communications: You can unsubscribe from newsletters by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link in any email or contacting us.

Cookies: Manage cookies through your browser settings or our cookie preference tool (if available).

Analytics: Opt-out of Google Analytics using Google's opt-out browser extension.

Affiliate Tracking: You can use privacy-focused browsers or ad blockers to limit affiliate tracking.

Affiliate Marketing and Cookie Tracking

Our Affiliate Relationships:
Intellectual Ignorance participates in affiliate marketing programs including Amazon Associates. We earn commissions when you click affiliate links and make purchases at no additional cost to you.

Affiliate Cookies:
Affiliate networks use cookies and tracking pixels to identify clicks and purchases. These cookies:

• Allow us to track which products drive sales

• Enable commission calculations

• Persist for 24-90 days depending on the program

• Are third-party cookies (not controlled by us)

You can block these through browser settings or privacy tools, though this may prevent commission tracking.

Email Marketing Compliance (CAN-SPAM)

If you receive emails from us:

• All emails include our physical address

• Subject lines are honest and not deceptive

• Each email includes a clear unsubscribe link

• We honor unsubscribe requests within 10 business days

GDPR and CCPA Compliance Summary

GDPR (For European Users): We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation by collecting only necessary data, providing transparency, honoring user rights, and implementing data protection by design.

CCPA (For California Users): We comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act by disclosing data practices, honoring deletion requests, and not discriminating against users who exercise their rights.

Important Note: GDPR means you have strong privacy protections and control over your data. CCPA means similar protections in California. You can always request what data we have and ask for it to be deleted.

Third-Party Links

Our Site contains links to external websites, educational resources, and affiliate partners. We're not responsible for their privacy practices.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit through our links.

Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in law, technology, or our practices.

Changes: Updates will be posted on this page with a new "Last Updated" date.

Your Responsibility: Review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance of updates.

Contact Us & Data Protection Authority

Questions About This Privacy Policy:
Email: info@intellectualignorance.com
Contact Page: https://intellectualignorance.com/contact
Business Address: Ontario, Canada

To Request Data Access or Deletion:
Email us with "Privacy Request" in the subject line and specify what you need (access, deletion, correction, portability).

File a Complaint:

• EU Residents: Contact your national data protection authority

• California Residents: File a complaint with the California Attorney General

• Canadian Residents: Contact your provincial privacy commissioner

Data Protection Officer Contact

For GDPR-related inquiries, you may contact our Data Protection Officer (if required by your jurisdiction).

Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will:

• Notify affected users within 30 days

• Provide information about the breach

• Suggest steps to protect your information

• Notify regulatory authorities as required by law

BY USING INTELLECTUAL IGNORANCE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY.