PC Tech Vault is an independent PC hardware reference and editorial site. This page explains what the site collects, why, how to reach the site operator about personal data, and what choices visitors have.
The short version
PC Tech Vault runs no advertising, no third-party analytics, no social media trackers, and no cross-site profiling. There are no advertising or tracking cookies, so the site shows no cookie consent banner: there is nothing non-essential to consent to. The only data collected is what the site needs to run, stay secure, and answer messages submitted through it.
Server logs
Like any web server, the host records each request: the visitor’s IP address, browser user agent, the page requested, and a timestamp. These logs are used for security, abuse prevention, and diagnosing faults. They are kept for a short period and then rotated out.
Usage analytics
The site uses WP Statistics, a self-hosted analytics tool. It runs on this server, sends nothing to any outside analytics company, records page views without setting a tracking cookie, and stores visitor IP addresses only in anonymized form. It records the visitor’s country and approximate region from the IP address at the time of the visit, which is why country-level traffic appears in reports. It is used to see which pages are read and roughly where readers come from, nothing more. The legal basis is legitimate interest in understanding how the site is used. The site also honors the browser “Do Not Track” signal: if the browser sends it, the visit is not recorded.
Contact and correction forms
If a visitor uses the general contact form or submits a technical correction, the site receives what the visitor enters. The contact form collects a name, email address, subject or reason, message, and an optional page URL. The structured correction form collects the affected entry, correction type, details, source URL when supplied, and contact information. The correction workflow covers GPU and CPU Wiki reference records, while the contact form accepts broader site and editorial messages. Submissions are used only to review the message and reply. Correction submissions may be kept with the affected record so the change has a documented reason.
Forum accounts
The forums run on wpForo. If a visitor registers an account, the site stores the chosen username, email address, a hashed password, posts, and the IP address recorded when posting. This is what an account and a public discussion need to function. Login uses a session cookie that is removed on logout.
Cookies
The site sets only essential cookies: a login session cookie for registered users and forum members, removed on logout, and where applicable a cookie that remembers a display preference. There are no advertising, analytics, or third-party cookies. This is why there is no consent pop-up.
Who the data reaches
The hosting provider stores the site and its database and processes server logs on the operator’s behalf; hosting is located in the United States. Email delivery is used to send replies to submitted messages. Data is never sold, rented, or shared for marketing. There are no advertising or data-broker relationships.
Affiliate links
The site does not currently use affiliate or referral links. If that changes, affected links will be labeled on the page where they appear, as stated on the About page, and this policy will be updated.
Your choices and rights
The entire site can be browsed without an account and without submitting a form.
Visitors in the EU, the UK, or another region with equivalent law have the right to ask for a copy of the personal data the site holds about them, to have it corrected or deleted, to object to a particular use, and to complain to their local data protection authority. To make a request, use the contact page or the corrections page. Requests are answered within a reasonable time and at no charge.
Children
PC Tech Vault is a technical reference aimed at adults and is not directed at children under 16. The site does not knowingly collect data from children.
Changes
This policy was last updated on 13 September 2026. Material changes will be noted here with a new date.