Privacy Policy
How ByteForward handles personal information, website features, external services and privacy requests.
Last updated October 7, 2026.
ByteForward is managed by XLT Media Group, a trade name of Altstead LLC. In this policy, ByteForward, we, us and our refer to Altstead LLC in connection with its operation of ByteForward through XLT Media Group.
This Privacy Policy explains how information is handled when you visit ByteForward, use its interactive features, leave a comment or contact us. Questions and privacy requests can be sent to [email protected].
Information you provide
If you submit the newsletter form, we receive your full name, email address and agreement to receive the newsletter. SureForms processes the submission within our WordPress website and is configured to send the submitted information to an administrator by email. You can contact [email protected] about a submission or to withdraw your request.
When you contact us, we receive the contact details and other information included in your message. We use that information to review the message, respond and handle the matter you raise. Please avoid sending passwords, payment card details or other sensitive information that is not needed for your request.
Where comments are available, the comment form requests your name, email address and comment, and may let you provide a website address. Your comment, chosen display name and website link may be publicly visible if the comment is published. Information you include in a public comment can be read or copied by other people.
Information processed when you visit
Your browser exchanges technical information with the website and the infrastructure that delivers it. This can include your IP address, browser information, the requested page, referral information and the time of the request. This information is used to deliver pages and support the operation, troubleshooting and security of the website.
ByteForward uses Speed of Light performance measurement. The website script sends the page URL, navigation type, a mobile or desktop device classification, page loading and interaction measurements, identifiers for relevant page elements and a randomly generated sample identifier to a ByteForward website endpoint. This helps identify slow pages and other performance problems. A page URL can include search terms or other information contained in its query string.
Reactions on Leaks
You can submit a reaction without creating an account. The feature uses a randomly generated browser key to associate your submitted reactions with that browser key. The website records the submitted choices and uses them to calculate shared reaction totals. The totals represent submitted reactions and are not verified counts of unique people.
New reaction keys are held in memory for the current page visit. You can change your choice or select the highlighted reaction again to remove it. Without a previously saved key, reloading or closing the page loses access to those choices, although the submitted reactions remain in the shared totals.
If you previously chose to remember reactions, an existing reaction cookie can still retrieve the choices associated with its key until its original expiry or removal through your browser. The current feature does not create reaction cookies or extend their expiry. Removing or losing a key does not delete submitted reactions, and the feature cannot locate choices associated with a key your browser has forgotten.
The reaction feature does not use an IP address or device fingerprint as its voting identifier. This does not mean that the website, its hosting infrastructure or embedded services never process IP addresses.
Cookies and browser choices
Cookies can remember choices or support a feature you use, such as saving comment form details in your browser. An existing Leaks reaction cookie from an earlier opt in may also remain until its original expiry. The Cookie Policy explains these features and the available browser controls. Removing browser data may affect your ability to recover or change earlier choices.
Embedded content and external services
Some pages contain YouTube videos. Loading an embedded player connects your browser to Google services, which may receive technical information and use cookies or similar technologies under their own policies. Information about Google’s practices is available at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
The website also uses Gravatar features for profile images and profile cards. When an external profile resource is requested, Automattic may receive the request and related technical information. Its practices are described at https://automattic.com/privacy/.
Links to other websites take you to services operated by others. Their privacy policies and settings apply to information handled on those services. This includes merchants and any affiliate services involved when you follow a referral link.
How information may be disclosed
Our hosting, website delivery and email infrastructure processes information needed to provide those services. Authorized people managing ByteForward may access information to operate the website, manage comments and respond to enquiries. Public comments are visible to other visitors. Embedded services receive information as described above.
We may disclose relevant information when required by law or reasonably necessary to respond to a lawful request, address abuse, protect someone’s safety or establish, exercise or defend legal rights. Any such disclosure remains subject to applicable law.
How long information is kept
The period information remains stored depends on the record and the systems that hold it. Published comments and submitted reactions can remain in the website’s records after browser cookies are removed. Records held by hosting and email services are subject to the retention processes and settings applicable to those services. Contact [email protected] to request review or deletion of information associated with you. Requests remain subject to applicable legal requirements.
Previously saved Leaks reaction cookies were set to expire 90 days after their last save. The current feature does not extend that expiry. Expiry or removal does not automatically remove submitted reactions. While a key is available, you can remove each associated reaction by selecting its highlighted icon again. You can also contact us with questions about information associated with you.
Your requests and rights
You can contact [email protected] with a question or request concerning your personal information. Describe the information or feature involved so we can locate the relevant records. We may need proportionate information to verify the request and protect other people’s information.
Depending on the law that applies, you may have rights to access, correct, delete or obtain a copy of personal information, restrict or object to certain processing, or withdraw consent where processing relies on it. These rights may be subject to conditions and exceptions. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that was lawful before withdrawal. You may also have a right to complain to the relevant privacy regulator.
You can decline optional remembering features and use your browser controls to remove stored site data. These controls do not remove information already submitted to the website or held by another service.
Children and sensitive information
If you believe a child has submitted personal information that should be reviewed or removed, contact [email protected] and identify the relevant page or interaction. Please do not include unnecessary details about the child in the initial message.
Changes and contact
We may update this policy when the website or its information practices change. Where applicable law requires additional notice or consent for a change, that requirement continues to apply.
For privacy questions, contact Altstead LLC doing business as XLT Media Group at [email protected].