Privacy Policy
Transparency, data protection, and cookie disclosures for readers and researchers of The Shotokai Encyclopedia (shotokai.com).
1. Introduction
At The Shotokai Encyclopedia (shotokai.com), the privacy of our visitors is of paramount importance. This Privacy Policy document outlines the types of personal information that is received and collected by The Shotokai Encyclopedia and how it is used.
As an educational and historical archive dedicated to traditional Japanese Karate-do and classical Budo since 1995, our primary mission is the dissemination and preservation of cultural knowledge. We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data with third parties.
2. Log Files & Server Diagnostics
Like most standard website servers, The Shotokai Encyclopedia uses log files. These files merely log visitors to the site-usually a standard procedure for hosting companies and hosting services analytics. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date/time stamps, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. This information is used solely to analyze trends, administer the site, prevent malicious denial-of-service traffic, and gather demographic information for aggregate technical maintenance. IP addresses and other such information are not linked to any personally identifiable information.
3. Cookies and Advertising Partners (Google AdSense)
The Shotokai Encyclopedia uses cookies to store information about visitors' preferences, to record user-specific information on which pages the site visitor accesses or visits, and to personalize or customize our web page content based upon visitors' browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.
Google DoubleClick DART Cookies & Third-Party Vendors:
- Third-Party Vendor Advertising: Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve advertisements based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites across the Internet.
- Google Advertising Cookies: Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to visitors based on their visit to The Shotokai Encyclopedia and/or other sites on the Internet.
- Opt-Out of Personalized Advertising: Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, users may opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting aboutads.info.
Third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology in their respective advertisements and links that appear on The Shotokai Encyclopedia and which are sent directly to your browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies (such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons) may also be used by our site's third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see.
4. Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
We use Google Analytics 4 to collect aggregate, anonymous statistics about how our readers interact with our historical archives, biographies, and worldwide dojo map. Google Analytics is configured on this site with IP Anonymization enabled, meaning full IP addresses are never recorded or stored on Google servers. You can learn more about how Google uses data when you use our website by reviewing Google's Privacy & Terms.
5. External Links to Dojos & Historical Sources
This website contains educational outbound links to third-party martial arts organizations, universities, and international dojos. Please be aware that The Shotokai Encyclopedia is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every website that collects personally identifiable information.
6. User Data Rights (GDPR & CCPA/CPRA)
Depending on your location, you have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:
- The right to request access to any personal data you have voluntarily provided (e.g. via dojo submission forms or email inquiries).
- The right to request rectification or deletion of your dojo listing or contact details.
- The right to object to or restrict processing of your data.
7. Contact Information
If you have any questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy, please feel free to contact our editorial team by email at:
