The Jersey Vindicator (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our readers, supporters, sources, and visitors. This privacy policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, when we share it, and the choices available to you.

As a nonprofit newsroom, we collect only the information reasonably necessary to publish journalism, communicate with our readers, operate our organization, and fulfill our legal obligations.

By using our website, you agree to the practices described in this privacy policy.

Our commitment to privacy

Protecting the privacy of our readers and sources is fundamental to our mission.

We strive to collect only the information we need, safeguard it using reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures, and use it responsibly. We do not sell personal information to advertisers or data brokers.

Nothing in this policy changes our separate commitments regarding confidential sources described in our sources & attribution policy.

Information we collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect the following types of information.

Information you provide

You may voluntarily provide information when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletters.
• Make a donation.
• Contact us by email or through our website.
• Submit a news tip.
• Request a correction.
• Apply for employment, internship, or volunteer opportunities.
• Register for an event.
• Participate in surveys or questionnaires.
• Submit photographs, videos, documents, or other materials.
• Communicate with our newsroom.

This information may include:

• Name
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Organization or employer (if provided)
• Payment information processed by third-party payment providers
• The contents of your communications with us

Providing this information is voluntary, but some services may not function without it.

Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Operating system
• Referring website
• Pages viewed
• Date and time of visits
• Approximate geographic location derived from your IP address
• Other standard website usage information

This information helps us understand how readers use our website, improve performance, maintain security, and identify technical problems.

Cookies and similar technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember user preferences.
• Improve website performance.
• Measure readership and audience engagement.
• Analyze traffic patterns.
• Help protect the security of our website.

Most web browsers allow you to disable or manage cookies through your browser settings. Some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

How we use information

We may use information we collect to:

• Publish and improve our journalism.
• Respond to questions and requests.
• Investigate news tips.
• Process donations.
• Send newsletters and other communications you request.
• Operate and improve our website.
• Understand how readers use our services.
• Detect fraud, abuse, or security threats.
• Comply with legal obligations.
• Protect our rights and the rights of others.

We use personal information only for legitimate business, editorial, operational, or legal purposes.

News tips and confidential communications

We welcome news tips from the public.

Some communications with our newsroom may be treated as confidential, consistent with our editorial policies and applicable law. However, not every communication automatically creates a confidential source relationship.

Individuals seeking heightened confidentiality should review our secure communications page before submitting particularly sensitive information.

If you wish to communicate anonymously or securely, we encourage you to use the secure methods described on that page.

Donations

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on donations from readers, foundations, and other supporters.

When you make a donation, payment information is generally processed by a third-party payment processor. We do not store complete credit card numbers on our own servers.

We may maintain records of donations as required for accounting, tax reporting, legal compliance, donor stewardship, and organizational operations.

Donations do not influence our editorial decisions. Additional information is available in our editorial independence policy.

Email newsletters

If you subscribe to one of our newsletters, we will use your email address to send the communications you requested.

You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link included in our emails or by contacting us.

We may collect information such as email open rates and link clicks to help improve our newsletters.

Third-party services

We may use third-party service providers to help operate our website and organization, including providers for:

• Website hosting
• Analytics
• Email communications
• Donation processing
• Event registration
• Customer relationship management
• Cloud storage
• Security monitoring

These providers receive only the information reasonably necessary to perform services on our behalf and are expected to protect that information appropriately.

A current list of significant third-party providers may be made available upon request or published on our website.

Embedded content

Our website may include embedded videos, maps, social media posts, or other content provided by third parties.

These services may collect information directly from your browser according to their own privacy policies.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.

Information sharing

We do not sell personal information.

We may share information:

• With service providers acting on our behalf.
• When required by law.
• To protect legal rights or public safety.
• During organizational restructuring if permitted by law.
• With your consent.

We do not share donor information except as required by law, consistent with our donor transparency policies, or with your permission.

Data security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data retention

We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention periods may vary depending on legal obligations, accounting requirements, security needs, newsroom operations, or ongoing reporting.

Children’s privacy

Our website is intended for a general audience.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 15 without appropriate legal authorization.

If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child in violation of applicable law, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

Your choices

Depending on applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Request access to certain personal information we maintain.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of certain information.
• Opt out of marketing communications.
• Manage cookies through your browser settings.

These rights may be subject to legal exceptions.

To make a request, contact us using the information below.

California and other state privacy rights

Residents of certain states may have additional privacy rights under applicable law.

We will comply with applicable privacy laws as required.

International visitors

Our website is operated in the United States.

If you access our website from another country, your information may be processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

Changes to this privacy policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our operations, technology, or legal obligations.

When we make material changes, we will update the effective date and, when appropriate, provide additional notice.

Contact us

Questions about this Privacy Policy may be directed to:

The Jersey Vindicator

Email: editor AT jerseyvindicator.org

Website: www.jerseyvindicator.org