Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2026

happyzen.top (the “Site”) is a blog dedicated to publishing articles about game programming. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website. Please read this policy carefully. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this document.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contact form submissions: When you use the contact form on happyzen.top, we collect your name, email address, and any message you submit. We use this information solely to respond to your inquiry.
• Comments: If you leave a comment on a blog post, we collect your name (or pseudonym), email address, and the content of your comment. Your email is kept private and not publicly displayed. Your name and comment text are visible to other visitors.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Log data: Our servers automatically record certain information when you visit, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and pages viewed.
• Cookies and similar technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic. For more details, see the “Cookies” section below.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To operate, maintain, and improve the blog and its content.
• To respond to your comments, questions, or messages submitted via the contact form.
• To monitor and analyze usage trends and preferences (e.g., which game programming topics are most popular).
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or abuse.
• To display relevant advertising (see Section 5 on Third-Party Advertising).

3. Cookies

A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your web browser. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain until deleted) for the following:

• Essential cookies: Required for basic functionality, such as remembering your comment preferences or session state.
• Analytics cookies: To help us understand how visitors interact with the Site (e.g., pages visited, time spent). We use Google Analytics, which sets its own cookies.
• Advertising cookies: Used by third-party ad networks (including Google AdSense) to deliver ads more relevant to you and your interests. These cookies track your browsing across websites.

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. However, please note that blocking certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Site. For more information about managing cookies, visit aboutcookies.org.

4. Analytics

We use Google Analytics to collect and analyze anonymous usage data. Google Analytics uses cookies to help us understand how visitors engage with the Site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity, and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage.

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

5. Third-Party Advertising (Google AdSense & Similar Networks)

We display advertisements on happyzen.top through third-party ad networks, including but not limited to Google AdSense. These ad networks may use cookies, web beacons, or other device identifiers to:

• Collect information about your visits to this and other websites.
• Provide ads about goods and services that may interest you (personalized ads).
• Measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns.

How ads use cookies/device identifiers: When you visit happyzen.top, a third-party ad server may place a unique cookie on your browser. This cookie records non-personally identifiable information such as the types of pages you view, the ads you click, and other browsing behavior. This data is used to build a profile of your interests and to serve you more relevant ads across the web.

Opting out of personalized advertising: You can opt out of personalized ads from Google by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of interest-based advertising from many ad networks through the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out tool (aboutads.info) or the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page. Even if you opt out, you may still see non-personalized ads from these networks.

Note: We do not control the cookies or tracking technologies used by third-party ad networks. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these networks directly.

6. Comments and User-Generated Content

When you post a comment on happyzen.top, your name (or display name) and the content of your comment are publicly visible. Your email address is never displayed. We reserve the right to moderate, edit, or delete comments that are spam, offensive, or otherwise violate our community guidelines.

If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This allows us to automatically recognize and approve any follow-up comments instead of holding them in a moderation queue.

7. Contact Forms

If you use our contact form, we collect your name, email address, and the message you send. This information is used solely to respond to your inquiry. We do not use this data for marketing purposes unless you have explicitly consented. Contact form submissions are retained for a reasonable period to address follow-up questions.

8. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share aggregated, non-personally identifiable information publicly or with partners (e.g., to show trends in game programming topics). We may disclose your information if required by law, to protect our rights, or to enforce our policies.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy. Comment data is kept indefinitely to facilitate follow-up conversations. Contact form submissions are kept for up to one year after the last correspondence. Analytics data is retained for 26 months.

10. Your Rights (GDPR & Similar Laws)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, or the United Kingdom, you have the following rights under applicable data protection laws:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations).
• Restriction: Request that we limit processing of your data.
• Data portability: Request a machine-readable copy of your data.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests, including analytics and advertising.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the email address below. We will respond within 30 days.

11. Children's Privacy

happyzen.top is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with data, please contact us, and we will delete it promptly.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when the latest changes were made. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

• Website: happyzen.top
• Email: [email protected]
• Postal address: 8821 Third Blvd, Frederick, Maryland 72146, USA