Last updated: September 26, 2026
Odd Random Thoughts (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website oddrandomthoughts.com (the “Site”). This page explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. We have tried to write it in plain language rather than legal jargon.
By using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
Who We Are
Odd Random Thoughts is an independent blog about strange and unusual facts, folklore, superstitions, the unexplained and the paranormal. The Site is primarily a publication. It does not sell products or services, and you do not need to create an account to read it.
What We Collect
We collect very little directly. Most of the information connected to your visit is collected automatically by the tools that run and measure the Site.
Information collected automatically. Like most websites, when you visit the Site our servers and service providers may record:
- Your IP address.
- The type of browser and device you use.
- Your operating system.
- The pages you visit, the time of your visit, and how long you spend.
- The referring page or source that brought you here.
This information is used in aggregate to understand how the Site is used, keep it secure, and improve it. It is not used to identify you personally.
Information you provide. The Site has no public comments, no contact form, and no user registration. As a result, we do not normally collect your name or email address. If you email us directly, we will have your email address and whatever you choose to include in your message, and we will use it only to reply to you.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device. We and our service providers use cookies and similar technologies, such as local storage, for the following purposes:
- Analytics: to measure how many people visit the Site and which pages they read.
- Advertising: if and when advertising is shown, to serve and measure ads (see “Advertising and Third-Party Vendors” below).
- Performance and security: to deliver the Site quickly, protect it from abuse, and keep it running reliably.
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you block or remove cookies. Doing so will not stop you from reading the Site.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use the Site. Google Analytics sets cookies and collects information such as your IP address, device and browser details, and the pages you view. This data is used in aggregate to produce reports about Site traffic and usage.
You can learn how Google uses information from sites that use its services at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
You can opt out of Google Analytics across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
We also use New Relic, a website performance and error-monitoring service, to keep the Site fast and reliable. New Relic collects technical information about page performance and errors.
Log Files
We, and the companies that host and deliver the Site, keep standard server log files. These record IP addresses, browser type, internet service provider, timestamps, referring pages and exit pages. This is standard practice and is used for security, troubleshooting and traffic analysis.
Advertising and Third-Party Vendors
We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit the Site. These companies may use information about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services that may be of interest to you.
- Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites.
- Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this Site and/or other sites on the internet.
- You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings.
- Alternatively, you can opt out of a third-party vendor’s use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting aboutads.info.
Google’s Ads Settings are at google.com/settings/ads. You can opt out of some third-party vendors’ use of cookies for personalized advertising at aboutads.info/choices.
If you have not opted out of third-party ad serving, the cookies of other third-party vendors or ad networks may also be used to serve ads on the Site.
Note that deleting cookies does not mean you are permanently opted out of any advertising program. Unless you have settings that disallow cookies, a new cookie may be added the next time you visit a site running those advertisements.
Third-Party Links
The Site contains links to other websites. If you follow a link away from oddrandomthoughts.com, this privacy policy no longer applies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of other sites, and we recommend you read the privacy policy of any site you visit.
How We Use Information
We use the information described above to:
- Operate, maintain and secure the Site.
- Understand how the Site is used so we can improve it.
- Serve advertising, where advertising is shown.
- Respond to you if you contact us.
- Comply with legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information.
Sharing of Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share information only with the service providers that help us run the Site, for example our hosting provider, content delivery network, Google Analytics, New Relic and our advertising partners, and only for the purposes described in this policy. Those providers process the data on our behalf under their own terms.
We may also disclose information if required by law, or when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a lawful request.
Data Retention
Server logs and analytics data are kept for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes described above, after which they are deleted or aggregated. If you email us, we keep your message only as long as needed to deal with it.
Your Rights and Choices
Depending on where you live, you may have legal rights over your personal information. These can include the right to access, correct or delete information we hold about you, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Because the Site collects only limited technical and analytics data, much of this information is not linked to you personally. Where you have rights under laws such as the GDPR (European Economic Area and UK) or the CCPA/CPRA (California), we will honor them. To make a request, contact us using the details below.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings, as described above.
Children’s Privacy
The Site is a general-audience website and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the information processed through the Site. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time, for example if we add a new tool or service. When we do, we will change the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this page occasionally.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy, or wish to exercise a privacy right, contact us at robert@oddrandomthoughts.com.