ECHO-STATE Compendium ("ESC_Network", "we", "us") respects your privacy and treats your data with the same scrutiny we apply to our Meta-Scores. This policy explains, in plain language, what information we collect, why we collect it, how long we keep it, and the control you retain over it at every step.
We have written this document to be read, not endured. If anything here is unclear, open a Comms Channel and a human will answer. This policy applies to every page served under the ECHO-STATE Compendium domain and to every form, newsletter and interactive feature on it.
1. Data we collect
We collect only what you choose to give us, and nothing that we do not genuinely need to run the service. Specifically:
- Newsletter sign-ups store the email address you submit, plus the date you subscribed so we can honor unsubscribe requests and prove consent.
- Comms Channel transmissions store the name, email, subject and message you send, so an analyst can read and respond to your signal.
- Technical request data — such as a truncated IP address, browser type and the page requested — is logged transiently for security, abuse-prevention and performance diagnostics.
We do not ask for, and you should never send us, sensitive data such as passwords, payment-card numbers or government identifiers. The Compendium has no user accounts and no login, so there are no credentials for us to hold.
2. How we use it
Email addresses are used solely to deliver the newsletter you explicitly requested, and to confirm that request. Comms transmissions are used only to read, investigate and respond to the message you sent — for example, to verify a disputed Meta-Score or follow up on a tip. Technical logs are used to keep the site online, fast and free of abuse.
We do not sell, rent, trade or otherwise disclose your personal data to third parties for their own marketing. We do not build advertising profiles, and we do not track you across other websites.
3. Legal basis for processing
Where data-protection law (such as the GDPR) applies, we rely on your consent for the newsletter and analytics cookies, and on our legitimate interest in operating a secure, functional website for essential request logging. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing that took place before withdrawal.
4. Cookies & local storage
We use a single consent flag stored in your browser's localStorage to remember your cookie choice so we
do not ask again on every visit. Strictly necessary storage like this is always active because the site cannot
function correctly without it. Analytics cookies, if any, are only set after you accept, and declining does
not limit your access to any content. You can clear these values at any time from your browser settings.
5. Data storage & security
Submissions are written to access-controlled flat files on our server, reachable only by authorized operators. We apply reasonable technical and organizational measures — restricted access, server hardening and transport encryption — to protect your data against loss, misuse or unauthorized access. No method of transmission or storage is ever perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security, but we treat any incident seriously and will notify affected users where the law requires it.
6. Data retention
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected. Newsletter emails are retained until you unsubscribe. Comms transmissions are retained while we resolve your request and for a short reference period afterward, then deleted. Technical logs are rotated and discarded on a short cycle. When data is no longer needed, it is permanently removed.
7. Third-party services
Some assets — such as web fonts, icon libraries and animation scripts — are delivered from reputable third-party content networks. These providers may receive your IP address as a technical necessity of serving the file. We choose providers that maintain their own privacy commitments, and we do not share any form data with them.
8. Children's privacy
The Compendium is intended for a general gaming audience and is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has sent us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.
9. Your rights
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data at any time by opening a Comms Channel. Depending on your location you may also have the right to object to or restrict processing, to withdraw consent, and to data portability. We will respond to verified requests within a reasonable period and will not charge you for exercising these rights.
10. International transfers
Our infrastructure may process data in a country different from your own. Where we transfer personal data across borders, we take steps to ensure it remains protected to a standard consistent with this policy.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the service evolves or as the law changes. Material changes will be reflected in the "last updated" date at the top of this page, and significant changes may be announced through the newsletter. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
12. Contact
Questions, concerns or formal data requests about this policy can be sent through our Comms Channel. We aim to acknowledge every privacy enquiry promptly and to resolve it transparently.