Like every website, this one is served by a web server (nginx) that writes a standard access log each time a page is requested. Each entry holds your IP address, the date and time, the page you asked for, whether it loaded, how large it was, the page you came from, and your browser and device type (the user agent). Images, scripts and stylesheets are not logged.

I use that log to keep the site working and to spot abuse, not to profile anyone, and I don't share it unless the law requires me to. It is rotated daily and deleted after about two weeks.

The player remembers where you stopped in each episode and the playback speed you picked. That is saved in your own browser, never sent to me, and clearing your site data erases it. It is the only thing this site stores on your device.

If you use the contact form, what you type (your name, your email, a topic and your message) is emailed to me by the website through my email host, Purelymail, so I can read it. This site does not keep a copy. I use your email address only to reply, and I'll delete your message if you ask. Your IP address is used for a few minutes to limit spam and is not saved or included in the email.

Voicemails left on the studio line (608-668-4702) can play on the show unedited, and texts can be read out. Say your first name only if you want credit.

Episode audio is hosted by Riverside, which counts downloads. That happens when you press play on this site and when a podcast app fetches an episode. Riverside sees your IP address and device the way any server would, and its own policy covers that.

Sign-ups for The Transmission are handled by Riverside, so their rules apply. I'll save you some googling: read Riverside's privacy policy . I won't spam anyone. You'll only get things from this show, and you can unsubscribe whenever you want.

Tips are processed entirely on Buy Me a Coffee's platform. I only see very basic details about each payment. Their privacy policy covers the rest.

Some music pages have a video on them. Nothing loads from YouTube until you press play: the thumbnail you see is stored on this site. When you do press play, the video comes from youtube-nocookie.com, YouTube's privacy-enhanced mode, and from then on YouTube's privacy policy covers it, not mine.

Threads, Instagram, Facebook and GitHub all play by their own rules, and some of them collect a lot. When you follow or message me there, you're covered by their policies, not mine.

Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon Music, artist sites and stores each have their own privacy policies. I can't guarantee what any outside link or platform does once you leave this site.

The show has no sponsors. Nobody can pay for coverage, a kinder take, or a mention. If that ever changes, it will be labelled clearly.

The links to Visible Wireless and Surfshark on the support page are referral links. If you sign up through them, a little comes back to the show. They are the only ones, and they stay on that page.

Posts list their sources at the bottom. Contested numbers are credited to whoever reported them, not stated as settled, and something I can't verify gets said out loud or left out. If I get something wrong, I'll fix it and say so.

I'm a working broadcast engineer, and everything here is my own view, not the view of any employer or client.

This website was built with the help of AI, and AI helps me keep it up to date. I also use AI tools to help research, outline and draft. Facts get checked against sources. The opinions, the personal stories and the voice on the show are mine.