A clear account of
what this site collects.

Explore 1904 is a free, independent historical project. You can use the site without an account. Google Analytics runs when a page loads so the project can understand visits and improve the site.

Effective and last updated September 11, 2026

Who is responsible for the site

Explore 1904 is operated by Andy McKay. Questions and privacy requests can be sent to explore1904@gmail.com.

Information handled by the site

Local browser preferences

The 3D explorer uses session storage to remember that you have read its opening notes during the current browser session. This preference stays on your device and is not sent to Explore 1904 as a record about you.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics runs when you visit and may collect page and session activity, approximate location, browser and device details, traffic source and, where Analytics storage is enabled, a browser identifier stored in _ga cookies. For visitors in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom and Switzerland, Analytics storage is denied and the Google tag sends measurements without Analytics cookies for basic measurement and modeling. Explore 1904 also sends a small set of interaction events, such as opening a source, choosing a destination, changing movement mode, or using the map. Those events exclude typed search terms, names, contact details, camera paths and performance measurements. The site has no accounts and does not send your name or email address to Analytics.

Advertising signals and ad personalization are disabled in the site’s Analytics configuration. Google says Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses, although network requests to Google necessarily use an IP address. Read Google’s descriptions of data collected by Google Analytics and its privacy safeguards.

Technical delivery and security information

Hosting and content-delivery providers may process ordinary request information needed to deliver and protect the site, such as an IP address, requested URL, date and time, browser details and security signals. The public site is delivered through Cloudflare. Its handling of this information is described in the Cloudflare privacy policy.

Messages you send

If you email the project, the site owner receives your email address, message and anything else you choose to include. That information is used to respond, keep an appropriate project record, and address legal or security concerns.

How information is used and shared

Information is used to:

operate, secure and troubleshoot the site;
understand aggregate use and improve the experience;
respond to messages and research leads; and
comply with legal obligations and protect legal rights.

Explore 1904 does not sell personal information. Information is shared with service providers only as needed to run the site, including Cloudflare and Google. It may also be disclosed when required by law or reasonably necessary to prevent abuse, protect people, or defend legal rights. Google may process Analytics information in other countries under its own privacy policy.

Retention

The explorer’s session preference remains until the browser session ends. Google states that the _ga and related Analytics cookies can remain for up to two years unless they are removed or refreshed; its cookie reference describes the defaults. Analytics records and technical delivery logs are retained according to the project’s configured provider settings and the providers’ practices. Email is kept only while it remains useful for correspondence, project records, safety or legal needs.

Your choices and rights

The site does not show an analytics prompt. You can block Analytics with browser privacy controls, clear cookies and site data, or use Google’s Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to ask about, access, correct, delete or restrict the use of personal information, or to object or withdraw consent. Email the address above to make a request. The project may need enough information to understand and verify it.

Children

The site is about history and is available to a general audience, but it is not directed to children under 13. It does not offer accounts, purchases or user uploads. If you believe a child has sent personal information by email, contact the project so it can be addressed.

Changes to this policy

This policy may change as the project or its services change. The updated version will appear here with a new effective date. Material changes will be described prominently when appropriate.