READ UPDATED COMPLETE POLICY WITH CONTACT ADDRESSES HERE.

Privacy Policy for Average Advocate

Effective date: September 29, 2025
Last updated: September 29, 2025

1) Overview

This Privacy Policy explains how Average Advocate / Elisa Johnston (“Average Advocate,” “we,” “us,” “our”) collects, uses, shares, and safeguards information when you use www.AverageAdvocate.com and related products, downloads, free resources, email newsletters, or offerings (collectively, the “Services”). By using the Services, you agree to this Policy.

Controller/Contact: Elisa Johnston, Average Advocate, (Full Address found on full privacy policy here) San Diego, CA 92126, United States.
Email: elisa @ averageadvocate -dot- com (replace “-dot-” as needed)

Quick summary: we use your info to deliver resources you requested, run our website and newsletter, improve content, and—only with your say-so—send marketing. We don’t sell your personal information for money. You can opt out of certain data uses (like targeted ads) and exercise your rights listed below.

2) What we collect

We collect the following categories of information (examples, not exhaustive):

  • Identifiers & contact info: name, email, mailing address, phone number.
  • Commercial info: purchases, downloads, transaction history, cart data.
  • Payment info: processed by our payment providers; we generally receive tokens/confirmations, not full card details.
  • Internet or device info: IP address, device type, browser, pages visited, referring URL, timestamps, approximate location (from IP).
  • Preferences: topics you select, sign-up choices, cookie preferences.
  • User content: survey responses, comments, posts (if any).
  • Inferences: content topics that may interest you based on your interactions.

We collect info directly from you (forms, purchases, downloads, emails), automatically (cookies, similar tech), and from service providers/partners (e.g., email platforms, checkout processors, analytics tools).

3) How we use information

  • Provide the Services you request (deliver downloads, emails, courses, communities, orders, support).
  • Communicate about updates, resources, and—if you opt in—marketing.
  • Personalize content and measure engagement (which topics resonate).
  • Secure, debug, and prevent misuse of the Services.
  • Comply with law, enforce terms, protect rights and safety.
  • Improve our site, offerings, and user experience.

Lawful bases for EU/UK users (GDPR/UK GDPR)

Where GDPR applies, we process data based on: consent, contract, legitimate interests (e.g., site security, improving content, basic analytics), and legal obligation. You can withdraw consent at any time where processing relies on consent. GDPR+2GDPR+2

4) Cookies, analytics, and ads

We use cookies, pixels, and similar tech to operate the site, remember preferences, analyze traffic, and (where enabled) run basic remarketing/interest-based ads. You can control cookies in your browser and through our on-site cookie controls (where available). Blocking cookies may impact some features.

Opt-out signals / Global Privacy Control (GPC): Where required, we honor user-enabled opt-out preference signals (like GPC) for “sale”/“sharing”/targeted advertising. California Attorney General

5) Email marketing

With your permission (e.g., when you sign up for a resource or newsletter), we may send you emails about new posts, resources, products, events, or surveys. You can unsubscribe any time using the link in our emails.

6) “Do Not Sell or Share” and targeted advertising (California & similar laws)

We do not sell your personal information for money. Some laws define “sell” or “share” to include certain data disclosures for cross-context behavioral advertising (retargeting). Where applicable, you may opt out of sale/sharing/targeted advertising through:

  • the “Your Privacy Choices” link (if present),
  • your browser’s Global Privacy Control (GPC), or
  • emailing us at elisa @ averageadvocate- dot-com (Replace with dot with .)

We will treat opt-out signals as a request to opt out of sale/sharing/targeted advertising for that browser or device, and for your account if you’re logged in. California Attorney General+1

7) Your privacy rights

Your rights depend on your location. Subject to limits and verification, you may have the right to:

  • Access the data we hold about you;
  • Correct inaccurate data;
  • Delete your data;
  • Opt out of sale/sharing/targeted advertising;
  • Limit use of sensitive personal information (if we ever collect it for purposes that trigger that right);
  • Port your data (receive a copy in a portable format);
  • Object or restrict certain processing;
  • Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
  • Appeal our decision regarding your request (states like CO/VA require an appeal process).

How to exercise: elisa @ averageadvocate- dot-com (Replace with dot with .) with your request. We will verify your identity and respond within the time required by applicable law. You may also use an authorized agent where permitted. If we deny your request, you can appeal by replying “Appeal” to our decision email; we’ll review and respond as required by law. California Privacy Protection Agency+2Virginia Law+2

California: We comply with the CCPA as amended by the CPRA, including opt-out of sale/sharing, right to correct, right to delete, notice at collection, and honoring GPC signals. California Attorney General

Colorado: We honor universal opt-out mechanisms (effective July 1, 2024). Duane Morris+1

Virginia: The VCDPA grants rights to access, correct, delete, data portability, and opt-out of targeted advertising, sale, and profiling; plus an appeal right. Virginia Attorney General’s Office+2Virginia Attorney General’s Office+2

EU/UK: See lawful bases above; you also have rights under Articles 12–22 GDPR (access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection, and not to be subject to certain automated decisions). Supervisory authority details available from your national DPA. GDPR

8) Data retention

We retain personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described here (e.g., to deliver requested resources, meet legal/accounting obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements), after which we delete or de-identify it according to our retention schedule.

9) How we share information

We share information with:

  • Service providers/Processors who help us run the Services (e.g., email platforms, checkout, analytics, hosting). They are contractually bound to use information only to provide services to us.
  • Legal/Safety: when required by law or to protect rights, safety, and security.
  • Business transfers: in the event of a merger, acquisition, or similar change.
  • With your consent or at your direction (e.g., social sharing).

We do not allow third parties to “sell” or “share” your data in a manner inconsistent with applicable law or your choices. Yes on Prop 24

10) Social features & public content

If you post in public areas (blog comments, forums, social features), your content may be visible to others and could be collected or used by them. Interactions with third-party social networks (e.g., “Share” buttons, embedded content) are governed by those providers’ privacy policies.

11) Payments & third-party services

We use reputable platforms to run our website, store, landing pages, and email lists: Substack, Mailchimp,MailerLite, WooCommerce, Shopify, Gumroad, Zazzle, Stripe, PayPal, Venmo, Calendly. Your data may be processed and stored by these providers under their own privacy policies and in other jurisdictions (e.g., the U.S.). Please review their policies for details.

12) International transfers (EU/UK users)

When transferring personal data outside your region (e.g., to the U.S.), we rely on appropriate transfer mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses and supplementary measures, as required by GDPR/UK GDPR. GDPR

13) Security

We use reasonable and appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, and unauthorized disclosure or access. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure.

14) Children’s privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected such information without verifiable parental consent, we will delete it. Parents or guardians who believe a child has provided us information may contact elisa @ averageadvocate- dot-com (Replace with dot with .) Federal Trade Commission+1

15) Your choices

  • Unsubscribe from emails using the link in any message.
  • Opt out of sale/sharing/targeted ads via “Your Privacy Choices” (if shown), GPC signals, or email.
  • Cookie controls in your browser or through our cookie banner (where available).
  • Access/Correct/Delete or other rights: email elisa @ averageadvocate- dot-com (Replace with dot with .)

16) California disclosures

  • Shine the Light (Cal. Civ. Code §1798.83): California residents may request information about disclosures of personal information to third parties for direct marketing in the prior year.
  • Sensitive Personal Information (SPI): If we ever collect SPI in ways that trigger “limit the use of SPI,” you may exercise that right via “Your Privacy Choices” or by emailing us. California Privacy Protection Agency

17) Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be noted by updating the date at the top (and, where required, additional notice). Continued use of the Services after changes means you accept the updated Policy.

18) Contact & appeals

Questions, requests, or appeals regarding this Policy or your data:
Email: elisa@averageadvocate.com
Mail: Average Advocate – (Full Address found on full privacy policy here) San Diego, CA 92126, United States.

19) Affiliates & sponsorships

We give honest reviews and recommendations. All Amazon links are affiliate links. Other sponsored content, gifted items, or affiliate links will be disclosed. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Opinions are those of Elisa or guest writers.

20) Copyright

All original content belongs to Average Advocate unless otherwise noted. You’re welcome to quote or share short excerpts with attribution to Elisa Johnston and www.AverageAdvocate.com (link to the original post). For syndication or broader use, please contact elisa @ averageadvocate- dot-com (Replace with dot with .)