Privacy Policy for OpenSourceShakespeare.org

Last updated: May 2026

Open Source Shakespeare (OSS) is a free, non-commercial resource hosted by George Mason University. This is not a subscription-based site, we have no user accounts, and we have no interest in tracking you as an individual. This policy explains what information is collected when you visit this site and how it is used.

What we collect

Server logs. Like virtually every website on the internet, our web host automatically records basic technical information when you visit: your IP address, your browser type and version, the pages you request, and the date and time of your visit. These logs are retained for a fixed period of time by our web host and then deleted automatically. They are not linked to your name or any personal identity.

Usage analytics data. We use Google Analytics and Quantcast to understand how visitors use the site. This includes basic interaction statistics, where visitors go on the site, time spent on the site, and whether visitors make donations. These services may set cookies in your browser and collect information about your browsing behavior. We typically use this data for anonymized, aggregated reports, and the information we can see about individual users is similar to what we can see in the server logs.

Search query logs. When you search OSS, we record attributes of your search query, the date and time of your search, and your device's IP address. We retain this data to generate the aggregate statistics on our statistics page and for academic research into how people read and use Shakespeare. We have no way of associating an IP address with an individual user, and we have no interest in doing so — the value of this data is entirely in patterns across millions of searches, not in anything about you specifically. This data may be used to understand what modern readers find compelling in Shakespeare's works, which can inform published research.

What we don't collect

We do not collect your name, email address, home address, age, or any other personal information. We do not collect financial data of any kind. We do not require you to create an account or log in.

Cookies

Cookies on this site come exclusively from our analytics providers, Google Analytics and Quantcast. We do not set any first-party cookies ourselves. You can disable or delete cookies through your browser settings at any time, or use your browser's private or incognito mode — doing either won't prevent you from using any feature of the site.

Third-party services

Google Analytics is operated by Google LLC. Information collected by Google Analytics is subject to Google's Privacy Policy. You can opt out of Google Analytics across all websites using Google's opt-out browser add-on.

Quantcast provides audience measurement services. Information collected by Quantcast is subject to Quantcast's Privacy Policy. You can opt out of Quantcast measurement at quantcast.com/opt-out.

We may share aggregated, non-identifiable traffic reports with third parties for informational purposes. Since we do not knowingly retain personal information, we do not sell or share personally identifiable information with anyone.

Your privacy choices

OSS is a non-commercial academic project and does not meet the thresholds that trigger formal compliance obligations under most privacy regulations. That said, in the spirit of altruistic transparency, we try to be straightforward about what we collect and why.

If you have questions or concerns about how your data is handled, please contact us at mail@opensourceshakespeare.org.

Children's privacy

OSS does not collect personal information about any of our visitors. We are therefore unable to knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

Changes to this policy

If we make significant changes to this policy, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

Contact

Questions about this privacy policy? Email us at mail@opensourceshakespeare.org.