How We Handle Your Data
Last Updated: February 2025
Look, we're not going to pretend this is exciting reading. But if you're curious about what happens when you visit wiseupstream.com, we'll explain it straight.
We use certain technologies to make the site work properly and understand how people use it. Some of this stuff is necessary for basic functionality. Other bits help us improve what we offer.
What Actually Happens When You Visit
When you land on our site, small data files get stored on your device. These are tracking technologies—most people call them cookies, though there are a few other types too.
They do different things. Some remember your preferences so you don't have to reset everything each time you visit. Others help us figure out which pages people actually read and which ones nobody bothers with.
We're transparent about this because it's your device and your choice.
The Different Types We Use
Essential Functions
These keep the site running. Without them, you couldn't navigate properly or access secure areas. They handle things like your session state and basic security. You can't turn these off without breaking the site.
Functional Preferences
These remember choices you make—like language settings or whether you prefer certain features displayed or hidden. They make your experience more personalized without tracking what you do elsewhere.
Analytics Data
We use these to understand how people interact with our content. Which articles get read completely versus which ones people abandon halfway through. This helps us create better educational material.
Marketing Connections
Sometimes we show you content related to what you've been looking at on our site. These help us understand if our messaging actually resonates with people interested in financial management education.
Taking Control of Your Settings
Current Status: Standard Tracking Active
That button above actually works. When you click it, we'll remove all non-essential tracking from your browser and remember your preference.
About Essential Functions: We can't turn off the essential ones—those keep the site functional. If we disabled them, you'd have a broken experience with security issues. Everything else though? Your call.
Managing Through Your Browser
You can also control this stuff directly through your browser settings. Every major browser lets you block or delete tracking files. Here's roughly how it works:
Standard Browser Controls
- Open your browser's settings menu (usually three dots or lines in the corner)
- Look for Privacy, Security, or similar section
- Find the option for Site Data or Tracking
- You can block all third-party trackers, clear existing data, or set exceptions
- Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" setting you can enable
The exact steps vary between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and others. But they all offer similar controls these days.
What We Actually Track
Let's be specific about what information gets collected when you use wiseupstream.com:
- Which pages you visit and how long you spend reading them
- Where you came from (like if you clicked a link from another site)
- Your general location (city level, not your exact address)
- Device type and browser you're using
- Which links you click and which features you interact with
- Whether you've visited before or if this is your first time
We don't collect personally identifiable information through these tracking methods unless you explicitly provide it (like filling out a contact form). The data helps us understand patterns, not track individuals.
How Long Data Sticks Around
Different types of tracking have different lifespans. Session-based ones disappear when you close your browser. Others might last anywhere from a few days to a couple years.
Analytics data typically gets retained for 26 months so we can spot long-term trends in how people use the site. Marketing trackers usually expire after 90 days. Preference settings stick around until you clear them or change devices.
You can always clear everything manually through your browser settings whenever you want. And remember—clicking that rejection button above removes the non-essential ones right away.
Third-Party Services
We work with some external services that set their own tracking on our site. Google Analytics helps us understand visitor behavior. These partners have their own policies about data handling.
When you reject non-essential tracking using our tool, we signal to these services that you've opted out. But for complete control, you might want to adjust settings in your Google account or use browser extensions designed to block trackers.
Updates to This Approach
Technology changes. Regulations evolve. We might adjust how we handle data as the landscape shifts.
When we make meaningful changes to our tracking practices, we'll update this page and adjust the date at the top. If you've rejected non-essential tracking, your preference stays in effect even after updates—unless you clear your browser data.