Privacy & Cookie Policy

Last updated: August 6, 2026

CADHatches.com respects your privacy and is committed to handling personal information responsibly.

This Privacy and Cookie Policy explains what information may be collected when you visit CADHatches.com, how that information may be used, how cookies and similar technologies work, and what choices you have regarding your data.

By using this website, you acknowledge the practices described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect information in the following ways.

Information You Provide Voluntarily

You may provide personal information when you:

  • contact us by email;
  • submit a message through a contact form;
  • report a problem with a download;
  • request a hatch pattern;
  • submit content or files;
  • communicate with us for any other reason.

This information may include:

  • your name;
  • your email address;
  • the content of your message;
  • files or information you choose to submit;
  • any other details you voluntarily provide.

You are not required to create an account to browse the site or download publicly available CAD hatch patterns unless a specific service states otherwise.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit CADHatches.com, certain technical information may be collected automatically by the website, hosting provider, security services, analytics tools, or advertising partners.

This information may include:

  • Internet Protocol address;
  • browser type and version;
  • device type and operating system;
  • approximate geographic location;
  • referring website or search engine;
  • pages viewed;
  • links and downloads selected;
  • date and time of access;
  • time spent on the website;
  • technical errors and security events.

Google Analytics may collect information such as user counts, session statistics, approximate location, browser information, and device information through its standard implementation. (Support Google)

2. How We Use Information

Information collected through CADHatches.com may be used to:

  • operate and maintain the website;
  • provide access to CAD hatch pattern downloads;
  • respond to messages and support requests;
  • improve articles, downloads, navigation, and site performance;
  • understand which pages and resources are most useful;
  • detect spam, fraud, abuse, and security threats;
  • diagnose technical problems;
  • measure website traffic;
  • display and measure advertising;
  • comply with legal obligations;
  • protect the rights, security, and integrity of the website and its users.

We do not use information submitted through a contact form for unrelated marketing purposes unless you have clearly agreed to receive such communications.

Where applicable data protection laws require a legal basis, we may process personal information based on:

We may rely on your consent for:

  • analytics cookies;
  • advertising cookies;
  • personalized advertising;
  • optional third-party content;
  • email communications you requested.

You may withdraw your consent through the site’s cookie settings when that option is available.

Legitimate Interests

We may process limited information when reasonably necessary to:

  • operate and improve the website;
  • understand general website usage;
  • prevent misuse and security incidents;
  • protect our services and content;
  • respond to legitimate inquiries.

We may process or disclose information when required to comply with applicable laws, regulations, court orders, or lawful governmental requests.

Performance of a Requested Service

When you contact us or request assistance, we may process the information needed to answer your request or provide the requested service.

4. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your browser or device when you visit a website. They may allow a website to function correctly, remember preferences, measure usage, prevent fraud, or support advertising.

Some cookies are placed directly by CADHatches.com. Others may be placed by third-party services used on the site.

Cookies may be temporary session cookies, which are removed after the browser is closed, or persistent cookies, which remain until they expire or are deleted.

5. Types of Cookies We May Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies support essential website functions and may be used for:

  • security;
  • spam prevention;
  • cookie consent preferences;
  • load balancing;
  • session management;
  • basic WordPress functionality.

Because these cookies are required for the website to function, they generally cannot be disabled through the site’s consent controls.

Preference Cookies

Preference cookies may remember choices such as:

  • cookie consent settings;
  • display preferences;
  • language settings;
  • previously selected options.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use the website.

They may collect information about:

  • visited pages;
  • session duration;
  • traffic sources;
  • device and browser types;
  • general interaction with articles and downloads.

CADHatches.com may use Google Analytics for this purpose. Google requires websites using Analytics to disclose its use and explain that data is collected and processed. (Support Google)

Analytics cookies should only be activated where permitted and, when legally required, after the visitor has provided consent.

Advertising Cookies

CADHatches.com may display advertising provided by Google AdSense or other advertising partners.

Third-party advertising vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve advertisements based on a visitor’s previous visits to CADHatches.com or other websites. Google’s advertising cookies may allow Google and its partners to provide personalized or non-personalized advertising. (Support Google)

Depending on your location and consent choices, advertising cookies may be used to:

  • limit how often an advertisement appears;
  • measure advertising performance;
  • prevent fraudulent activity;
  • provide personalized advertisements;
  • provide non-personalized advertisements;
  • understand interactions with advertisements.

You can manage personalized advertising through your Google Ads Settings and through the cookie consent options displayed on this website.

Where required by law, CADHatches.com will request permission before placing non-essential analytics or advertising cookies.

The consent interface may allow you to:

  • accept all cookies;
  • reject non-essential cookies;
  • choose specific cookie categories;
  • change or withdraw your consent later.

Some cookies that are essential for website security and operation may remain active even when optional cookies are rejected.

Consent should be freely given, informed, specific, and based on a clear affirmative action. (European Commission)

7. Managing Cookies Through Your Browser

Most browsers allow you to:

  • view stored cookies;
  • block cookies;
  • delete existing cookies;
  • block third-party cookies;
  • receive a warning before cookies are stored;
  • clear cookies when the browser is closed.

Disabling all cookies may affect certain website functions. For example, the site may no longer remember your cookie choices.

Browser cookie controls are normally available under the privacy, security, or site-settings section of the browser. (European Commission)

8. Google Analytics

CADHatches.com may use Google Analytics to measure website traffic and understand how visitors interact with the site.

Google Analytics may process information such as:

  • page views;
  • session activity;
  • approximate geographic information;
  • browser and device details;
  • referral sources;
  • interactions with website features.

Google states that Analytics acts as a data processor for customers subject to GDPR, while the website operator remains responsible for controlling collection, access, retention, and deletion settings. (Support Google)

We do not intentionally send names, email addresses, telephone numbers, or other directly identifiable information to Google Analytics. Google’s policies prohibit customers from sending information that Google could recognize as personally identifiable. (Support Google)

9. Advertising and Google AdSense

CADHatches.com may participate in the Google AdSense program.

Google and other advertising partners may use cookies, device identifiers, or similar technologies to:

  • deliver advertisements;
  • measure advertisement performance;
  • detect invalid traffic;
  • limit repeated advertisements;
  • personalize advertising where consent has been provided.

For users in regions where consent is legally required, personalized advertising and associated storage technologies should not be activated until the required consent has been received.

Advertising partners may process information under their own privacy policies. CADHatches.com does not control every cookie or identifier placed directly by third-party advertising providers.

10. Third-Party Services

CADHatches.com may use third-party providers for services such as:

  • website hosting;
  • content delivery;
  • security and firewall protection;
  • spam detection;
  • traffic analytics;
  • advertising;
  • email delivery;
  • contact forms;
  • website backups;
  • file storage.

These providers may process limited information when needed to perform their services.

We select service providers based on operational needs, but their data-handling practices are also governed by their own terms and privacy policies.

11. Downloaded Files

CADHatches.com provides downloadable CAD hatch patterns and related files.

When you download a file, the website or hosting provider may record technical information such as:

  • the requested file;
  • the date and time of the download;
  • the referring page;
  • the browser and device type;
  • the IP address associated with the request.

This information may be used for security, traffic measurement, error diagnosis, and improvement of the download library.

We do not use downloaded CAD files to collect personal information from your computer.

12. Contact Forms and Email Messages

When you contact CADHatches.com, we may retain your message and contact information for the time reasonably required to:

  • respond to your request;
  • resolve a download or technical problem;
  • maintain a record of the communication;
  • protect against abuse or repeated spam;
  • meet legal obligations.

Do not include confidential, financial, medical, or other highly sensitive personal information in messages sent through this website.

13. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.

Retention periods may depend on:

  • the type of information;
  • the reason it was collected;
  • security requirements;
  • hosting and analytics settings;
  • legal or accounting obligations;
  • the need to resolve a dispute.

Technical server logs may be removed automatically according to the hosting provider’s retention schedule.

Analytics and advertising data may be retained according to the settings and policies of the relevant service provider.

14. Sharing of Information

CADHatches.com does not sell lists of visitor names, email addresses, or contact-form submissions.

Information may be shared with:

  • hosting and technical service providers;
  • analytics providers;
  • advertising partners;
  • security and anti-spam services;
  • professional advisers;
  • public authorities when legally required.

Information may also be disclosed when reasonably necessary to:

  • comply with the law;
  • respond to a lawful request;
  • prevent fraud or abuse;
  • investigate security incidents;
  • protect the website, its users, or third parties.

15. International Data Transfers

Some service providers may process information in countries other than the country where you live.

Where required, providers may use recognized safeguards for international transfers, such as contractual protections or approved legal transfer mechanisms.

The level of legal protection may differ between countries.

16. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

  • request access to personal information held about you;
  • request correction of inaccurate information;
  • request deletion of certain information;
  • object to or restrict certain processing;
  • withdraw consent;
  • request a portable copy of certain information;
  • complain to an appropriate data protection authority.

The GDPR gives individuals rights concerning access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, and other forms of control over personal data. (European Commission)

California law may also provide eligible residents with rights relating to access, deletion, correction, and opting out of certain sales or sharing of personal information. These rights apply only where the relevant legal requirements and thresholds are met. (Ministère de la Justice de Californie)

To submit a privacy request, contact us using the address shown at the end of this policy. We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

17. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

CADHatches.com does not directly sell personal information in exchange for money.

Certain advertising technologies may be considered “sharing” or “targeted advertising” under some privacy laws.

Where legally required, visitors may use the cookie consent settings or another provided privacy control to opt out of advertising cookies or personalized advertising.

18. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative and technical measures intended to protect the website and the information processed through it.

These measures may include:

  • secure hosting;
  • encrypted HTTPS connections;
  • software updates;
  • restricted administrative access;
  • backups;
  • spam filtering;
  • firewall and security monitoring.

No website, transmission method, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Articles and resources on CADHatches.com may contain links to third-party websites.

We are not responsible for:

  • third-party content;
  • external privacy practices;
  • external cookies;
  • external security measures;
  • information collected after you leave CADHatches.com.

Review the privacy policy of any external website before providing personal information.

20. Children’s Privacy

CADHatches.com is intended for a general professional and educational audience.

The website is not directed specifically at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

A parent or guardian who believes that a child has submitted personal information may contact us to request its deletion.

21. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy and Cookie Policy may be updated when:

  • website features change;
  • new service providers are added;
  • analytics or advertising practices change;
  • legal requirements change;
  • security or operational practices are modified.

The updated version will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

Continued use of the website after an update is subject to the revised policy.

22. Contact

For questions about this Privacy and Cookie Policy, personal information, or privacy requests, contact us.