Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 5, 2026

This is the privacy policy for Westhird, operated by Michael West, a sole proprietorship based in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. In this document, "we", "us", and "our" mean Westhird.

We don't sell your data. We don't run ad networks. We collect the minimum information needed to do the work you hired us for, and we tell you exactly what we do with it.

What we collect

When you contact us through the website:

• Your name
• Your email address or phone number
• Your business name (if you tell us)
• Whatever you write in the message field

When you become a paying client:

• Your billing name and address (handled by Stripe, see below)
• Your payment method (handled by Stripe, we never see or store your card number)
• Project notes (scope, deadlines, deliverables)

When you visit the website:

• Standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages visited, timestamps)
• Google Analytics 4 collects aggregated, anonymized usage data (page views, referral source, device type, approximate location). This is used only to understand which pages and traffic sources help our visitors. We do not link this data to identifiable individuals or use it for advertising. No cross-site tracking pixels.

How we use it

• To respond to your inquiry
• To send you a quote, contract, or invoice
• To deliver the services you bought
• To send you receipts and account notifications
• To remember our prior conversations and project history

That is the full list. We don't sell or share your information with anyone except the third-party services listed below.

Third-party services we use

Each of these services may also collect data subject to their own privacy policies. By working with us, you also agree to their terms.

• Stripe processes all payments. Stripe stores your payment information securely under PCI-DSS compliance. See stripe.com/privacy.
• Google Workspace and Gmail are how we email with you.
• Google Analytics 4 measures aggregated, anonymized site traffic and usage. We have IP anonymization enabled and do not enable Google Signals, ad personalization, or cross-device tracking. See policies.google.com/privacy. You can opt out via the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
• Formspree handles contact form submissions and forwards them to our inbox. See formspree.io/legal/privacy-policy.
• Our website host (currently Netlify) serves the pages you read.
• Domain registrar (Namecheap) holds our domain registration.

How long we keep it

• Contact form messages: 2 years if you don't become a client, then deleted
• Active client records: while we are working together
• Past client records: 7 years for tax and accounting purposes, then anonymized
• Server logs: 30 days

Your rights

You can ask us to:

• See what data we have about you
• Correct anything that is wrong
• Delete your data (with limits, since we are required to keep some tax records)
• Stop emailing you about anything other than active project communications

To exercise any of these rights, email hello@westhird.com. We respond within 30 days.

State-specific rights

If you are a resident of California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Texas, or any other US state with consumer privacy legislation, you have additional rights under those laws. These typically include the right to know what data is collected, the right to delete, the right to opt out of sale or sharing of personal information, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising those rights.

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for cross-context behavioral advertising or for any other purpose outside delivering the services you hired us for.

To exercise any state-specific rights, email hello@westhird.com.

Children

Our services are not directed to anyone under 13. We don't knowingly collect data from children under 13. If you are under 13, please do not use this site or contact us. If we discover we have collected data from someone under 13, we will delete it.

Cookies

The site sets cookies for two purposes:

• Google Analytics 4 cookies (_ga, _ga_*) measure anonymized site usage so we know which pages help visitors. These cookies expire after 2 years.
• Functional cookies as needed for basic site behavior (such as remembering you are signed in if we add a login feature).

No advertising trackers. No cross-site behavioral tracking. You can opt out of Google Analytics via the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, or block cookies entirely in your browser's settings without affecting site usability.

Changes to this policy

If we update this policy, we will change the "Last updated" date at the top. Material changes will be highlighted on the site for at least 30 days. Continued use of our services after a change means you accept the updated policy.

Contact

Questions about privacy or data?

• Email: hello@westhird.com
• Mail: Michael West, Westhird, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

This policy is governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.