Last updated: August 24, 2026
I built Attention Is to be a quiet place to think and process AI news, and I'd like the way it handles your information to match that. This policy explains, in plain language, what the site collects, why, and — just as importantly — what it never does. The short version: I collect as little as possible, I don't track you around the internet, and I never sell your information or share it for advertising.
Attention Is is published on Ghost (Ghost Pro), an independent, privacy-minded platform. Most of what follows simply describes Ghost's built-in behavior; I don't add any tracking of my own on top of it.
What I collect, and why
If you subscribe. When you sign up, Ghost collects your email address and provides me with your location at the country level so I can manage your subscription and send you the newsletter. Ghost may also record how you found the site, such as through a search, social-media link, or referral. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of every email. Unsubscribing stops newsletter emails; you can also ask me to delete your member information entirely.
Email engagement. Ghost records basic information about the emails I send — for instance, whether a message was opened or a link clicked. This information can be associated with individual subscriber accounts. I use it only to get a rough sense of what's landing. Additionally, "opens" are an imperfect measure, since some email apps register an open whether or not you actually read anything.
Site analytics. Ghost provides simple, first-party analytics — how many people viewed a post, roughly where visitors came from, and similar information. These analytics use no cookies or persistent browser storage, and they don't follow you to other websites; anonymous visitors are counted within short time windows rather than tracked as individuals. If you're logged in as a member, Ghost may associate your member ID with the posts you view. For sites on Ghost Pro, analytics data is stored on servers in the EU.
Server logs. Like essentially every website, the servers automatically log routine technical information when you visit — such as your IP address and browser type. This is standard operational data, used to keep the site running and secure.
Other services the site relies on
I don't use advertising networks, third-party analytics, or social-media trackers. The site does depend on a couple of service providers to function:
- Ghost hosts the site and processes subscriber and analytics data on my behalf.
- Gravatar (run by Automattic): Ghost may check whether a subscriber's email is linked to a public Gravatar profile picture, which can involve sending a hashed version of the email address to Gravatar.
Because some of these providers operate internationally, your information may be processed on servers outside the EU, including in the United States. (Ghost stores the site's analytics data in the EU, as noted above.)
I don't sell, rent, or trade your information, or share it with advertisers. Ever.
Cookies
The site uses only essential cookies — for example, to keep you logged in if you're a member. I don't use advertising or analytics cookies. Ghost's native analytics are cookie-free, so I don't use a cookie banner for analytics.
Your choices and rights
Whoever and wherever you are, you can:
- Unsubscribe instantly, from the link in any email.
- Ask what I hold about you.
- Correct or update your information.
- Request deletion of your data.
To do any of these, just email me at sam@attentionis.org — a real person (me) will take care of it.
How long I keep things
I keep your member information while you're subscribed or as otherwise needed to operate the site. If you unsubscribe, Ghost retains your member record but stops sending you newsletter emails. You can ask me to delete your member information entirely at any time.
Some limited technical information may remain temporarily in server logs or backups as part of Ghost's normal operation.
Children
Attention Is is written for adults and isn't directed at children. I don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 16.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, I'll update it here and revise the date at the top. Anything material, I'll flag clearly rather than bury.
Contact
Questions about any of this? Email me at sam@attentionis.org. I'm glad to explain anything — or to remove your information, no reason required.