Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 15, 2026

The Ethical Local ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website theethicallocal.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you visit our site.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our site, our analytics tools may collect standard web log data including your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, and referring URL. We use privacy-respecting analytics to understand how readers engage with our content.

1.2 Newsletter Subscriptions

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address. We use this solely to deliver our newsletter and will never sell or share your email with third parties.

1.3 Cookies

Our site uses minimal cookies required for basic functionality. We do not use advertising trackers or sell data to third parties.

2. How We Use Information

We use collected information to:

• Deliver and improve our content and reader experience
• Send newsletters to subscribers who opt in
• Analyze readership trends to inform our editorial decisions
• Maintain site security and performance
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Use of Artificial Intelligence

The Ethical Local utilizes artificial intelligence tools in its editorial operations, including content production, research, and business review workflows. AI tools may process aggregated site data for analytics purposes, but we do not use AI to collect, profile, or make automated decisions about individual users.

4. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share aggregated, non-identifiable analytics data in our reporting.

5. Data Retention

• Analytics data: retained for up to 24 months
• Newsletter subscriber data: retained until you unsubscribe
• Server logs: retained typically for 90 days

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request access to personal data we hold about you
• Request deletion of your personal data
• Unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time
• Opt out of analytics tracking

7. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you may have the right to know what personal information is collected, request its deletion, and opt out of the "sale" of your personal information. Contact us at [email protected] with "CCPA Request" in the subject line.

8. Children's Privacy

Our site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

10. Contact

For privacy-related inquiries, contact us at [email protected].