Privacy Policy – Swinger University

Last Updated: October 2025

Swinger University is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data. This privacy policy explains our practices for the website https://swingeruniversity.com and all associated services.

Who We Are

Swinger University operates https://swingeruniversity.com. We are a lifestyle education and community platform providing podcast content, articles, community forums, and resources for adults interested in the swinger lifestyle and ethical non-monogamy.

Our website is hosted on Hostinger. For Hostinger’s privacy practices, visit: https://www.hostinger.com/privacy-policy

Comments

When you leave comments on our site, we collect:

• The information you provide in the comment form
• Your IP address and browser user agent string (used for spam detection and security)
• Your email address (not displayed publicly unless you include it in the comment text)

We use the Gravatar service to display profile pictures with comments. Gravatar creates an anonymized hash from your email address to check if you have an existing Gravatar profile. You can review Gravatar’s privacy practices at https://automattic.com/privacy/. Once your comment is approved, your profile picture will be visible to the public alongside your comment.

Comment Moderation: All comments are reviewed before publication. We retain comments and associated metadata indefinitely to recognize and auto-approve follow-up comments from approved users. Comments are processed through automated spam detection services to protect community integrity.

Newsletter & Email Marketing

What We Collect: When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your name and email address. Newsletter subscription is completely voluntary.

What We Send: You will receive periodic emails containing new articles, podcast episode announcements, community updates, and lifestyle tips. We do not send excessive emails—typically 2-4 per month depending on content availability.

Email Provider: We use EmailOctopus to manage our mailing list. EmailOctopus processes your name and email address according to their privacy policy: https://emailoctopus.com/legal/privacy-policy

Your email address is never shared with third parties or sold to anyone.

Unsubscribing: You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time by:

• Clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email
• Contacting us directly through our website

When you unsubscribe, we remove your email from our mailing list immediately, though it may take up to 48 hours to process.

Analytics & Tracking

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site, including:

• Pages visited
• Time spent on pages
• Device type and browser information
• Geographic location (country/region level)
• User interactions and engagement

Google Analytics uses cookies to track this information. For more details, see Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Opting Out: You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Podcast Hosting & Distribution

Buzzsprout: Our podcast is hosted on Buzzsprout and distributed across major platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.). Buzzsprout collects data about:

• Podcast downloads
• Listening time and patterns
• Listener device information
• IP addresses (for analytics purposes)

Buzzsprout’s privacy policy: https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy

Podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.) also collect listener data according to their individual privacy policies.

Episode Data: We do not collect personally identifiable information through podcast episodes. However, when you download episodes through apps like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, those platforms collect data per their privacy policies.

Media & Images

Image Upload: If you upload images to Swinger University (in comments, forums, or user profiles), please be aware that images may contain embedded location data (EXIF GPS coordinates).

Visitor Extraction: Website visitors can download images from the site and potentially extract embedded location data. We recommend removing all location data and sensitive metadata from images before uploading.

Best Practices:

• Strip EXIF data from images before uploading
• Don’t upload images with identifying information
• Review your image properties before submission

Cookies

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Here’s how:

Comment Cookies:

• If you opt in, we save your name, email, and website in cookies
• These cookies last for one year
• This allows you to skip re-entering details on future comments

Login Cookies:

• When you log in to your account, we set cookies to save your login information
• Login cookies last for two days
• Screen display preference cookies last for one year
• Selecting “Remember Me” extends login persistence to two weeks
• Logging out removes login cookies immediately

Session Cookies:

• A temporary, data-free cookie is set when you visit our login page to verify browser compatibility
• This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser

Editor Cookies:

• If you edit or publish content, we save a cookie containing the post ID
• This cookie expires after one day
• It contains no personal data

Managing Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being set. Note that blocking cookies may affect some site functionality.

Embedded Content

Third-Party Embeds: Articles on Swinger University may contain embedded content from external websites (videos, images, articles, social media posts, etc.). Embedded content behaves as if you’ve directly visited that external website.

Third-Party Data Collection: When you interact with embedded content, the hosting website may:

• Collect data about your visit
• Set cookies and tracking pixels
• Monitor your interactions with the content
• Use additional third-party tracking

Logged-In Users: If you’re logged into a third-party service (YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), that platform may track your interaction with embedded content even on our site.

We do not control these third parties’ data practices. Review their privacy policies for specifics.

Affiliate Links & Travel Brand Partnerships

Affiliate Disclosures: Swinger University contains affiliate links, particularly for travel, lifestyle, and vacation resources. When you click these links and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Affiliate Brands: We partner with the following travel and lifestyle brands:

• Desire Resorts
• Temptations Resorts
• Virgin Voyages
• Bliss Cruises

How Affiliate Tracking Works: Affiliate networks use cookies and tracking pixels to:

• Identify which link you clicked
• Track whether you completed a purchase
• Calculate commissions

These cookies may persist for 30-90 days depending on the affiliate program.

FTC Compliance: We disclose our affiliate relationships as required by the Federal Trade Commission. When you see an affiliate link, know that we may earn a commission if you purchase through that link.

EU/GDPR Notice: Affiliate networks may transfer data internationally. By clicking affiliate links and completing purchases, you acknowledge that your data may be processed by affiliate networks in accordance with their privacy policies.

Affiliate Network Privacy Policies:

• Desire Resorts: https://www.desireresorts.com/privacy
• Temptations Resorts: https://www.temptationsresorts.com/privacy
• Virgin Voyages: https://www.virginvoyages.com/privacy-policy
• Bliss Cruises: [contact affiliate for privacy policy link]

Payment Processing

Patreon: We use Patreon to manage subscriptions and payments for our exclusive Spicy Tier community access. Patreon collects:

• Payment information (processed securely by Stripe)
• Billing address
• Email address
• Account information

Patreon processes this data according to their privacy policy: https://www.patreon.com/privacy

Your Patreon account allows you to connect to our private Discord community. Please review Patreon’s privacy practices regarding payment processing.

Throne: We use Throne for coaching and digital product sales. Throne collects:

• Purchase information
• Email address
• Payment details (processed by Stripe)

Throne’s privacy policy: https://www.throne.com/privacy

Payment Security: Both Patreon and Throne use industry-standard encryption (SSL/TLS) to protect payment information. We do not store credit card numbers on our servers.

Third-Party Service Providers

Below is a complete list of services that may collect your data:

Data We Share

With Service Providers: We share necessary data with the third-party services listed above to provide functionality (email delivery, podcast distribution, payment processing, etc.).

Password Reset Emails: If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email sent to you for security verification purposes.

Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, legal process, or government request.

We Never Sell Your Data: We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Data Retention

Comments: Comments and associated metadata are retained indefinitely. This allows us to:

• Recognize repeat commenters
• Auto-approve comments from trusted users
• Prevent spam and duplicate comments

User Accounts: If you create an account on Swinger University:

• Your personal information (name, email, profile data) is retained as long as your account exists
• You can edit or delete your personal information at any time (except your username)
• Website administrators can also access and modify user information
• Upon account deletion, we remove your data unless required by law

Newsletter Subscribers: Your email remains on our list until you unsubscribe or request removal.

Analytics Data: Google Analytics data is retained for 26 months by default before being automatically deleted.

Cookies: Cookie retention periods vary:

• Comment cookies: 1 year
• Login cookies: 2 days (or 2 weeks with “Remember Me”)
• Screen display cookies: 1 year
• Session cookies: Deleted when browser closes
• Editor cookies: 1 day

Your Data Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Access: You can request a downloadable file of all personal data we hold about you, including data you’ve provided directly.

Correction: You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

Deletion: You can request deletion of your personal data at any time. Exceptions include:

• Information we’re legally required to retain for administrative, legal, or security purposes
• Information needed to fulfill contractual obligations (e.g., Patreon payment records)
• Information needed to resolve disputes

Export: You can request your data in a portable format (CSV, JSON, etc.).

Withdraw Consent: For marketing communications, you can withdraw consent by unsubscribing from emails or updating your account preferences.

How to Exercise Your Rights: Contact us through our website with your request. Include:

• Your name and email address
• The specific right you’re exercising
• Any relevant details about your request

We will respond to valid requests within 30 days, or as required by applicable law.

GDPR Compliance (European Users)

If you are located in the European Union, United Kingdom, or other territories covered by GDPR, the following applies:

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your data based on:

• Consent: For newsletter subscriptions and optional data collection
• Legitimate Interest: For analytics, spam detection, and security
• Contractual Necessity: For Patreon and Throne payment processing
• Legal Obligation: When required by law

Data Protection Officer: We comply with GDPR requirements. For data protection inquiries, contact us through our website.

Your GDPR Rights:

• Right of access (request your data)
• Right of correction (update inaccurate data)
• Right of erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

International Data Transfers: Some of our service providers are located outside the EU and may transfer data internationally. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:

• Standard contractual clauses
• Privacy Shield mechanisms (where applicable)
• Your explicit consent

GDPR Contact Information: For GDPR-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us directly through our website. We will respond within the timeframes required by GDPR (typically 30 days).

CCPA Compliance (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides you with specific rights:

Data Collection: We collect the following categories of personal information:

• Identifiers (name, email, IP address, account ID)
• Commercial information (purchase history via Patreon/Throne)
• Internet activity (browsing history, interactions, cookies)
• Geolocation data (country/region from analytics)
• Inferences (preferences based on activity)

Use of Your Data: We use your data to:

• Provide and improve our services
• Send newsletters and communications
• Process payments
• Conduct analytics
• Detect fraud and maintain security
• Comply with legal obligations

Your CCPA Rights:

• Right to Know: Request what personal information we collect, use, and share
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the “sale” of personal information (we do not sell data for monetary consideration)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: You will not be discriminated against for exercising your CCPA rights

How to Exercise Your Rights: Submit a request through our website with:

• Your name and email
• The specific right you’re exercising
• Verification of your identity

We will verify your request and respond within 45 days.

CCPA “Do Not Sell My Personal Information”: Swinger University does not sell personal information to third parties for monetary consideration. If our practices change, we will provide a prominent “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link on our homepage.

Children’s Privacy

Swinger University is intended for adults only and is not directed to children under 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18.

If we become aware that we have collected information from someone under 18, we will delete that information immediately and terminate their access to our services.

If you believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately through our website.

Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, and destruction, including:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
• Secure password storage
• Limited access to personal data (staff only when necessary)
• Regular security reviews

However, no online transmission is completely secure. By using Swinger University, you acknowledge that you understand and accept these privacy practices and the inherent risks of online communication.

Policy Updates

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws.

How We Notify You:

• Material changes will be announced via email to newsletter subscribers and displayed prominently on our website
• Minor changes may be updated without notice

Your Acceptance: Your continued use of Swinger University after any policy changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated privacy policy.

Archived Policies: Previous versions of this privacy policy are available upon request.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or your personal data, please contact us:

Email: contact@swingeruniversity.com Website: https://swingeruniversity.com

Response Time: We aim to respond to privacy inquiries within 7-10 business days. For GDPR or CCPA requests, we will respond within the timeframes required by law (typically 30-45 days).

Summary: What We Collect & Why

This privacy policy is effective as of October 2025.

Thank you for being part of the Swinger University community!