Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 8, 2026 • Effective immediately
The short version: OverClassified uses privacy-focused Google Analytics to understand site traffic in aggregate — no advertising, no data sales, and we never share information about you with anyone. You can read the full details below.
1. Who We Are
OverClassified is an independent, privately operated research encyclopedia documenting UAP/UFO encounters, government programs, and related phenomena. We are not a corporation, advertising network, or data broker. This site is operated by a single individual researcher based in the United States.
2. What Data We Collect
We collect no personally identifying information from visitors. We do use Google Analytics to collect anonymized, aggregate traffic statistics — see Section 3 for full detail. Beyond that, we do not collect:
- Names, email addresses, or account information (there are no accounts)
- Location data or device fingerprints
- Browsing history or behavioral profiles
- Payment or financial information
- Any form submissions beyond the optional “Suggest an Edit” link (which opens a third-party Google Form — see Section 4)
The site has no registration, no login, no newsletter, and no comment system. We have built the site deliberately to require zero personal data from you.
3. Cookies & Tracking
OverClassified uses Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use the site — which pages get read, how people navigate the archive, and where traffic comes from. Google Analytics sets a small number of first-party cookies (e.g. _ga) to distinguish visitor sessions. We use no other analytics platform, no advertising network, no tracking pixels, and no fingerprinting scripts.
Google Analytics is configured with IP anonymization on and Google Signals (cross-device advertising tracking) off. The data we see is aggregate and anonymized — we cannot and do not identify individual visitors from it. Google's own handling of this data is governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
You can opt out of Google Analytics entirely using Google's Analytics opt-out browser add-on, or by blocking scripts from googletagmanager.com and google-analytics.com in your browser or an ad/tracker blocker.
Your browser may also cache static files (images, CSS, JavaScript) for performance. This is standard browser behavior that does not transmit any data to us or any third party.
4. Third-Party Links & Embeds
OverClassified links extensively to external websites including government archives, news organisations, academic institutions, YouTube, and Amazon. When you click an external link, you leave our site and become subject to that site’s own privacy policy.
YouTube: Some case file pages display clickable video thumbnails. Clicking these links takes you to YouTube.com, which is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy. We do not embed YouTube iframes that would load tracking cookies on page load.
Google Forms: The “Suggest an Edit” link opens a Google Form hosted by Google. If you submit a correction, Google’s data practices apply to that form submission.
Amazon: Book recommendation links use standard Amazon product URLs with no affiliate tracking tags. We receive no commission or data from Amazon.
Government archives (CIA, NARA, NSA, FBI Vault, UK National Archives, etc.) are linked as sources. Visiting those sites is subject to their respective privacy policies.
5. Server Access Logs
Like virtually all web servers, our server may generate standard access logs containing:
- Your IP address (assigned by your internet provider)
- The page URL you requested
- Your browser’s User-Agent string
- The date and time of the request
These logs exist for security and debugging purposes only. They are not used for tracking, profiling, or marketing. They are not shared with third parties. Logs are routinely discarded. No persistent database of visitor records is maintained.
This processing constitutes a legitimate interest under GDPR Article 6(1)(f) for the purpose of ensuring network security and server integrity.
6. Your GDPR & CCPA Rights
Because the only data we collect is anonymized, aggregate analytics via Google Analytics (Section 3) — never tied to your name, an account, or any other identifying information — most data subject rights under GDPR (EU) 2016/679 and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are satisfied automatically: there is no individually-identifiable data about you for us to access, correct, delete, or port. If you'd prefer not to be included even in that anonymized analytics data, use the opt-out method described in Section 3.
If you are an EU/EEA resident and believe we have inadvertently processed your personal data, you have the right to:
- Request access to any data held about you
- Request erasure of any such data
- Lodge a complaint with your national Data Protection Authority
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the address in Section 9. We will respond within 30 days.
7. Children’s Privacy
OverClassified is not directed at children under 13 (or 16 in EU member states). We do not knowingly collect any information from minors. If you believe a minor has submitted information through our site, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
8. Changes to This Policy
If we ever change our data practices in a meaningful way, we will update this page and revise the “Last updated” date at the top. Given the nature of the site, significant changes are unlikely. We will never introduce tracking, advertising, or data sales without conspicuous notice.
9. Contact
For any privacy-related questions, data requests, or concerns, use the “Suggest an Edit” form on any case file page, or reach us through the About page. We take privacy seriously and will respond promptly.
For UK/EU users: The relevant supervisory authority is your national Data Protection Authority. A list is maintained by the European Data Protection Board.