Introduction

The Blockchain History ("we," "us," or "the Site") is a non-commercial academic archive devoted to the historical and technical study of blockchain technology. This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, how third-party advertising partners (including Google) may use cookies, and what choices and legal rights you have.

By using the Site, you acknowledge that you have read this policy. If you do not agree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Site.

Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information to operate, secure, and improve the Site:

1. Account Information — Name, email address, and other details you provide when creating an account or subscribing to updates.
2. Usage Data — Pages viewed, features accessed, session duration, referral URLs, and interaction patterns, collected through server logs and analytics tools.
3. Device and Technical Information — Browser type, operating system, device category, language preference, and approximate geographic region derived from IP address (city/country level).
4. Cookies and Similar Technologies — Small data files and identifiers stored on your device to remember preferences, measure traffic, and support advertising. See the sections below for details.
5. Payment Information — Where applicable, billing details are processed by trusted third-party payment processors. We do not store full card numbers on our servers.
6. Communications — Content of messages you send to our editorial team, including correction requests and media inquiries.

How We Use Your Information

We use collected data to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Site and its archival content.
• Authenticate users and manage account settings.
• Process transactions and send related confirmations.
• Send technical notices, security alerts, and editorial updates (where you have opted in).
• Respond to correction requests, feedback, and support inquiries.
• Measure readership, diagnose performance issues, and understand audience interests.
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access.
• Display advertisements through third-party ad networks, including Google AdSense.

Google AdSense & Third-Party Advertising

The Site uses third-party advertising services, including Google AdSense, to display advertisements. These services may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this Site and/or other websites on the Internet.

How Google uses advertising cookies. Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on the Site. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this Site and/or other sites on the Internet. This may include interest-based (personalized) advertising.

Your choices regarding personalized advertising. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting:

• Google Ads Settings — manage Google's ad personalization preferences for your Google account and browser.
• aboutads.info choices — opt out of interest-based advertising from participating third-party ad networks in the United States and other jurisdictions.

Please note that even if you opt out of personalized advertising, you may still see ads on the Site; those ads may simply be less relevant to your interests.

Other third-party vendors. Additional advertising partners may serve ads through the Site and may use their own cookies or web beacons. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those vendors. You can learn more about how Google uses data from partner sites at Google's Privacy & Terms.

Cookie Categories

We and our partners may use the following types of cookies:

| Category | Purpose | | --- | --- | | Strictly Necessary | Enable core site functions such as authentication, security, and load balancing. | | Functional | Remember language preferences and display settings. | | Analytics | Measure traffic patterns and content performance in aggregate. | | Advertising | Deliver and measure ads, including personalized ads via Google AdSense and other networks. |

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may limit Site functionality.

Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share data only in these limited circumstances:

• Service providers — Hosting, analytics, email delivery, payment processing, and advertising partners (including Google) who assist in operating the Site, bound by contractual confidentiality and data-processing obligations.
• Legal compliance — To comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or enforceable governmental request.
• Protection of rights — To protect the rights, property, or safety of the Site, our users, or the public.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Account data is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter. Server logs and analytics data are typically retained in aggregated or anonymized form.

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures, including encryption in transit (TLS/HTTPS), access controls, and periodic security reviews. No method of transmission or storage over the Internet is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security but work continuously to protect your information.

Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

All Users

• Access and portability — Request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
• Correction — Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion — Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal exceptions.
• Objection and restriction — Object to certain processing or request that processing be restricted.
• Withdraw consent — Where processing is based on consent, withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

You may exercise these rights through your account settings (where available) or by contacting us at editor@theblockchainhistory.com.

European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom (GDPR)

If you are located in the EEA or UK, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• The right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
• The right to receive information about the legal basis for processing and data retention periods.
• The right to object to processing based on legitimate interests, including profiling for direct marketing.

Legal bases for processing. We process personal data on the following bases: (a) performance of a contract (account services); (b) legitimate interests (Site security, analytics, and non-intrusive archival operations); (c) consent (marketing communications and non-essential cookies); and (d) legal obligation.

Cookie consent. Where required by law, we present a cookie consent mechanism before placing non-essential cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time through your browser settings or our cookie preferences tool (where available).

California Residents (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to know — Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected, the sources, purposes, and third parties with whom it is shared.
• Right to delete — Request deletion of personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to correct — Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Right to opt out of sale or sharing — We do not sell personal information. Advertising cookies used by Google AdSense may constitute "sharing" for cross-context behavioral advertising under CPRA. You may opt out via Google Ads Settings and aboutads.info.
• Right to non-discrimination — We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

To submit a verifiable consumer request, email editor@theblockchainhistory.com with the subject line "CCPA Request." We will respond within 45 days as required by law.

International Data Transfers

The Site may be hosted on servers located outside your country of residence. Where personal data is transferred internationally, we take appropriate safeguards — such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms — to ensure your data receives an adequate level of protection.

Children's Privacy

The Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a child, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our practices. Material changes will be indicated by updating the date at the top of this page. Where appropriate, we will provide additional notice through the Site.

Contact Us

For privacy-related questions, data subject requests, or concerns about advertising cookies, contact:

Email: editor@theblockchainhistory.com

Site: The Blockchain History — theblockchainhistory.com

We aim to acknowledge inquiries within 24–48 hours and resolve verifiable requests within the timeframes required by applicable law.