// PRIVACY POLICY

How this site collects, uses, and protects your data.

Last updated: February 26, 2026

1. Who We Are

This website is operated by Tyler Johnson, trading as TJ The Programmer ("we", "us", "our"). We provide software development, game development, and tutoring services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you visit tjtheprogrammer.com.

For privacy-related requests, contact us at: contact@tjtheprogrammer.com

2. Information We Collect

Contact Form

When you submit the contact form on this site (powered by Ninja Forms), we collect your name, email address, and the contents of your message. This information is stored in our WordPress database and used solely to respond to your inquiry.

Google Forms

Some pages on this site embed forms hosted by Google Forms. When you submit a Google Form, your data is processed and stored by Google LLC. We receive submitted responses in Google Drive/Sheets. Google's data collection is governed by the Google Privacy Policy.

Analytics

This site uses WP Slimstat to collect visitor analytics. This may include your IP address (truncated), pages visited, time on site, browser type, operating system, screen resolution, and referring URL. Analytics data is stored on our own server and is not shared with third parties.

Cookies

We use cookies to operate the site and measure traffic. See Section 5 for a full list.

3. How We Use Your Data

  • To respond to contact form and Google Form submissions
  • To filter spam from form submissions (via Akismet)
  • To understand how visitors use the site and improve its content
  • To serve the site efficiently via performance caching (Hummingbird)

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Third-Party Service Providers

Google

Google Forms is used to collect certain form submissions. Data submitted is processed by Google LLC under their Privacy Policy.

Akismet / Automattic

Contact form submissions are checked against the Akismet spam-filtering service, operated by Automattic Inc. Submitted data (including name, email address, IP address, and message content) may be sent to Akismet's servers for spam analysis. See the Automattic Privacy Policy.

WP Slimstat

Visitor analytics are handled by WP Slimstat. Data is stored on our own server and is not transmitted to external analytics services.

Hummingbird

Site performance and caching is handled by the Hummingbird plugin. It may set functional cookies to serve cached pages efficiently.

5. Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored by your browser. We use the following:

  • wordpress_*, wordpress_logged_in_* — WordPress session authentication cookies. Set only for logged-in admin users. Category: Essential.
  • wp-settings-* — Stores WordPress admin UI preferences. Set only for logged-in admin users. Category: Essential.
  • cookielawinfo-checkbox-*, CookieLawInfoConsent — Records your cookie consent choices. Expires after 1 year. Category: Essential.
  • slimstat_tracking_code — Used by WP Slimstat to distinguish unique visitors for analytics purposes. Category: Analytics.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings or via the cookie consent banner shown on your first visit. Disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.

6. Data Retention

  • Contact form submissions: retained in the WordPress database until manually deleted.
  • Google Forms responses: retained in Google Drive until manually deleted.
  • Analytics data (Slimstat): retained for up to 12 months, then automatically purged.
  • Cookie consent records: retained for 1 year.

7. Your Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of access — request a copy of the data we hold about you
  • Right to rectification — request correction of inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure — request deletion of your personal data
  • Right to object — object to processing of your data
  • Right to data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format

To exercise any of these rights, email contact@tjtheprogrammer.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Your Rights (CCPA — California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

  • Right to know — request disclosure of what personal information we collect, use, and share
  • Right to delete — request deletion of your personal information
  • Right to opt out of sale — we do not sell personal information
  • Right to non-discrimination — we will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights

9. Children's Privacy

This site is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted data to us, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

10. External Links

This site contains links to external websites including YouTube, GitLab, and LinkedIn. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before submitting any personal information.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact

For any questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, contact: contact@tjtheprogrammer.com