Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 2026

Information We Collect

Device and storage: We may store preferences (such as theme and cookie consent) in your browser's local storage. This data stays on your device and is not sent to our servers.

Automatically collected: When you visit machref.com, our servers and third-party services may automatically collect information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, referring URL, pages visited, and approximate geographic location. This information is used for analytics, security, and to deliver advertising.

Cookies and Tracking

Essential cookies: We use cookies necessary for the site to function, such as remembering your cookie consent choice and theme preference.

Analytics (Matomo): We use Matomo, a self-hosted analytics platform, to understand how visitors use our site. Analytics cookies are only loaded after you accept cookies via our consent banner.

Advertising (Google AdSense): We use Google AdSense to display ads. AdSense may use cookies and similar technologies to serve personalized ads. Advertising cookies are only loaded after you accept cookies via our consent banner. If you reject cookies, we will not load AdSense or analytics scripts.

Google AdSense

Google AdSense uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other sites on the Internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting:

Google's use of advertising cookies is governed by the Google Advertising Privacy Policy.

Affiliate Links

We use affiliate links on machref.com. When you click an affiliate link (e.g., Amazon Associates or other programs), the destination site may set cookies on your device. These cookies are governed by the affiliate program's privacy policy, not ours. We do not control what data affiliate partners collect.

Third-Party Services

Data Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect data transmitted to and from our site. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

Children's Privacy

machref.com is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected such information, please contact us and we will delete it.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Request correction or deletion of your data
  • Object to or restrict processing
  • Data portability
  • Withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent)

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected].

California (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete, the right to opt out of sale (we do not sell personal information), and the right to non-discrimination. Contact [email protected] to exercise these rights.

GDPR (European Users)

If you are in the European Economic Area, we process your data based on legitimate interests (site operation, analytics) and, where applicable, consent (advertising and analytics cookies). You have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, data portability, and to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated policy on this page and update the "Last updated" date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact

For privacy-related questions or requests: [email protected]