Your Data, Respected

This policy explains what information is collected when you use rickmontero.com, why it's collected, how it's stored, and what rights you have. No legal jargon, just straight talk.

This site is operated by Cartero Media Inc ("we," "us," "our"), doing business as Rick Montero.

Contact Form

When you submit the contact form, we collect only what you provide:

• Name— so I know who I'm talking to
• Email address — so I can reply to you
• Your message — the reason you reached out
• Timestamp — when the message was sent

Submissions are stored in a private, encrypted database accessible only to Rick Montero. Your data is transmitted over HTTPS and protected by enterprise-grade security infrastructure.

Newsletter (Field Notes)

If you subscribe to our newsletter, your email address is stored by Kit (formerly ConvertKit), our email service provider. Kit processes your data under their own privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of every email.

Subscribing to the newsletter is always voluntary and completely separate from the contact form.

AI Workflow Audit

When you take the AI Workflow Audit quiz, we collect:

• Your quiz responses — to generate your personalized score and recommendations
• Email address — if you choose to receive your results or subscribe

Quiz data is used solely to deliver your audit results. If you opt in to receive results by email, your email is processed through Kit.

Payments

If you purchase a service (such as the full AI Workflow Audit), your payment is processed by Stripe. We do not store your credit card number, bank account details, or any other payment credentials on our servers. Stripe handles all payment data under their own security standards (PCI DSS Level 1).

We receive from Stripe only your name, email address, and confirmation of payment — enough to deliver the service you purchased.

Analytics

This site uses Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use the site — which pages are visited, how long people stay, and where traffic comes from. This data is aggregated and anonymous. We do not use it to identify individual visitors.

Google Analytics may set cookies on your browser. You can opt out by using your browser's cookie settings or installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Cookies

This site uses only essential and analytics cookies. We do not use advertising cookies or tracking pixels. The cookies in use:

• Google Analytics — anonymous usage data (can be blocked via browser settings)
• Stripe — fraud prevention during checkout (required for payment processing)

Third-Party Services

We use the following services, each with their own privacy policies:

• Vercel — site hosting
• Stripe — payment processing
• Kit (ConvertKit) — email newsletter
• Google Analytics — site analytics
• Cloudinary — image hosting

Data Retention

Contact form submissions are kept for up to 12 months, then deleted, unless there is an ongoing professional relationship. Newsletter subscriber data is retained until you unsubscribe. Payment records are retained as required by tax law.

If you'd like your data removed, reach out through the contact form.

Your Rights (GDPR)

If you're in the European Economic Area, you have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of any data we hold about you
• Rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate data
• Erasure — ask us to delete your data
• Restriction — ask us to stop processing your data

Submit your request through the contact form. We'll respond within 30 days.

California Residents (CCPA)

If you're a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information is collected and to request its deletion. Your data is never sold to third parties.

No Marketing Without Consent

Submitting a contact form, taking the audit quiz, or making a purchase does not subscribe you to any marketing emails. Newsletter subscription is always a separate, voluntary action.

Changes to This Policy

If anything changes, this page will be updated with a new date at the top. No surprises.

Questions?

Use the contact form and I'll get back to you.