Privacy Policy
20131125_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20120806_rev01 · ARCHIVE SNAPSHOT, DATE APPROXIMATE
Full text changes — 20120806_rev01 to 20131125_rev01
| 12 | 12 | Automattic Inc. ("**Automattic**") operates several websites including [automattic.com](http://www.automattic.com/), [wordpress.com](http://www.wordpress.com/), [gravatar.com](http://www.gravatar.com/), [intensedebate.com](http://www.intensedebate.com/), and [akismet.com](http://www.akismet.com/). It is Automattic's policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect while operating our websites. |
| 13 | 13 | |
| 14 | 14 | ### Website Visitors |
| 15 | 15 | |
| 16 | 16 | Like most website operators, Automattic collects non-personally-identifying information of the sort that web browsers and servers typically make available, such as the browser type, language preference, referring site, and the date and time of each visitor request. Automattic's purpose in collecting non-personally identifying information is to better understand how Automattic's visitors use its website. From time to time, Automattic may release non-personally-identifying information in the aggregate, e.g., by publishing a report on trends in the usage of its website. |
| 17 | 17 | |
| 18 | Automattic also collects potentially personally-identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for logged in users and for users leaving comments on WordPress.com blogs. Automattic only discloses logged in user and commenter IP addresses under the same circumstances that it uses and discloses personally-identifying information as described below, except that blog commenter IP addresses are visible and disclosed to the administrators of the blog where the comment was left. | |
| 18 | Automattic also collects potentially personally-identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for logged in users and for users leaving comments on WordPress.com blogs. Automattic only discloses logged in user and commenter IP addresses under the same circumstances that it uses and discloses personally-identifying information as described below, except that blog commenter IP addresses and email addresses are visible and disclosed to the administrators of the blog where the comment was left. | |
| 19 | 19 | |
| 20 | 20 | ### Gathering of Personally-Identifying Information |
| 21 | 21 | |
| 22 | 22 | Certain visitors to Automattic's websites choose to interact with Automattic in ways that require Automattic to gather personally-identifying information. The amount and type of information that Automattic gathers depends on the nature of the interaction. For example, we ask visitors who sign up for a blog at [WordPress.com](http://www.wordpress.com/) to provide a username and email address. Those who engage in transactions with Automattic - by purchasing access to the Akismet comment spam prevention service, for example - are asked to provide additional information, including as necessary the personal and financial information required to process those transactions. In each case, Automattic collects such information only insofar as is necessary or appropriate to fulfill the purpose of the visitor's interaction with Automattic. Automattic does not disclose personally-identifying information other than as described below. And visitors can always refuse to supply personally-identifying information, with the caveat that it may prevent them from engaging in certain website-related activities. |
| 23 | 23 | |
| 24 | 24 | ### Aggregated Statistics |
| 48 | 48 | ### Privacy Policy Changes |
| 49 | 49 | |
| 50 | 50 | Although most changes are likely to be minor, Automattic may change its Privacy Policy from time to time, and in Automattic's sole discretion. Automattic encourages visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to its Privacy Policy. If you have a WordPress.com account, you should also check your blog's dashboard for alerts to these changes. Your continued use of this site after any change in this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of such change. |
| 51 | 51 | |
| 52 | 52 | **Change log:** |
| 53 | 53 | |
| 54 | - _September 18, 2013:_ Added that blog commenter email addresses are disclosed to administrators of the blog where the comment was left. | |
| 54 | 55 | - _February 1, 2011:_ Clarified subpoena language and added Business Transfers paragraph |
| 55 | 56 | - _January 3, 2011:_ Added court order and subpoena clarification |
| 56 | 57 | - _July 1, 2010:_ Revised paragraph about IP addresses to explain when they are collected and that commenter IPs are visible to blog administrators |
| 57 | 58 | - _October 29, 2009:_ Added Comments paragraph to explain Akismet comment storage policy |
| 58 | 59 | - _March 10, 2009:_ Added Ads paragraph to alert users that ads from third parties may use cookies |