Privacy Policy
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Overview
The Whats Without is a personal blog that values your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and how we handle it.
We aim to collect only what is necessary to provide you with a good experience on the site, and we never sell your personal information to third parties.
Data We Collect
Account information
When you sign in with Google, we receive and store your name, email address, and profile picture. This information is used to identify you on the site, display your name and avatar alongside your comments, and personalise your experience.
Comments and interactions
When you post comments, replies, or react to articles, we store that content along with your user identity and timestamps. This allows the community features of the site to function.
Puzzle statistics
If you play the word puzzles on article pages, we store your game statistics (such as completion times and scores) so you can track your progress. This data may be stored locally in your browser or synced to your account if you are signed in.
Preferences
Your reading preferences (such as font choice, text size, and layout settings) are stored locally in your browser so they persist between visits.
Analytics
We use Vercel Analytics to understand how visitors use the site. This collects anonymous, aggregated data such as page views and visit duration. No personally identifiable information is collected through analytics.
How We Use It
Your information is used to:
- Display your name and avatar on comments you post
- Allow you to interact with articles through comments, replies, and reactions
- Track your puzzle game progress
- Remember your reading preferences
- Improve the site based on aggregate usage patterns
We do not use your information for advertising, marketing emails, or any purpose beyond what is described here.
Third Parties
Google OAuth
We use Google's authentication service for sign-in. When you choose to sign in, Google shares your basic profile information (name, email, and profile picture) with us. We do not receive your Google password or access to other Google services. You can review Google's privacy policy at policies.google.com/privacy.
Vercel
The site is hosted on Vercel, which may collect standard server logs (IP addresses, browser type, etc.) as part of its hosting infrastructure. Vercel Analytics is used for anonymous usage statistics.
Sanity
Article content is managed through Sanity CMS. Sanity does not have access to your personal information or account data.
Your Rights
You can delete your comments at any time using the delete button on each comment. If you wish to have your account and all associated data removed entirely, please contact us and we will process your request promptly.
Your account data is retained for as long as you have an active account. If you do not sign in for an extended period, your account data remains unless you request deletion.
Cookies
We use essential cookies to keep you signed in and store your session. We also use localStorage to save your reading preferences and puzzle statistics. We do not use tracking cookies or advertising cookies.
Contact
If you have questions about this privacy policy or your personal data, please reach out via the About page.
Also see our Terms of Service