You agree to the privacy policy below, and the Privacy Policy for Substack, the technology provider.
Privacy Policy for Usurpian Awareness Substack
Effective Date: [March 26, 2025]
Atotsm ("Publisher," "we," "us," or "our") operates the Usurpian Awareness Substack publication ("Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Substack publication, subscribe to our newsletter, or interact with our content, including links to external resources like Gumroad.
This policy should be read in conjunction with Substack's own Privacy Policy, as Substack provides the platform and handles core functionalities like email delivery and payment processing (if applicable).
1. Information We Collect
We may collect information about you in a variety of ways. The information we may collect via the Service depends on the content and materials you use, and includes:
Personal Data Provided by You:
Email Address: We collect your email address when you subscribe to the Service. This is essential for delivering newsletter posts.
Name (Optional): You may optionally provide your name when subscribing or commenting.
Comments and Interactions: Information you provide when commenting on posts or interacting within Substack community features.
Direct Communications: Information you provide when contacting us directly via email or other methods mentioned.
Feedback (Optional): Information you might provide if you choose to respond to surveys or feedback requests (e.g., via a linked Google Form).
Data Collected Automatically (Primarily by Substack):
Usage Data: Substack automatically collects information about your interaction with the Service, such as which posts you open, links you click within emails, IP address, browser type, operating system, and access times. We have access to aggregated and anonymized versions of some of this data via Substack's analytics dashboard to understand reader engagement.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Substack uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to manage subscriptions, track usage, and personalize experience. Please refer to Substack's Cookie Policy for details.
Information from Third Parties:
Gumroad: If you purchase or download resources from our linked Gumroad store (https://zipcadia.gumroad.com), Gumroad will process your transaction and collect information according to their own Privacy Policy. We may receive basic transaction information (like purchaser email and item purchased) from Gumroad for record-keeping and potential follow-up related to the specific resource. We do not receive or store your payment card details.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect (or have access to) for purposes including:
To operate and maintain the Service.
To send you newsletter posts, updates, and other communications related to Usurpian Awareness.
To manage your subscription and account.
To respond to your comments, questions, and requests.
To understand reader engagement and improve the Service using aggregated analytics provided by Substack.
To facilitate the distribution of resources via third-party platforms like Gumroad.
To gather feedback (if you choose to provide it) to improve content and resources.
To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.
3. Legal Basis for Processing (For users in GDPR territories)
Our legal basis for collecting and using the personal information described above will depend on the personal information concerned and the specific context in which we collect it. However, we will normally collect personal information from you only where we have your consent to do so (e.g., subscribing to the newsletter), where we need the personal information to perform a contract with you (less common for a typical Substack, perhaps relevant if paid tiers exist), or where the processing is in our legitimate interests and not overridden by your data protection interests or fundamental rights and freedoms (e.g., using Substack analytics to improve the service).
4. Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information we have collected about you in certain situations:
With Service Providers: Primarily with Substack, which hosts the publication, manages subscriptions, and delivers emails according to their policies.
With Third-Party Platforms: With Gumroad (or similar platforms) when you choose to access resources hosted there. Their use of your data is governed by their privacy policy.
By Law or to Protect Rights: If we believe the release of information about you is necessary to respond to legal process, to investigate or remedy potential violations of our policies, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of others, we may share your information as permitted or required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation.
With Your Consent: We may disclose your personal information for any other purpose with your consent.
5. Security of Your Information
We rely on Substack's platform security measures to help protect your information. While Substack uses administrative, technical, and physical security measures, and we endeavor to use platforms with reasonable security, please be aware that despite our efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse. Any information disclosed online is vulnerable to interception and misuse by unauthorized parties.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information (primarily your email address if subscribed) for as long as you remain subscribed to the Service or as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. You can unsubscribe at any time. Data handled by Substack or Gumroad is subject to their respective retention policies.
7. Your Data Protection Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following data protection rights:
The right to access, correct, update, or request deletion of your personal information.
The right to object to processing of your personal information, ask us to restrict processing of your personal information, or request portability of your personal information.
The right to opt-out of marketing communications (unsubscribe) at any time.
If we have collected and process your personal information with your consent, then you can withdraw your consent at any time.
You can exercise most of these rights through your Substack account settings or by using the "unsubscribe" link in emails. For other requests, please contact us using the details below.
8. Children's Privacy
The Service is not intended for use by children under the age of 13 (or 16 in some jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under these ages. If you become aware that a child has provided us with Personal Information, please contact us.
9. International Transfers
Your information, including personal data, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ from those of your jurisdiction. This is inherent in using platforms like Substack and Gumroad which operate globally.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
By email: [atotsm@substack.com]