Software Insights is published by CloudCounsel Limited (“CloudCounsel”, “we”, “us”), a Salesforce architecture and security consultancy based in Auckland, New Zealand (NZBN 9429 0519 7088 8). We handle personal information under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and its Information Privacy Principles. For any privacy question, email hello@cloudcounsel.co.nz.
What we collect
- Analytics. With your consent, we use Google Analytics 4 to understand how the site is read (pages viewed, approximate location, device and referral data). This is pseudonymous and is not used to identify you. We also use Vercel Analytics, which is cookieless and aggregate. Without analytics consent, Google Analytics runs in a cookieless mode that sets no analytics cookies.
- View counts. We count how many times each post is read. To avoid counting one reader twice, we store a one way hash of your IP address and browser user agent, combined with a secret key and the current date, rather than any of those details themselves. Your IP address is never stored. Because the date forms part of the hash, the value changes every day, so the stored values cannot be linked from one day to the next by anyone reading them. No cookie is involved, so this happens whether or not you allow analytics.
- Claps. If you clap for a post, we store a running total for that post so it can be shown to other readers, and, if you are signed in, a record of your clap against your account.
- Comments. If you post a comment, we store the comment text and any display name you provide so it can be shown on the post.
- Technical data. Our hosting provider records standard server information (such as IP address and request logs) to operate and secure the site.
How we use it
- To measure and improve the site (analytics only where you have consented).
- To display reading signals and any comments you choose to post.
- To keep the site secure and working.
We do not sell your personal information.
Cookies
This site uses the following cookies:
| Cookie | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
cc_consent | Remembers your cookie choices | Strictly necessary | 6 months |
_ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics: distinguishes visitors and sessions | Analytics (consent required) | Up to 24 months |
Analytics cookies are set only if you allow analytics. Before you choose, analytics is denied by default (Google Consent Mode) and no analytics cookies are placed. Google Analytics is a Google product, and how Google handles the data it receives is governed by Google’s privacy policy rather than by this notice. You can change your choice anytime using the control (also in the footer).
Who we share information with
- Vercel: hosting, the database behind view counts, claps and comments, and cookieless analytics.
- Google (Analytics): website analytics, where you have consented.
Some of these providers store or process data on servers outside New Zealand. Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we take reasonable steps, consistent with Information Privacy Principle 12, to ensure it is protected by comparable safeguards.
How long we keep it
Comments remain until you ask us to remove them or we retire the feature. Aggregate view and clap counts are kept while the post is published. View count hashes are kept alongside the view records they belong to so that historical reading trends stay comparable, and because each hash is derived from the date it was created, it stops being usable for recognising a returning reader once that day has passed. Analytics data is retained per our Google Analytics configuration. We do not keep personal information for longer than is necessary.
Your rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020 you can ask us for access to the personal information we hold about you, and request correction of anything wrong. Email hello@cloudcounsel.co.nz and we will respond as soon as reasonably practicable.
International visitors
If you read this site from the European Union or United Kingdom, our cookie consent controls and default-denied analytics are intended to meet the consent expectations of the GDPR and ePrivacy rules. You may withdraw consent at any time using Cookie settings.
Changes
We may update this policy. The “last updated” date above shows when it last changed.
Contact and complaints
Contact us first at hello@cloudcounsel.co.nz. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz.