Last Updated: July 2023
Houston Stringer (“Houston Stringer,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you provide while using our website, social media platforms, newsletters, podcasts, livestreams, mobile applications, and other services (collectively, the “Services”).
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, when we may share it, and the choices available to you.
By using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with Houston Stringer, we may collect the following types of information.
Information You Provide
You may voluntarily provide information including:
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Mailing address
- Organization or employer
- News tips
- Story submissions
- Contributor applications
- Photos, videos, documents, or other materials you choose to submit
- Communications sent through email, contact forms, or social media
Providing this information is voluntary, although some Services may not be available without it.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Operating system
- Device information
- Pages viewed
- Time spent on pages
- Referral website
- Date and time of access
- General geographic location
- Website usage statistics
This information helps us understand how visitors use our Services and improve website performance.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Houston Stringer may use cookies, pixels, local storage, and similar technologies to:
- Remember user preferences
- Improve website functionality
- Analyze website traffic
- Measure audience engagement
- Improve user experience
- Support advertising, if applicable
Most web browsers allow users to manage or disable cookies through browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain website features.
How We Use Information
We may use collected information to:
- Publish news and community information
- Respond to inquiries
- Process contributor applications
- Investigate news tips
- Improve website performance
- Analyze audience engagement
- Send newsletters or updates if requested
- Maintain website security
- Prevent fraud or abuse
- Comply with legal obligations
- Enforce our Terms of Service
News Tips and Submitted Content
Information voluntarily submitted to Houston Stringer, including news tips, photographs, videos, interviews, documents, or other materials, may be used in news reporting or related editorial content unless otherwise agreed.
Submitting information does not guarantee publication.
Houston Stringer reserves full editorial discretion regarding whether, when, and how submitted materials are used.
Sharing Information
Houston Stringer does not sell your personal information.
We may disclose information to:
- Service providers that help operate our website or services
- Website hosting providers
- Email and newsletter providers
- Analytics providers
- Payment processors, if applicable
- Legal counsel
- Law enforcement or government agencies when required by law
- Courts or other parties pursuant to lawful legal process
We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, safety, or security of Houston Stringer, our users, or the public.
Third-Party Websites
Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, advertisers, embedded videos, or other external services.
Houston Stringer is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites. Users should review the privacy policies of those services independently.
Analytics and Advertising
Houston Stringer may use analytics tools to better understand website traffic and improve user experience.
If advertising is displayed on our website, advertising partners may use cookies or similar technologies to measure performance or personalize advertisements where permitted by law.
Houston Stringer does not control the privacy practices of third-party advertisers.
Data Security
Houston Stringer uses commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
However, no method of transmitting or storing electronic information is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children’s Privacy
Houston Stringer does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without appropriate legal authorization.
If you believe a child has submitted personal information, please contact us so appropriate action may be taken.
Your Privacy Choices
Subject to applicable law, you may request to:
- Access certain personal information we maintain about you.
- Correct inaccurate personal information.
- Request deletion of certain personal information.
- Unsubscribe from newsletters or promotional communications.
- Manage cookies through your browser settings.
Certain requests may be denied where Houston Stringer has legal obligations or where records are maintained for journalistic, archival, legal, or public interest purposes.
Journalistic Exemption
Houston Stringer is an independent news organization engaged in journalism and matters of public interest.
To the extent permitted by applicable federal, state, or local law, including privacy laws that recognize exemptions for journalistic activities, information collected, maintained, processed, or published solely for news gathering, reporting, commentary, editorial purposes, historical archives, or matters of legitimate public concern may be exempt from certain privacy rights or requests.
Nothing in this Privacy Policy shall be interpreted to require Houston Stringer to alter, remove, suppress, or delete lawfully published news content, public records, historical archives, or other information maintained for journalistic, editorial, or public interest purposes where permitted by law.
Legal Compliance
Houston Stringer may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, court order, warrant, or other lawful legal process, or when necessary to investigate suspected unlawful activity, protect legal rights, or ensure public safety.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
Houston Stringer may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Any updates become effective upon posting the revised Privacy Policy on this website. Continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
Contact Us
Questions regarding this Privacy Policy or privacy-related requests may be submitted using the contact information published on the Houston Stringer website.