Last updated: May 2026
Who We Are
The Barista (thebarista.coffee) is an independent publication covering home coffee equipment: espresso machines, coffee grinders, pour-over and drip gear, AeroPress and French press, kettles, scales, milk frothers, and brewing accessories. We publish buying guides, comparisons, and explainers to help readers make informed decisions. We are reader-supported — see “Affiliate Disclosure” below.
For any privacy-related questions, email us at contact@thebarista.coffee.
What Information We Collect
You do not need to create an account to read The Barista. We do not knowingly collect personal data you have not submitted.
When you visit the site, our hosting infrastructure and the third-party services listed below automatically receive standard technical information, including:
- Your IP address (often truncated by analytics providers)
- Your browser type, operating system, and device class
- The pages you visit on thebarista.coffee and the page that referred you
- The approximate time you spent on each page
If you contact us by email, we receive your email address and whatever you choose to include in the message.
Cookies
We use a small number of cookies and similar technologies. They fall into three categories:
- Essential cookies — required for the site to function (e.g. content delivery, basic security).
- Analytics cookies — set by Google Analytics so we can see anonymised, aggregate traffic patterns and improve the site.
- Advertising / affiliate cookies — set by affiliate networks (e.g. Amazon Associates) when you click an outbound product link, so commissions can be attributed correctly.
You can block or delete cookies via your browser settings; doing so will not break the site but may disable some functionality.
Third-Party Services
The Barista relies on the following third-party services, each governed by its own privacy policy:
- Google Analytics — anonymised usage analytics. Opt out via the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.
- Amazon Associates — affiliate links to products on Amazon. When you click an Amazon link from our site, Amazon may set cookies to attribute any resulting purchase.
- eBay Partner Network — affiliate links to listings on eBay, where used.
- Pexels — source of stock photography embedded in articles.
- Hosting provider and CDN — handle technical request logs.
Affiliate Disclosure
The Barista participates in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate programs. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate revenue is what keeps the site running.
Commercial relationships never influence what we recommend or how we describe a product. We do not accept payment for favourable coverage.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information described above to:
- Understand which content is useful so we can improve it
- Operate and secure the site (e.g. detect abuse)
- Respond to messages you send us
- Track affiliate referrals so commissions are paid correctly
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it to build advertising profiles about you on other sites.
Data Retention
Server logs and analytics data are retained in aggregate, anonymised form. Emails you send us are retained for up to 12 months after the last related correspondence, then deleted unless we have an ongoing reason to keep them (e.g. an outstanding question).
Your Rights
Depending on where you live (notably the EU/UK under GDPR, and California under the CCPA), you have rights regarding personal information we may hold about you. These include the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Object to certain uses of your data
To exercise any of these rights, email us at contact@thebarista.coffee. We aim to respond within 30 days.
Children’s Privacy
The Barista is written for adults and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the services we use or to our practices. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. Material changes will be noted at the top of the page.
Contact
Questions about this policy, or about the data we hold? Email contact@thebarista.coffee.