Last updated: 16 October 2026
This page explains what information That Freaky NewGuy (FNG) collects when you visit freakynewguy.net, why, and what choices you have. FNG is run by me, Scott (aka Freaky Newguy), from Sydney. When this page says “I” or “me”, that’s who it means.
The short version
- I don’t sell your personal information. The visitor statistics I look at show totals and trends, not who you are.
- The site uses cookies for statistics (Google Analytics and Jetpack Stats) and for ads (Google AdSense).
- Google and other ad companies may use cookies to show you ads based on your visits to this and other websites. You can turn personalised ads off (see Ads below).
- Some links are affiliate links. They’re labelled, and I earn a commission if you buy through one.
- If you leave a comment or contact me, I keep what you send so I can reply and keep out spam.
Statistics
I use Google Analytics (through Google’s Site Kit plugin) and Jetpack Stats to see how many people visit, which pages they read and how they found the site. These tools collect things like the pages you view, the website that sent you here, your browser and device type, your approximate location (such as your city or country) and which links you click to leave the site. They use cookies to tell new visitors from returning ones.
Google (for Google Analytics) and Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com (for Jetpack Stats), handle this data under their own privacy policies: Google’s privacy policy and Automattic’s privacy policy. You can stop Google Analytics on every website you visit with Google’s opt-out browser add-on.
Ads
This site uses Google AdSense to show ads.
- Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites.
- Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this site and/or other sites on the internet.
- Google and other ad companies may place and read cookies in your browser, or use web beacons (tiny invisible images), to collect information when ads are shown on this site.
- Other ad networks that Google has approved may also show ads here through AdSense. Google lists them on its certified vendors page.
How to turn off personalised ads:
- You can opt out of personalised advertising from Google by visiting Ads Settings.
- You can opt out of many other ad companies’ use of cookies for personalised advertising at www.aboutads.info or, if you’re in Europe, www.youronlinechoices.eu.
You’ll still see ads after opting out, but they won’t be based on your browsing history. To learn more, see how Google uses information from sites that use its services.
Affiliate links
Some posts include affiliate links, labelled “(affiliate link)”. If you click one and buy something, the company pays me a commission at no extra cost to you. When you click, that company may set its own cookie so it knows the sale came from FNG. I see totals such as clicks, sign-ups and commission earned. I don’t get your payment details. Once you’re on the company’s site, its own privacy policy applies.
Comments
When you leave a comment, the site stores the name, email address, website and comment you enter, plus your IP address and browser details to help spot spam. Comments are checked by Akismet, an anti-spam service run by Automattic.
A scrambled version of your email address (called a hash) may be sent to Gravatar to check whether you have a profile picture there. If you do, it appears next to your comment once it’s approved. Gravatar is also run by Automattic and covered by Automattic’s privacy policy. If you tick the box to save your details, your name, email address and website are stored in cookies so you don’t have to type them again next time.
Security and server logs
To protect the site from hacking attempts and spam, the server and two security tools record visitors’ IP addresses and the pages they request. The tools are Wordfence, made by Defiant, and Jetpack’s login protection, made by Automattic. I use these records only to keep the site secure and fix problems. The site runs on a server I rent from RackNerd.
Cookies and your choices
Cookies are small files a website saves in your browser. This site uses them for comments, statistics and ads, and to remember your cookie choice. When I log in to manage the site, WordPress also sets login cookies, which only affect people who log in. The full list is on the Cookie Policy page.
When you first visit, a cookie banner lets you accept all cookies, reject the ones that aren’t essential, or choose by type. Cookies are on unless you reject them. If you click Reject, the site asks Google’s tags not to use cookies for statistics or advertising, using Google’s consent mode. Your choice is remembered for 30 days. To change it sooner, clear this site’s cookies in your browser and the banner will appear again. You can also block cookies in your browser’s settings.
Embedded content and other websites
Posts may include embedded content, such as videos, and links to other websites. Embedded content behaves just as if you’d visited the other website, so that site may collect data about you, use cookies and track how you interact with its content, especially if you’re logged in to it.
Where your information goes
Google, Automattic and Defiant are based in the United States, so information they collect may be stored or processed outside Australia. If you message me on Facebook, Meta’s privacy policy also applies.
How long information is kept
- Comments: kept until you ask me to remove them, so your later comments don’t get stuck waiting for approval.
- Messages to me: kept only as long as I need them to reply.
- Statistics: kept by Google and Automattic under their own retention rules.
- Security logs: kept only as long as needed to protect the site.
Seeing, correcting or deleting your information
You can ask to see, correct or delete the personal information I hold about you, such as a comment you left. Use the form below and I’ll reply within 30 days.
Children
FNG is written for adults and isn’t aimed at children.
Changes to this policy
If I change this policy, I’ll update the date at the top of this page.
Contact me
Questions about your privacy? Use the form below, or message me on the That Freaky New Guy Facebook page.
