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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 15, 2026

Black Nerd Problems (“Black Nerd Problems,” “BNP,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, and the choices and rights you have. It applies to https://blacknerdproblems.com and our related content, newsletters, podcasts, community features, and services (the “Services”).

We are based in Maryland, United States, and primarily serve a U.S. audience. If you visit from outside the United States, please see the International Visitors and GDPR sections below.

By using the Services, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Contact and subscription data: name and email address when you subscribe to newsletters, contact us, or sign up for an account
  • Account data: username, password, and profile details if you create an account
  • Community content: comments, posts, and other content you submit
  • Payment data: if you make a purchase or pay for a membership, billing details processed by our third-party payment processors (we generally do not store full card numbers)
  • Communications: information you include when you email or message us

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you use the Services, we and our service providers may automatically collect:

  • Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring/exit pages, pages viewed, links clicked, and timestamps
  • Cookies and similar technologies: see our Cookie Policy for details
  • Approximate location: derived from your IP address
  • Analytics data: how you interact with our content

1.3 Information From Third Parties

  • Analytics and advertising partners
  • Social media and embedded platforms (for example, when you interact with YouTube, Spotify, X, or TikTok embeds)
  • Payment processors and fulfillment partners (for purchases)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

  • Operate, maintain, and improve the Services
  • Deliver content, newsletters, podcasts, and community features
  • Process registrations, memberships, purchases, and transactions
  • Respond to your inquiries and provide support
  • Personalize content and recommendations
  • Measure and analyze traffic, engagement, and performance
  • Serve and measure advertising, including affiliate and sponsored content
  • Send marketing and promotional communications (with your consent where required)
  • Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security issues, and technical problems
  • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms

Legal Bases (for EEA/UK Visitors)

Where the EU or UK General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) applies, we rely on the following legal bases: your consent (for example, marketing emails and non-essential cookies); performance of a contract (for example, providing memberships you purchase); our legitimate interests (for example, securing and improving the Services); and legal obligations.

3. Cookies, Analytics, and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, web beacons, and similar technologies to operate the site, remember preferences, analyze usage, and support advertising.

  • Analytics tools: we use analytics services such as [e.g., Google Analytics] to understand how visitors use the Services. These tools may set cookies and collect usage data. You can learn more and opt out via the relevant provider’s tools (for example, the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on).
  • Advertising and affiliate tracking: advertising and affiliate partners may use cookies and identifiers to measure performance and show relevant ads.

For full details and your choices, see our Cookie Policy.

4. Sponsored Content, Affiliate Links, and Advertising

Some content is sponsored or contains affiliate links, and we may display advertising. We disclose these relationships consistent with FTC guidelines. Advertising and affiliate partners may collect data about your interactions through cookies and similar technologies, governed by their own privacy policies.

5. Email Marketing

If you subscribe to our newsletters or opt in to marketing, we will send you emails. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email or by contacting us. We comply with the CAN-SPAM Act. We may still send you transactional or account-related messages.

6. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information for money. We may share information as follows:

  • Service providers: vendors who help us operate the Services (hosting, analytics, email delivery, payment processing, customer support, content delivery), under contracts that limit their use of your data
  • Advertising and affiliate partners: as described above and in our Cookie Policy (note: some sharing for targeted advertising may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” under California and other state laws, see Section 9)
  • Embedded third-party platforms: when you interact with embeds (YouTube, Spotify, X, TikTok, etc.), those platforms may receive data directly
  • Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets
  • Legal and safety: to comply with law, respond to legal requests, enforce our Terms, or protect rights, safety, and property
  • With your consent: when you direct us to share

7. Third-Party Services and Embeds

The Services link to and embed third-party content and tools. These third parties have their own privacy practices, which we do not control. We encourage you to review their policies. Embedded media may load scripts and cookies that collect data even if you do not click on them.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy, including to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods vary by data type. For example, we may keep subscriber data until you unsubscribe and for a reasonable period afterward, and transaction records as required by tax and accounting laws. When information is no longer needed, we delete or anonymize it.

9. Your U.S. State Privacy Rights (Including California CCPA/CPRA)

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under state privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CCPA/CPRA”), and similar laws in states such as Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Texas, and others.

9.1 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

  • Know / Access: request the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you
  • Delete: request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions
  • Correct: request correction of inaccurate personal information
  • Opt out of sale/sharing: opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising
  • Limit use of sensitive personal information: to the extent we use such information beyond permitted purposes
  • Non-discrimination: we will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights

Categories of information we may collect include identifiers (such as name, email, IP address), internet/network activity (browsing and usage data), approximate geolocation, commercial information (purchases), and inferences. We collect these for the business purposes described in Section 2.

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Some of our advertising and analytics activity may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” under California law. To opt out, use the Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information link in our website footer, adjust your cookie preferences via our consent banner, or send a request to [PRIVACY EMAIL]. We also honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where required.

9.2 Other State Residents

Residents of other states with comprehensive privacy laws may have similar rights to access, delete, correct, and opt out of targeted advertising and certain processing. Use the contact details in Section 14 to exercise these rights.

9.3 How to Exercise Your Rights and Verification

To make a request, contact us at [PRIVACY EMAIL]. We will verify your identity before fulfilling your request and respond within the timeframes required by applicable law. You may use an authorized agent where permitted.

10. GDPR Rights (EEA and UK Visitors)

If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have the right to:

  • Access, correct, update, or request deletion of your personal data
  • Object to or restrict certain processing
  • Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting prior processing)
  • Data portability
  • Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise these rights, contact us at [PRIVACY EMAIL]. We respond consistent with the GDPR.

11. International Data Transfers

We are based in the United States, and your information will be processed and stored in the U.S. and other countries that may have data protection laws different from your own. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) for international transfers.

12. Children’s Privacy (COPPA)

The Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”). If you believe a child under 13 has provided us personal information, please contact us at [PRIVACY EMAIL] and we will delete it. For users between 13 and 18, we encourage parental guidance, and additional protections may apply under California and other state laws.

13. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential. If we become aware of a security incident affecting your personal information, we will notify you and the appropriate authorities as required by law.

14. Contact Us

For privacy questions or to exercise your rights, contact:

Black Nerd Problems Email:info@blacknerdproblems.com

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will update the “Last Updated” date and, for material changes, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.