Effective Date: January 1, 2024 | Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Napa Chronicle ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit napachronicle.com (the "Site"), how we use that information, and the choices you have. By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide to Us
We collect information you voluntarily provide, including:
- Contact form submissions: Your name, email address, and message content when you contact us through our contact form.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the Site, certain information is collected automatically by our servers and third-party analytics tools, including:
- Log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and timestamps
- Device information: Device type, screen resolution, and browser settings
- Cookies and similar technologies: Small data files stored on your device. See our Cookie Policy for details.
- Usage data: How you interact with the Site, including which articles you click, pages visited, and time spent
1.3 Information We Do Not Collect
We do not collect Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, payment card information, government-issued ID numbers, or health or medical information.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Site
- Respond to your contact form submissions and inquiries
- Analyze site usage to understand what content is most valuable to our readers
- Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and technical problems
- Comply with legal obligations
We do not use your information for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.
3. Sharing of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
We may share information in the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers: Trusted third-party companies that help us operate the Site (e.g., web hosting, analytics). These providers access information only as necessary to perform their functions and are contractually prohibited from using it for other purposes.
- Legal compliance: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, the safety of users, or the public.
- Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred. We will notify you via a prominent notice on the Site before such a transfer occurs.
4. Third-Party Links and Embedded Content
Our Site displays links to third-party news articles. When you click a link, you leave our Site and are subject to the privacy practices of the destination website. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
We may embed third-party widgets such as weather tools. These may collect information independently in accordance with their own privacy policies.
5. Analytics
We may use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our Site. These services may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your use of the Site. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
6. Data Retention
We retain contact form submissions for up to 12 months and then delete them, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Server log files are retained for up to 90 days. Cookie data is retained for the duration described in our Cookie Policy.
7. Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect your information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.
9. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Data portability (in certain circumstances)
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at editor@napachronicle.com. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law.
For California-specific rights, see our California Privacy Rights page. For EU/EEA rights, see our EU Privacy (GDPR) page.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised policy on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. For material changes, we may provide additional notice on the Site. Your continued use of the Site after any change constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
editor@napachronicle.com
Napa Chronicle | Napa, CA 94559