Privacy Policy

Backwoods Home Magazine
Self-Reliance Publications LLC
Last Updated: February 16, 2026

1. Introduction

Self-Reliance Publications LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website www.backwoodshome.com and publishes Backwoods Home Magazine. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and share your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding information we collect when you visit our website, make a purchase, subscribe to our magazine, sign up for communications, or otherwise interact with us. By using our website, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you create an account, place an order, subscribe to our magazine, sign up for our email newsletter or SMS messages, or contact us, we may collect:

Name, mailing address, email address, and phone number
Payment information (credit card, PayPal, or other payment details) — processed securely by our third-party payment processors (see Section 4); we do not store your full credit card number on our servers
Account login credentials
Subscription and order history
Communications you send to us (letters, emails, questions)
Your preferences regarding our mailing list (see Section 5)

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically through cookies, tracking pixels, and similar technologies:

IP address, browser type, operating system, and device information
Pages visited, links clicked, time spent on pages, and referring URLs
Location information (derived from IP address)

This data is collected by the following third-party services:

Google Analytics (GA4): We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website, including page views, session duration, and traffic sources. Google Analytics uses first-party cookies to collect this data, which is transmitted to and processed by Google. For information on how Google uses this data, please visit How Google uses data when you use our partners’ sites or apps. You may opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on.

Google Ads Remarketing and Conversion Tracking: We use Google Ads conversion tracking and remarketing features. These tools use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookie) and third-party cookies (such as Google advertising cookies) together to track conversions from our ads and to show you targeted advertisements on other websites within the Google Display Network based on your prior visits to our site. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.

Google AdSense: We display third-party advertisements through Google AdSense. Google and its advertising partners use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to our website and other websites. You may opt out of personalized advertising through Google Ads Settings or the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page.

Google Tag Manager: We use Google Tag Manager to manage the deployment of the tracking and advertising scripts described above on our website.

Facebook Pixel (Meta): We use the Meta (Facebook) Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our Facebook advertising campaigns, to build custom audiences for ad targeting, and to deliver targeted advertisements to you on Facebook and Instagram. The pixel collects data about your browsing activity on our site — including pages viewed, products viewed, and purchases — and transmits it to Meta. This data may be used by Meta in accordance with Meta’s Privacy Policy. You may manage your Facebook ad preferences at Facebook Ad Preferences.

Important: When these third-party tools collect data from your visit to our website, that data is transmitted directly from your browser to the third party (Google, Meta). Even though we do not directly sell your personal information, the use of these tracking technologies may constitute “sharing” or “selling” of personal information under certain state privacy laws because they transmit data about your browsing activity to third parties for advertising purposes (see Section 9).

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To process and fulfill orders, subscriptions, and payments
To manage your account and subscription renewals
To send transactional communications such as order confirmations, shipping notifications, and subscription renewal notices
To send SMS notifications about your orders and shipments (see Section 6)
To send marketing emails and newsletters (with your consent)
To send SMS marketing messages (with your consent; see Section 6)
To analyze website traffic and improve our website and services
To measure advertising effectiveness and deliver targeted ads through Google and Meta as described in Section 2.2
To compile mailing lists for select third-party offers (see Section 5)
To respond to your questions, comments, and customer service requests
To comply with legal obligations

4. Payment Processing

We accept payments through the following third-party payment processors. Your payment information is transmitted directly to these processors for secure handling — we do not store your full credit card number on our servers.

Authorize.net: Processes credit card payments securely. Authorize.net may store a tokenized reference to your payment method (not your actual card number) to facilitate recurring subscription billing. For information on how Authorize.net handles your data, see their Privacy Policy.
PayPal: If you choose to pay via PayPal, your transaction is processed by PayPal and subject to PayPal’s Privacy Policy.
Stripe: Processes credit card payments securely and may store a tokenized payment reference for recurring billing. See Stripe’s Privacy Policy.

5. Mailing List and Third-Party Sharing

When you do business with us, your name and mailing address may be included on our mailing list, which we may share with other companies offering products or services of interest to self-reliant people.

You have a choice. We ask that you tell us if you do not want your name and mailing address shared. If you tell us not to share your information, we will permanently flag your account to exclude it from any third-party mailing lists.

Regardless of your choice, we will never provide your name to any business that promotes hate, bigotry, pornography, or similar content.

If you are on the mailing list and wish to be removed, or if you wish to be added, contact us at any time at customer-service@backwoodshome.com or by mail at: Backwoods Home Magazine, P.O. Box 308, Philomath, OR 97370.

6. SMS / Text Messaging

We may send you text messages for the following purposes:

Order and shipping notifications: If you provide your phone number during checkout, we may send you transactional text messages about your order status and shipping updates.
Marketing messages: With your express written consent, we may send you promotional text messages about products, offers, and content from Backwoods Home Magazine.

Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out of marketing text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message. After you send STOP, we will send one final confirmation message, and you will no longer receive marketing texts from us. Reply HELP for assistance, or contact us at customer-service@backwoodshome.com or call 541-250-5134.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for promotional or marketing purposes. Mobile opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties.

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

7. Email Marketing

We use Mailchimp (Intuit) to send marketing emails and newsletters. When you subscribe to our email list, your email address and name are stored on Mailchimp’s servers. Mailchimp uses tracking technologies in our emails to collect information about whether you open an email, your IP address at the time of opening, and which links you click. This data helps us understand engagement with our content. You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email or by contacting us directly. For information on how Mailchimp handles your data, see Intuit’s Privacy Statement.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us operate and improve our website.

Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality, including shopping cart, user login, and payment processing. These cannot be disabled without breaking site functionality.

Analytics Cookies: Used by Google Analytics (GA4) to collect data about website usage, helping us understand traffic patterns and improve our content.

Advertising Cookies: Used by Google Ads, Google AdSense, and Facebook (Meta) Pixel to deliver targeted advertisements, measure ad performance, and build advertising audiences. These cookies — including both first-party cookies (such as Google Analytics cookies) and third-party cookies (such as Google advertising cookies) — may track your browsing activity across websites.

Managing Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. However, disabling essential cookies may prevent parts of the website from functioning correctly. You may also opt out of personalized advertising through the following:

9. Your Privacy Rights Under State Law

Several U.S. states have enacted privacy laws that provide residents with specific rights regarding their personal information. This section describes those rights and how to exercise them.

9.1 Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA)

If you are an Oregon resident, you may have the following rights under the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, depending on whether our business meets the applicable thresholds:

The right to know whether we are processing your personal data
The right to access and obtain a copy of your personal data
The right to correct inaccuracies in your personal data
The right to delete your personal data
The right to obtain a list of specific third parties to which we have disclosed your personal data
The right to opt out of the processing of your personal data for targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, or profiling

9.2 California Consumer Privacy Act / California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the CCPA and CPRA, including:

The right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell or share
The right to request correction of inaccurate personal information
The right to request deletion of your personal information
The right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information
The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

As noted in Section 2.2, our use of third-party advertising tools such as Google Ads, Google AdSense, and Facebook Pixel may constitute “sharing” or “selling” of personal information under the CCPA/CPRA, because these tools transmit data about your browsing activity to third parties for advertising purposes.

9.3 Other State Privacy Laws

Residents of other states with comprehensive privacy laws — including but not limited to Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Texas, Montana, and others — may have similar rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal data. We will honor valid requests from residents of any state with applicable privacy protections.

9.4 How to Exercise Your Rights

To submit a privacy rights request, including requests to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information, you may:

Email us at: customer-service@backwoodshome.com
Write to us at: Backwoods Home Magazine, P.O. Box 308, Philomath, OR 97370
Call us at: 541-250-5134 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM PST)

We will respond to verified requests within the timeframes required by applicable law (typically 45 days). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

9.5 Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

If you wish to opt out of the sharing of your personal information with third parties for advertising purposes (including through cookies and tracking pixels), you may:

Contact us using the methods listed in Section 9.4
Adjust your cookie and ad preferences using the opt-out links listed in Section 8

10. Communicating with Us

When you send us comments about the magazine, website, articles, or other topics, we may publish your letter in the “Letters” section of the magazine or on the website. If we use your letter, we may include your name, city/town, state/province, and country (if not USA).

If you do not want your letter published, or do not want your name or location published, please tell us at the beginning of your communication.

11. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Payment information is processed through PCI-compliant payment processors (Authorize.net, PayPal, and Stripe), and we do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

12. When We Disclose Your Information

In addition to the third-party advertising and mailing list sharing described in Sections 2.2 and 5, we may disclose your personal information in the following circumstances:

To our payment processors to fulfill your orders and process transactions (see Section 4)
To our service providers (such as our email and SMS providers) to communicate with you on our behalf
To comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or enforceable government request
To protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of our users or others
In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, in which case you will be notified of any change in ownership or control of your personal information

13. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Account and order data is retained for the duration of your account and for a reasonable period afterward for legal and business purposes. You may request deletion of your personal data at any time (see Section 9.4).

14. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

15. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including advertiser sites and vendor sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any website you visit.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.