Privacy policy

Last updated: October 28, 2026

Polling Desk (polling-desk.com) is operated by Karoshi LLC. This policy explains what information we collect when you use the site, why, and the choices you have. Questions or requests: [email protected].

The short version

• You don't need an account, and we don't set advertising or tracking cookies of our own.
• We count visits without cookies and without storing your full IP address.
• If you subscribe to the newsletter, we keep your email address to send it to you, through our email provider Beehiiv.
• Google's ads and, if you allow it, Twitch video can use cookies. You choose with Privacy choices at the bottom of every page.
• We never sell your personal information for money.

What we collect

Visit statistics

For each page view we record the page address, the time, the site language, the website that linked to us (its domain only, e.g. google.com), the type of device (desktop, tablet or phone), your country (as our network provider, Cloudflare, reports it — never your city or address), the network part of your IP address with the last part removed (for example 203.0.113.x, which is usually shared by many devices) and your browser's user-agent string (its name, version and operating system). To count how many different people visit each day, your IP address and browser type are combined with a secret that changes every day and turned into a one-way code; only that code is kept. We cannot work out your IP address from it, and the code changes daily, so visits on different days can't be linked. Search-engine bots aren't counted, and we don't count your visit at all if your browser sends a Do Not Track or Global Privacy Control signal. Visit statistics are deleted after 180 days.

We also count how many times each video and news link is clicked (a total per link, not who clicked it).

Newsletter

If you subscribe, we keep your email address, the site language, the page where you signed up and the time. We pass your email address to Beehiiv, which sends the newsletter, includes an unsubscribe link in every email and measures opens and clicks for us. To block spam signups, your IP address is checked against a short-term limit in our server's memory; it isn't stored.

Emails you send us

If you write to us, we keep your message and email address to answer you.

Technical logs and security

Like every website, our servers and our network provider Cloudflare process your IP address and browser details to deliver pages, block attacks and keep the site running. Our own technical logs are kept for a short time and used only to fix problems.

Cookies and storage on your device

• No cookies for visitors. The site itself doesn't set cookies when you read it. (The administrator's sign-in uses a cookie, only for the administrator.)
• Your preferences (accessibility options, light or dark mode, and whether you closed the mobile ad bar) are saved in your browser's local storage. They stay on your device and are never sent to us.
• Installing the app stores a small offline page in your browser so it can show a message when you have no connection.
• Your privacy choices (whether you accepted personalized ads and Twitch video, or opted out) are saved in your browser's local storage so we don't ask on every page. They stay on your device.
• Ads and Twitch video may use cookies; see below and your cookie and privacy choices.

Advertising

We may show ads served by Google AdSense to fund the site. When ads are shown, Google and its partners may use cookies or device identifiers to show, measure and personalize ads based on your visits to this and other websites. Learn how Google uses information from sites that use its services, turn off personalized ads in Google's Ad Settings, or opt out of many companies' personalized ads at aboutads.info. Ads are personalized only if you allow it: see your cookie and privacy choices. Non-personalized ads still use cookies to limit how often you see an ad, count views and prevent fraud. Advertisers never see your newsletter subscription or our visit statistics.

Content from other services

• Fonts are loaded from Google Fonts, so your browser contacts Google's servers when a page loads (Google privacy policy).
• Pictures next to videos and news headlines are loaded directly from YouTube and from the news outlets' own servers. For news pictures we tell your browser not to send the address of the page you're on.
• Live video on the watch and live updates pages, when switched on, is Twitch's player. It loads only if you allowed Twitch video or click "Load Twitch player". Your browser then loads it from Twitch, which may set its own cookies (Twitch privacy notice).
• Links to YouTube videos, news articles, data sources or a support platform take you to sites with their own privacy policies.

Your cookie and privacy choices

• Outside the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, a banner on your first visit asks what you allow. Accept turns on personalized ads and loads Twitch video automatically; Decline keeps ads non-personalized and loads Twitch only when you click. Until you choose, ads are non-personalized.
• In the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, Google's consent message (a certified consent tool under the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework) asks for your choices about ads instead.
• Change your mind any time with Privacy choices at the bottom of every page.
• Do not sell or share my personal information: showing personalized ads can count as "selling" or "sharing" personal information for advertising under some U.S. state laws, such as California's. Use the link at the bottom of every page to opt out; ads then stay non-personalized.
• Global Privacy Control is honored automatically: if your browser sends it, you're opted out of personalized ads and your visits aren't counted.

How we use information

We use it to run and improve the site, understand which pages are useful, send the newsletter you asked for, and keep the site secure. Where European data-protection law applies, we rely on our legitimate interest in running and securing the site (visit statistics, logs) and on your consent (the newsletter and personalized ads).

Who we share it with

Only the service providers that help us run the site: our hosting provider, Cloudflare (network and security), Beehiiv (newsletter) and, when ads are shown, Google. They may process data only to provide their service. We may also disclose information if the law requires it. We don't sell personal information for money. If you allow personalized ads, Google may use information about your visit for advertising, which some U.S. state laws treat as "sharing"; you can opt out at any time (see your choices).

How long we keep it

• Visit statistics: 180 days.
• Newsletter subscribers: while you're subscribed; ask us and we'll delete your address.
• Backups of the site's database: 14 days.

Your choices and rights

• Unsubscribe at any time with the link in any newsletter email.
• Ask us to see, correct or delete the information we hold about you by writing to [email protected]. We answer within 30 days.
• Privacy choices at the bottom of every page change your cookie choices, and Do not sell or share my personal information opts you out of personalized ads.
• Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control are honored: your visits aren't counted, and Global Privacy Control also opts you out of personalized ads.
• Your browser can block or clear cookies and local storage at any time.
• Depending on where you live (for example the EU, the UK or California), you may have further rights, such as to object to processing, to data portability or to complain to your data-protection authority. We don't sell personal information for money or use it for decisions with legal effects.

Children

Polling Desk is meant for a general audience and isn't directed at children under 13. We don't knowingly collect personal information from children; if you believe a child has subscribed, contact us and we'll delete it.

Security and where data is stored

The site is served only over encrypted connections (HTTPS), access to our server is restricted, and we keep as little personal information as we can. Our server and service providers may be located in the United States and other countries.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we'll update the date at the top of this page. Significant changes will also be noted on the site.

Contact

Karoshi LLC — [email protected]