Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 6, 2026

The Cloud Pod (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website www.thecloudpod.net and associated services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, subscribe to our newsletter, join our Slack community, purchase merchandise, or interact with our podcast content.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our website and services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

Newsletter Subscription When you subscribe to our newsletter via EmailOctopus, we collect:

• Email address
• First and last name
• Favorite cloud platform preference (optional)

We use a double opt-in verification process, meaning you must confirm your subscription via email before receiving our newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any newsletter email.

Contact Forms When you submit a contact form, we collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Subject and message content

Sponsorship Inquiries When you request a media kit, we collect:

• Email address
• Name
• Company name
• Type of sponsorship interest

Merchandise Purchases When you purchase merchandise, we collect:

• Name and shipping address
• Email address
• Payment information (processed securely by our payment processor)
• Order details

Comments When you leave a comment on our website, we collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Website (optional)
• IP address and browser user agent (for spam detection)

Slack Community When you join The Cloud Pod Slack workspace, your participation is governed by Slack’s privacy policy. We can see your Slack display name, profile information, and messages posted in public channels. Our AI assistant, Bolt, may process messages directed to it to provide responses, but we do not store conversation logs beyond Slack’s standard retention.

Information Collected Automatically

Analytics Data We use Microsoft Clarity to understand how visitors interact with our website. Clarity collects:

• Mouse movements, clicks, and scroll behavior
• Pages visited and time spent
• Device type and browser information
• Geographic region (country level)

Microsoft Clarity does not collect personally identifiable information and is designed to be privacy-compliant. For more information, see Microsoft’s Privacy Statement.

Podcast Analytics Our podcast hosting provider (Castos) collects anonymous download and streaming data including:

• Download counts and timing
• Geographic region
• Podcast app/platform used
• Episode completion rates

This data is aggregated and does not personally identify individual listeners.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies We use cookies and similar technologies for:

• Essential cookies: Required for site functionality
• Preference cookies: Remembering your settings (e.g., comment form details)
• Embedded content cookies: Third-party cookies from YouTube, podcast players, and social media embeds

Microsoft Clarity uses session replay technology but does not require cookies and does not track users across websites.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Send our weekly newsletter and podcast updates (with your consent)
• Respond to your inquiries and feedback
• Process merchandise orders and provide customer support
• Improve our website, podcast, and services
• Analyze website traffic and user behavior
• Prevent spam and fraudulent activity
• Comply with legal obligations

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect or process your data:

Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:

• Newsletter subscribers: Until you unsubscribe, plus up to 30 days for processing
• Contact form submissions: Up to 2 years
• Sponsorship inquiries: Up to 3 years
• Merchandise orders: 7 years for tax and legal compliance
• Comments: Indefinitely, unless you request deletion
• Analytics data: 13 months (Microsoft Clarity default)

Your Rights and Choices

All Users

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Unsubscribe: Opt out of newsletter communications at any time
• Cookie control: Manage cookies through your browser settings

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@thecloudpod.net.

European Union Residents (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to data portability
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to object to processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Our legal basis for processing your data includes:

• Consent: Newsletter subscriptions, cookies
• Contractual necessity: Merchandise purchases
• Legitimate interests: Website analytics, spam prevention

California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect and how it’s used
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)
• Non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To submit a request, email privacy@thecloudpod.net with “CCPA Request” in the subject line.

Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@thecloudpod.net, and we will promptly delete such information.

Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including the United States, where our servers and service providers are located. By using our services, you consent to such transfers. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

The Cloud Pod Email: privacy@thecloudpod.net Website: www.thecloudpod.net/contact-us