This Privacy Policy explains how The Update Desk collects, uses, and shares information when you visit theupdatedesk.com.
Last updated: 25 August 2026
Who we are
The Update Desk is a news website at https://theupdatedesk.com. Contact us at hi@theupdatedesk.com or through our contact page.
What we collect
- Comments. If you leave a comment, we collect the information in the comment form, your IP address, and your browser user-agent string to help detect spam. An anonymized hash of your email address may be sent to the Gravatar service to see if you have a profile photo. After a comment is approved, your comment and (if applicable) your Gravatar image are public. Gravatar’s privacy policy is at https://automattic.com/privacy/.
- Accounts. If you register on the site, we store the personal information you provide in your user profile. You can see, edit, or delete that information at any time, except you cannot change your username. Site administrators can also see and edit it.
- Contact messages. If you email hi@theupdatedesk.com or use the contact form, we receive your name, email address, subject, and message so we can reply.
- Media. If you upload images, avoid embedding location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors can download images and extract that data.
Cookies
We and our partners use cookies and similar technologies.
- Comments. If you leave a comment, you may choose to save your name, email address, and website in cookies so you do not have to enter them again. These cookies last one year.
- Login. Visiting the login page sets a temporary cookie to check whether your browser accepts cookies. It contains no personal data and is discarded when you close the browser. When you log in, cookies store your login state and screen display choices. Login cookies last two days, or two weeks if you select “Remember Me.” Screen-option cookies last one year. Logging out removes the login cookies.
- Editing. If you edit or publish an article, a cookie stores the post ID of that article for one day. It contains no personal data.
- Analytics and advertising. Google sets cookies for Analytics and AdSense, described below.
Google Analytics and Site Kit
We use Google Analytics through Google Site Kit to understand how people use this site (pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser, and how you reached the page). This uses cookies and is associated with Google Analytics measurement ID G-0189JR1FQV. Google may process this information on its servers. See Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy. You can opt out of Google Analytics with the browser add-on at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Google AdSense and advertising cookies
We show ads through Google AdSense (publisher ID pub-7728232596382835). Google and its partners use cookies to serve ads, including ads based on your visits to this site or other sites. This can include personalized advertising. Our authorized digital sellers are listed in our ads.txt file at https://theupdatedesk.com/ads.txt.
How Google uses information from sites that use its services: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads. You can adjust ad personalization at https://adssettings.google.com/. You can also visit https://www.aboutads.info/ to opt out of some interest-based advertising.
Embedded content from other websites
Articles may include embedded content (for example videos, images, or posts) from other websites. Embedded content behaves as if you visited the other site. Those sites may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embed.
Who we share data with
We share information with the service providers named in this policy (Google Analytics / Site Kit, Google AdSense, Gravatar, and any automated spam filter used on comments). If you request a password reset, your IP address is included in the reset email.
We do not sell personal data. We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information for money or other valuable consideration.
How long we keep data
Comments and their metadata are kept indefinitely so we can recognize and approve follow-up comments. Account profile data is kept while the account exists. Analytics and advertising data is retained by Google under Google’s own policies.
Your rights
If you have an account on this site or have left comments, you can ask us for a copy of the personal data we hold about you, or ask us to erase it, by emailing hi@theupdatedesk.com. That does not include data we must keep for legal, security, or administrative reasons. While logged in, you can also edit or delete your own profile information except your username.
Where data is processed
This website is hosted on servers that may be located outside your country of residence. Comment text may be checked through an automated spam detection service. Google may process analytics and advertising data in the United States and other countries.
Children
This is a general-interest news site and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do.