Privacy Policy for Press What Matters

Effective Date: February 27, 2026

Press What Matters ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website presswhatmatters.com (the "Site") and is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Site, engage with our content, or use our services as a free speech and real news network. By accessing or using the Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through the Site and does not apply to information collected offline or via channels other than the Site.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

Personal Information

• Information You Provide Voluntarily: When you register for an account, subscribe to newsletters, comment on articles, participate in forums, submit user-generated content, or contact us, you may provide personal information such as your name, email address, username, password, or other contact details.
• Payment Information: If you make donations, purchases, or subscriptions through the Site, we may collect billing information (e.g., credit card details). This is processed through secure third-party payment processors and not stored on our servers.

Non-Personal Information

• Automatically Collected Information: When you visit the Site, we may automatically collect data such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, time spent on pages, device identifiers, and usage patterns. This is gathered using cookies, web beacons, log files, and similar technologies.
• Location Data: We may collect approximate location information based on your IP address to customize content or ads.
• Analytics Data: We use tools like Google Analytics to track user behavior and improve the Site.

User-Generated Content

If you post comments, articles, or other content on the Site, this may include personal information you choose to share publicly. Such content is visible to other users and may be indexed by search engines.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain the Site, including delivering news content, facilitating discussions, and enabling free speech features.
• To personalize your experience, such as recommending articles or tailoring ads based on your interests.
• To communicate with you, including sending newsletters, updates, or responses to inquiries.
• To process transactions, such as donations or subscriptions.
• To analyze usage trends, improve content, and enhance Site functionality.
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or security threats.
• To comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms, or protect our rights.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. However, we may share information in these circumstances:

• Service Providers: With vendors, consultants, and third-party service providers (e.g., hosting services, analytics tools, payment processors) who need access to perform services on our behalf. These parties are bound by confidentiality obligations.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, court order, or government request, or to protect the safety of users or the public.
• Aggregated or Anonymized Data: We may share non-personally identifiable data with partners for research or marketing purposes.
• With Your Consent: For any other purpose with your explicit permission.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for Site functionality (e.g., session management).
• Performance Cookies: To analyze how users interact with the Site.
• Advertising Cookies: To deliver relevant ads through third-party networks.
• Social Media Plugins: Features like share buttons may collect data via third-party cookies (e.g., from X, Facebook).

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may limit Site features. For more information, visit our Cookie Policy (if applicable) or sites like allaboutcookies.org.

5. Third-Party Links and Services

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, advertisers, or social media platforms. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their policies before providing information.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Children's Privacy

The Site is not intended for children under 13 years of age (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware of such collection, we will delete the information promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has submitted information should contact us immediately.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location (e.g., under GDPR, CCPA, or similar laws), you may have rights such as:

• Accessing, correcting, or deleting your personal information.
• Opting out of marketing communications (via unsubscribe links).
• Requesting data portability.
• Objecting to processing or withdrawing consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [[email protected]]. We may require verification of your identity. For California residents, you have the right to opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data) and to know what information we collect.

9. International Data Transfers

If you are accessing the Site from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the US, where data protection laws may differ. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance.