Privacy Policy
-
We are thoughtful about the personal information we ask you to provide and the personal information that we collect about you through the operation of our services. -
We store personal information for only as long as we have a reason to keep it. -
We aim to make it as simple as possible for you to control what information on your website is shared publicly (or kept private), indexed by search engines, and permanently deleted. -
We help protect you from overreaching government demands for your personal information. -
We aim for full transparency on how we gather, use, and share your personal information.
Who We Are and What This Policy Covers
-
Our websites (including automattic.com, wordpress.com, jetpack.com, woocommerce.com, crowdsignal.com, gravatar.com, intensedebate.com, vaultpress.com, akismet.com, simplenote.com, simperium.com, leandomainsearch.com, cloudup.com, longreads.com, atavist.com, mailpoet.com, automatewoo.com, jetpackcrm.com, happy.tools, wpcourses.com, wpscan.com, newspack.pub, and wp.cloud); -
Our mobile applications (including the WordPress mobile app for Android and iOS); -
Our other Automattic products, services, and features that are available on or through our websites (for example, WordPress.com plans, the Payments feature, the Pay with PayPal block, WordPress.com, Jetpack, Woo Shipping, Woo Tax, Gravatar, the IntenseDebate comment management system, Akismet plans, Simplenote, Simperium, Cloudup, Longreads, MailPoet, AutomateWoo, Jetpack CRM, Happy Tools, WordPress.com Courses, WPScan and Newspack); and -
Other users’ websites that use our Services, while you are logged in to your account with us.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide to Us
-
Basic account information: We ask for basic information from you in order to set up your account. For example, we require individuals who sign up for a WordPress.com account to provide an email address and password, along with a username or name — and that’s it. You may provide us with more information — like your address and other information you want to share — but we don’t require that information to create a WordPress.com account. -
Public profile information: If you have an account with us, we collect the information that you provide for your public profile. For example, if you have a WordPress.com account, your username is part of that public profile, along with any other information you put into your public profile, like a photo or an “About Me” description. Your public profile information is just that — public — so please keep that in mind when deciding what information you would like to include. -
Payment and contact information: There are various ways in which you may provide us payment information and associated contact information. For example, if you buy something from us or earn revenue through your site, we’ll collect information to process those payments and contact you. If you buy something from us — a subscription to a WordPress.com plan, a premium theme, a custom domain , some Longreads swag — or if you pay fees to a person or business through their WordPress.com site (for example via the Payments feature or the Pay with PayPal block), you’ll provide additional personal and payment information like your name, credit card information, and contact information. We also keep a record of the purchases you’ve made. If you use our Ecommerce Services (including Store on WordPress.com, Woo Shipping, Woo Tax, and WooPayments), you’ll have to create a WordPress.com account or connect an existing account and, for some Services, provide your site URL. You may also provide us with financial details to set up a payments integration, like the email address for your Stripe or PayPal account or your bank account information. Additionally, if you use WooPay to make purchases on other sites, we will store the contact information and payment information you provide to that service. And if you participate in a revenue sharing opportunity for your site, like WordAds , you’ll provide some additional information — for example, a tax ID or other identifier so we can process payments to you. -
Business Profile: Some of our products collect additional information from you as part of creating a user/customer profile. For example, if you are a Jetpack CRM customer we may add you to our customer relationship database (powered by Jetpack CRM!) using information you provide us including your name, your employer, your job title or role, your contact information, and your communications with us. If you are a Happy Tools user, we use information you provide us like your timezone and location information, your company and team information, and your contact information, to set up your account and power the Service’s features. -
Content information: You might provide us with information about you in draft and published content (a blog post or comment that includes biographic information about you, or any media or files you upload). -
Credentials: Depending on the Services you use, you may provide us with credentials for your self-hosted website (like SSH, FTP, and SFTP username and password). Jetpack and VaultPress users may provide us with these credentials in order to use our one-click restore feature if there is a problem with their site, or to allow us to troubleshoot problems more quickly. -
Communications with us (hi there!): You may also provide us with information when you respond to surveys, communicate with our Happiness Engineers about a support question, post a question in our public forums, or sign up for a newsletter like the one we send through Longreads. When you communicate with us via form, email, phone, WordPress.com comment, or otherwise, we store a copy of our communications (including any call recordings as permitted by applicable law). -
Job applicant information: If you apply for a job with us — awesome! You may provide us with information like your name, contact information, resume or CV, professional or personal references, similar professional and employment-related data, and work authorization verification as part of the application process. We may also collect additional information about you during the process, like background and credit checks (in applicable jurisdictions and only for certain job roles). You may also provide us with demographic information when required by law or to support our diverse workplace initiatives, such as your gender, racial or ethnic origin, veteran status, and disability status if you voluntarily submit such information as part of your application. We collect demographic information in accordance with applicable law, and do not request demographic information in jurisdictions where it may be prohibited. We will only use this sensitive information to accommodate a disability or illness, comply with legal obligations, protect the health and safety of our employees, and facilitate our internal programs relating to diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination.
Information We Collect Automatically
-
Log information: Like most online service providers, we collect information that web browsers, mobile devices, and servers typically make available, including the browser type, IP address, unique device identifiers, language preference, referring site, the date and time of access, operating system, and mobile network information. We collect log information when you use our Services — for example, when you create or make changes to your website on WordPress.com. -
Transactional information: When you make a purchase through our Services, we collect information about the transaction, such as product details, purchase price, and the date and location of the transaction. This includes when you purchase something we sell or when you use our Services (like WooPay ) to buy something from a third party. -
Usage information: We collect information about your usage of our Services. For example, we collect information about the actions that site administrators and users perform on a site using our WordPress.com or Jetpack services — in other words, who did what and when (e.g., [WordPress.com username] deleted “[title of post]” at [time/date]). Our WooCommerce Usage Tracker also tracks information like your email address, WooCommerce settings, and PHP settings, along with information about your online store, like the aggregate number of orders and customers. We also collect information about what happens when you use our Services (e.g., page views, support document searches at en.support.wordpress.com, features enabled for your website, interactions with our Admin Bar and other parts of our Services) along with information about your device (e.g., screen size, name of cellular network, and mobile device manufacturer). We use this information to, for example, provide our Services to you, get insights on how people use our Services so we can make our Services better, and understand and make predictions about user retention. -
Location information: We may determine the approximate location of your device from your IP address. We collect and use this information to, for example, calculate how many people visit our Services from certain geographic regions. We may also collect information about your precise location via our mobile apps (like when you post a photograph with location information) if you allow us to do so through your mobile device operating system’s permissions. -
Stored information: We may access information stored on your mobile device via our mobile apps. We access this stored information through your device operating system’s permissions. For example, if you give us permission to access the photographs on your mobile device’s camera roll, our Services may access the photos stored on your device when you upload a really amazing photograph of the sunrise to your website. -
Interactions with other users’ sites: We collect some information about your interactions with other users’ sites while you are logged in to your account with us, such as your “Likes” and the fact that you commented on a particular post, so that we can, for example, recommend posts we think may interest you. As another example, we collect information about the comments IntenseDebate users make while logged in and use that information to, for example, tally up statistics about your comments (check them out in your dashboard!) and display information about your comments in your IntenseDebate public profile. -
Information from cookies & other technologies: A cookie is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. Pixel tags (also called web beacons) are small blocks of code placed on websites and emails. Automattic uses cookies and other technologies like pixel tags to help us identify and track visitors, usage, and access preferences for our Services, as well as track and understand email campaign effectiveness and to deliver targeted ads. For more information about our use of cookies and other technologies for tracking, including how you can control the use of cookies, please see our Cookie Policy .
Information We Collect from Other Sources
-
Third Party Login: If you create or log in to your WordPress.com account through another service (like Google) we’ll receive associated login information (e.g. a connection token, your username, your email address) -
Social Sharing Services: If you connect your website or account to a social media service (like Twitter) through our Publicize feature , we’ll receive information from that service (e.g., your username, basic profile information, friends list) via the authorization procedures for that service. -
Financial Account Info : If you use WooPayments, we’ll receive information relating to your Stripe account, such as your email address and phone number. If you use WooPay, we’ll receive your payment information from Stripe. -
Google Account Information: When you connect your Google account to your Newspack powered site, we may access certain Google user data such as your Google Ad Manager Configuration (the network code and your ad units) and your Google Analytics data to allow you to access and manage features more seamlessly. For example, you may be able to manage your Google ads and see your Google Analytics data directly within the dashboard of your Newspack powered site.
How and Why We Use Information
Purposes for Using Information
-
To provide our Services. For example, to set up and maintain your account, host your website, backup and restore your website, provide customer service, process payments and orders, and verify user information. -
To ensure quality, maintain safety, and improve our Services. For example, by providing automatic upgrades and new versions of our Services. Or, for example, by monitoring and analyzing how users interact with our Services so we can create new features that we think our users will enjoy and that will help them create and manage websites more efficiently or make our Services easier to use. -
To place and manage ads in our advertising program. For example, to place ads on our users’ sites and some of our own sites as part of our advertising program, and understand ad performance. -
To market our Services and measure, gauge, and improve the effectiveness of our marketing. For example, by targeting our marketing messages to groups of our users (like those who have a particular plan with us or have been users for a certain length of time), advertising our Services, analyzing the results of our marketing campaigns (like how many people purchased a paid plan after receiving a marketing message), and understanding and forecasting user retention. -
To protect our Services, our users, and the public. For example, by detecting security incidents; detecting and protecting against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity; fighting spam; complying with our legal obligations; and protecting the rights and property of Automattic and others, which may result in us, for example, declining a transaction or terminating Services. -
To fix problems with our Services. For example, by monitoring, debugging, repairing, and preventing issues. -
To customize the user experience. For example, to personalize your experience by serving you relevant notifications and advertisements for our Services, recommending content through our Reader post suggestions, and providing new essays and stories through Longreads for your reading pleasure. -
To communicate with you. For example, by emailing you to ask for your feedback, share tips for getting the most out of our products, or keep you up to date on Automattic; texting you to verify your payment; or calling you to share offers and promotions that we think will be of interest to you. If you don’t want to hear from us, you can opt out of marketing communications at any time. (If you opt out, we’ll still send you important updates relating to your account.) -
To recruit and hire new Automatticians. For example, by evaluating job applicants (including verifying their identity, experience, and other information submitted) and communicating with them by phone, email, or social media platforms. If the application progresses, we may also collect interview information and background check information. This may also include verifying information required to initiate employment, for purposes such as confirming ability to legally work in a specific location, setting up payroll, and complying with statutory reporting requirements.
Legal Bases for Collecting and Using Information
How Long We Keep Information
Security
Choices
-
Limit the information that you provide: If you have an account with us, you can choose not to provide the optional account information, profile information, and transaction and billing information. Please keep in mind that if you do not provide this information, certain features of our Services — for example, premium themes that carry an additional charge — may not be accessible. If you are a job applicant, and you choose not to provide certain data elements to us, we may not be able to proceed with the recruitment process. -
Limit access to information on your mobile device: Your mobile device operating system should provide you with the option to discontinue our ability to collect stored information or location information via our mobile apps. If you choose to limit this, you may not be able to use certain features, like geotagging for photographs. -
Opt out of marketing communications: You may opt out of receiving promotional communications from us. Just follow the instructions in those communications or let us know. If you opt out of promotional communications, we may still send you other communications, like those about your account and legal notices. -
Set your browser to reject cookies: At this time, Automattic does not respond to “do not track” signals across all of our Services. However, you can usually choose to set your browser to remove or reject browser cookies before using Automattic’s websites, with the drawback that certain features of Automattic’s websites may not function properly without the aid of cookies. -
Opt out of our internal analytics program: You can do this through your user settings. By opting out, you will stop sharing information with our analytics tool about events or actions that happen after the opt-out, while you’re logged in to your WordPress.com account. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy . -
Close your account: While we’d be very sad to see you go, you can close your account if you no longer want to use our Services. ( Here are account closure instructions for WordPress.com accounts.) Please keep in mind that we may continue to retain your information after closing your account, as described in How Long We Keep Information above — for example, when that information is reasonably needed to comply with (or demonstrate our compliance with) legal obligations such as law enforcement requests, or reasonably needed for our legitimate business interests.
Your Rights
European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
-
Request access to your personal data; -
Request correction or deletion of your personal data; -
Object to our use and processing of your personal data; -
Request that we limit our use and processing of your personal data; and -
Request portability of your personal data.
US Privacy Laws
-
Identifiers (like your name, contact information, and device and online identifiers); -
Commercial information (your billing information and purchase history, for example); -
Characteristics protected by law (for example, you might provide your gender as part of a research survey for us or you may choose to voluntarily disclose your race or veteran status as part of your job application); -
Internet or other electronic network activity information (such as your usage of our Services, like the actions you take as an administrator of a WordPress.com site); -
Geolocation data (such as your location based on your IP address); -
Audio, electronic, visual or similar information (such as your profile picture, if you uploaded one); -
Professional or employment-related information (for example, your company and team information if you are a Happy Tools user, or information you provide in a job application); and -
Inferences we make (such as likelihood of retention or attrition).
-
Education information, such as the education you disclose in your job application.
-
Request a copy of the specific pieces of information we collect about you and, if you’re in California, to know the categories of personal information we collect, the categories of business or commercial purpose for collecting and using it, the categories of sources from which the information came, and the categories of third parties we share it with; -
Request deletion of personal information we collect or maintain; -
Request correction of personal information we collect or maintain; -
Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information; -
Receive a copy of your information in a readily portable format; and -
Not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your rights.
Contacting Us About These Rights
Appeals Process for Rights Requests Denials
Controllers and Responsible Companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How to Reach Us
Other Things You Should Know (Keep Reading!)
Transferring Information
Ads and Analytics Services Provided by Others
Third-Party Software and Services
Visitors to Our Users’ Websites
Privacy Policy Changes
Other Information and Resources
Translation
Change log
-
October 31, 2023: Changed instances of “WooCommerce” to “Woo.” -
July 12, 2023: Added new example of information shared with site owners. -
March 17, 2023: Removed references to WPVIP. -
December 30, 2022: Updated the California rights section to apply to additional US states. -
October 18, 2022 : Added wp.cloud to the list of our websites. -
April 26, 2022: Included information regarding WooPay. -
November 22, 2021: Included information for WPScan. -
October 8, 2021: Included information for WordPress.com Courses and Newspack. Updated the “Information we Collect from Other Sources” section with new examples. -
January 1, 2021 : Included information for AutomateWoo and Jetpack CRM. Updated the “Controllers and Responsible Companies” section to reflect changes affecting WooCommerce users. -
December 7, 2020: Included information for MailPoet. -
October 12, 2020 : Renamed WooCommerce Services to WooCommerce Shipping & Tax. -
August 1, 2020 : Renamed some Payments features and updated the “Controllers and Responsible Companies” section to reflect changes affecting WooCommerce users. -
February 21, 2020: Updated for WooCommerce Payments and added a new section: “Other Information and Resources.” -
December 31, 2019 : Updated for California Consumer Privacy Act and miscellaneous clarification throughout. -
October 2, 2019: A few miscellaneous changes, such as new sections about translations of this Privacy Policy and how to opt out of our internal analytics program. -
May 31, 2019: Included information for the Recurring Payments feature. -
April 1, 2019: Included information for Happy Tools. -
March 13, 2019: Added clarifications and additional details to existing sections, for example about ICANN policies and what we may store when you communicate with us. -
February 1, 2019: Included information for Longreads and additional information regarding Longreads accounts. -
November 6, 2018: Removed references to Polldaddy, which has been rebranded as Crowdsignal. -
September 24, 2018: Included information for Simplenote, Simperium, Cloudup, and Lean Domain Search. -
May 25, 2018: Added more specific information to help clarify our practices, included information for Crowdsignal and Woocommerce.com services, and added information to reflect the requirements of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. -
January 3, 2018: Revised and reorganized language throughout to help simplify the policy and clarify our practices. -
August 22, 2017: Added “Information We Collect from Other Sources” section. -
November 2, 2016 : Added that comments submitted as missed spam are retained by Akismet to improve future performance. -
February 18, 2015: Updated Creative Commons license from 2.5 to 4.0. -
September 18, 2013: Added that blog commenter email addresses are disclosed to administrators of the blog where the comment was left. -
February 1, 2011: Clarified subpoena language and added Business Transfers paragraph. -
January 3, 2011: Added court order and subpoena clarification. -
July 1, 2010: Revised paragraph about IP addresses to explain when they are collected and that commenter IPs are visible to blog administrators. -
October 29, 2009: Added Comments paragraph to explain Akismet comment storage policy. -
March 10, 2009: Added Ads paragraph to alert users that ads from third parties may use cookies.
Sections
-
Who We Are and What This Policy Covers -
Creative Commons Sharealike License -
Information We Collect -
Information You Provide to Us -
Information We Collect Automatically -
Information We Collect from Other Sources -
How and Why We Use Information -
Purposes for Using Information -
Legal Bases for Collecting and Using Information -
Sharing Information -
How We Share Information -
Information Shared Publicly -
How Long We Keep Information -
Security -
Choices -
Your Rights -
European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) -
US Privacy Laws -
Contacting Us About These Rights -
Appeals Process for Rights Requests Denials -
Controllers and Responsible Companies -
How to Reach Us -
Other Things You Should Know (Keep Reading!) -
Transferring Information -
Ads and Analytics Services Provided by Others -
Third-Party Software and Services -
Visitors to Our Users’ Websites -
Privacy Policy Changes -
Other Information and Resources -
Translation -
Change log