Privacy Policy & Terms of Service
Effective October 24, 2026 · Operated by Nerd Media, LLC
Privacy Policy
Our take: We're snarky about all things privacy, but we take yours seriously. Here's the full rundown, if you've got a few minutes to kill between patch cycles.
— The Hot Drop team
This policy covers The Hot Drop: The Daily Hot Drop channel on YouTube, The Hot Drop podcast, our posts on social platforms, the websites at thehotdrop.live and blog.thehotdrop.live, and the internal tools we use to publish the show (together, "the Services"). Nerd Media, LLC ("we", "us") runs the Services.
What we collect
When you watch, listen or read. We don't ask you to create an account and we don't sell anything. The platforms that host our content (YouTube, podcast apps, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky) collect data under their own policies and share only aggregate statistics with us, such as views and watch time.
When you contact us or comment. We see what you choose to send, like your name, handle and message, and use it only to reply or moderate.
Website logs and analytics. Our web hosts may keep standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages requested) for security and troubleshooting. Our websites may use cookies and basic analytics such as Google Analytics, described in the cookie section below. We don't use advertising trackers.
Our publishing tools and Google user data
Our internal publishing tool uses the YouTube API Services to manage our own channel: adding our videos to our playlists and reading our channel's video list. It signs in only with the Google account that owns The Daily Hot Drop, and only that account authorizes it.
It accesses only our own channel's videos, playlists and channel details. It doesn't access, collect or store data about viewers or any other Google user. The sign-in token stays encrypted on our own computer and is never shared or sold. Data obtained through Google APIs is used only to run this tool, in line with the Google API Services User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements.
By watching our videos you are also subject to the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy. Access can be revoked at any time at myaccount.google.com/permissions.
How we use and share information
We use information to produce and improve the show, answer messages, and keep the Services secure. We don't sell or rent personal information, and we share it only with the service providers that host our content, or when the law requires it.
Retention and your choices
We keep messages only as long as needed to respond, and logs only as long as our hosts retain them. You can ask us to access or delete information you sent us using the contact details below. Under-13s shouldn't send us personal information. If they do, we delete it.
Changes
If we change this policy, we'll update the effective date at the top of this page.
Terms of Service
Our take: Nobody loves legalese, but laying out the rules of the jungle is a necessary evil. Here's how we roll, warts and all. Grab a comfy chair.
— The Hot Drop team
By using the Services you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use them.
Information only, not professional advice
The Hot Drop reports and comments on cybersecurity news for general information. It isn't legal, security, or professional advice for your situation. Vulnerability details, patch guidance and threat information change quickly. Check vendor advisories and qualified professionals before acting. You use the information at your own risk.
Our content
Episodes, videos, clips, text, logos and artwork are owned by Nerd Media, LLC or used with permission. You may share links and quote short excerpts with credit. Don't republish, re-upload or sell our content without written permission. Third-party names and trademarks belong to their owners and are mentioned for news reporting only.
Your conduct
When you comment or contact us, don't post anything unlawful, abusive, or that infringes someone else's rights. Don't use the Services to attack, probe or disrupt systems. We may remove comments or block accounts that break these rules.
Third-party platforms
Our content is delivered through platforms we don't control, including YouTube, podcast hosts and social networks, and their own terms apply. Links to other sites are provided for reference. We aren't responsible for their content.
No warranty; limitation of liability
The Services are provided "as is", without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent allowed by law, Nerd Media, LLC isn't liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising from your use of the Services.
Changes
We may update these terms. Continued use after the effective date above means you accept the updated terms.
The Half-Baked Cookie Manifesto
Our take: Take the cookie or hit the road. Not like we could pinpoint your VPNed, encrypted, TOR'd, double-blind, probably hairpin'd signal anyway.
Okay, deep breath. In a grand act of digital self-sabotage, our websites use cookies. Why? So your highness gets a "premium" experience, or whatever. They wait in your browser to welcome you back like a guilty dog that just chewed your favorite shoe, and they tattle on which parts of our sad little corner of the web you obsess over. Feels dirty, doesn't it?
Non-negotiable digital breadcrumbs
Strictly necessary cookies keep the site working and remember your cookie choices. Without them, expect a Groundhog Day scenario every visit, endlessly resetting preferences and wondering where it all went wrong.
Uninvited guests' crumbs
Analytics cookies, such as Google Analytics, count how many of you there are and which pages get the most love (or hate). If you're feeling charitable, leave them on. They feed our delusion that we can make the site better.
Managing these treacherous treats
Want control? Use the cookie settings on our sites, or purge cookies in your browser settings. Opt out and you may have to repeat your choice on later visits. That's on you. Remember that YouTube, podcast apps and social platforms set their own cookies under their own policies.
We update this manifesto now and then, mostly to up our snark game, so check back once in a while. By continuing to use the sites, you're either forgiving our cookie sins or too lazy to navigate away. Either way, cheers.
Contact
For privacy requests or questions about these terms, email DropSite@thehotdrop.live, or reach The Hot Drop on Bluesky at @thehotdrop.live or through The Daily Hot Drop on YouTube.
© 2026 Nerd Media, LLC · The Hot Drop