Privacy Policy
Last updated: 17 April 2026. The short version: we collect the minimum needed to run the site, we don't sell your data, and you can email us any time to have yours removed.
Introduction
At The AI Dude ("we," "us," "our") we're committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website. If you disagree with anything below, please don't use the site.
What we collect
Information you provide
- Contact info — name and email when you subscribe to the newsletter or send a message via the contact form.
- Communications — the body of any message you send us.
Information collected automatically
- Device info — IP address, browser type, operating system.
- Usage data — pages visited, links clicked, time on page, referring URL.
- Approximate location — derived from IP, not precise GPS.
How we use it
- To operate, maintain, and improve the site.
- To send newsletters and replies to your messages (only with your consent).
- To analyse which pages perform well and where visitors come from.
- To detect abuse, spam, and fraud.
- To comply with legal obligations when they apply.
We never sell your personal information. We don't share your email with any partner, advertiser, or data broker.
Third-party services
We rely on a handful of third parties to run the site. Each has its own privacy policy — we recommend reviewing them directly.
- Buttondown — newsletter delivery; processes your email address when you subscribe.
- Web server & CDN — standard server logs (IP address, browser type, requested page) used to operate the site and detect abuse.
We do not currently run third-party ads or Google Analytics — no Google Analytics, AdSense, or advertising/tracking pixels are loaded on this site. If that changes, this policy will be updated and the "Last updated" date above will reflect it.
Affiliate disclosure
Some outbound links to the tools we cover may be affiliate links — meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up or make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running.
Affiliate relationships never affect our AI Score or rankings. Tools are scored and ordered the same way whether or not we earn from them.
Data security
- HTTPS encrypts every request.
- Hardened servers with restricted access.
- Data minimisation — we don't store what we don't need.
No system is absolutely secure, but we take reasonable precautions and keep our software up to date.
Your rights
- Access — request a copy of the data we hold about you.
- Correction — fix anything inaccurate.
- Deletion — ask us to delete your data (right to be forgotten).
- Opt-out — unsubscribe from newsletters at any time.
- Portability — receive your data in a portable format.
EU residents have additional rights under GDPR, and California residents have rights under CCPA. To exercise any of them, email the address below and we'll respond within 30 days.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or data requests — reach out:
Policy updates
We may update this policy as practices or regulations change. Material changes will be reflected here by updating the "Last updated" date at the top — and, where appropriate, announced in the newsletter.