Effective Date: December 1, 2025
Pinal Post LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates PinalPost.com (the “Website”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our Website or use our services.
By using the Website, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the Website.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
We collect information you voluntarily provide, including:
- Comments: When you leave a comment, we collect your name, email address, website (optional), and the content of your comment. We also collect your IP address and browser user agent for spam detection.
- Email Subscriptions: When you subscribe to our newsletter or alerts, we collect your email address and any preferences you provide.
- Event Submissions: When you submit an event to our calendar, we collect the event details and your contact information.
- Contact Forms: When you contact us, we collect your name, email address, and message content.
- Media Uploads: If you upload images to the Website (such as with comments or event submissions), you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors to the Website may be able to download and extract location data from images.
- User Accounts: If you register for an account on our Website, we collect the information you provide in your user profile. You can view, edit, or request deletion of your personal information at any time by contacting us or accessing your account settings.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the Website, we automatically collect certain information, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Referring website or source
- Approximate geographic location (derived from IP address)
- Date and time of visit
1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies (small text files stored on your device) and similar technologies to collect information and improve your experience. See Section 5 for details.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Publish and display your comments on articles
- Send newsletters, breaking news alerts, and other communications you’ve subscribed to
- Display events you submit on our calendar
- Respond to your inquiries
- Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
- Improve our content and user experience
- Detect and prevent spam, fraud, and security threats
- Display relevant advertisements
- Comply with legal obligations
3. Analytics Services
We use analytics tools to understand how visitors use our Website:
3.1 Matomo Analytics
We use Matomo Analytics to collect pseudonymous usage data. Matomo is hosted on third-party infrastructure (Hostinger), but all data collected is controlled exclusively by Pinal Post LLC. Data collected includes pages visited, device type, approximate location, and referring URLs.
Matomo data is used solely to improve our Website and is not used for advertising profiling or sold to third parties.
3.2 Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics, a service provided by Google LLC, to analyze website traffic. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information about your use of the Website. This information is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.
Google may use this information to evaluate your use of the Website, compile reports on website activity, and provide other services relating to website and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required by law or where third parties process the information on Google’s behalf.
For more information about Google Analytics and how to opt out, visit: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
4. Advertising
We display advertisements on the Website from various sources:
4.1 Google Ads
We use Google Ads to display advertisements. Google and its partners may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our Website and other websites. This is known as interest-based or personalized advertising.
Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your browsing history. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting: https://www.google.com/settings/ads
4.2 Direct Advertisers
We may display advertisements from sponsors and advertisers with whom we have direct relationships. These advertisements do not use behavioral tracking unless otherwise disclosed.
4.3 Advertising Cookies
Advertising partners may set cookies on your device to track ad performance and deliver targeted ads. See Section 5 for information on managing cookies.
5. Cookies
5.1 Types of Cookies We Use
| Cookie Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Enable core functionality (login, comments) | Session to 2 weeks |
| Analytics | Track website usage via Matomo and Google Analytics | Up to 2 years |
| Advertising | Serve and measure ads via Google Ads | Up to 2 years |
| Preferences | Remember your settings and choices | Up to 1 year |
5.2 WordPress Cookies
If you leave a comment, you may opt in to saving your name, email address, and website in cookies for your convenience. These cookies last for one year.
If you log in, we set cookies to save your login information and display preferences. Login cookies last for two days (or two weeks if you select “Remember Me”). These cookies are removed when you log out.
5.3 Embedded Content
Articles may include embedded content (videos, social media posts, etc.) from other websites. Embedded content from other websites behaves as if you visited that website directly. These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, and monitor your interaction with the embedded content.
5.4 Managing Cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
- Block third-party cookies
- Block cookies from specific sites
- Block all cookies
- Delete all cookies when you close the browser
Note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect Website functionality.
Opt-out links:
- Google Analytics: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Google Ads: https://www.google.com/settings/ads
- Digital Advertising Alliance: https://optout.aboutads.info
- Network Advertising Initiative: https://optout.networkadvertising.org
5.5 Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) setting that sends a signal to websites requesting that your browsing not be tracked. Our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals. However, you can use the opt-out tools listed above to manage tracking preferences.
6. Email Communications
6.1 Newsletter and Alerts
We use FluentCRM to manage email subscriptions. When you subscribe, we collect your email address and store it on servers controlled by Pinal Post LLC.
We may track email engagement metrics, including:
- Whether you opened an email
- Which links you clicked
- Delivery and bounce status
This data helps us improve our newsletter content and is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
6.2 Unsubscribing
You may unsubscribe at any time by:
- Clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email
- Contacting us at [email protected]
We will process unsubscribe requests within 10 business days.
7. Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
7.1 Service Providers
We share data with third-party service providers who help us operate the Website, including:
- Hostinger — Web and analytics hosting
- Google — Analytics and advertising services
- Automattic — Gravatar profile images (if you use Gravatar)
- Spam detection services — Comment moderation
These providers are contractually obligated to use your data only to provide services to us.
7.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
7.3 Business Transfers
If Pinal Post LLC is acquired or merged with another company, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
7.4 With Your Consent
We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit consent to do so.
7.5 Password Resets
If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email sent to you.
8. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy:
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Comments | Indefinitely (to manage follow-up comments) |
| Email subscriptions | Until you unsubscribe |
| User accounts | Until you request deletion |
| Analytics data | Up to 26 months |
| Server logs | Up to 12 months |
| Event submissions | Until the event has passed, plus 1 year |
We may retain certain data longer if required for legal, security, or administrative purposes.
9. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:
- HTTPS encryption for data in transit
- Secure hosting infrastructure
- Limited access to personal data
- Regular security updates
However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.
10. Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations)
- Data Portability: Request an export of your data in a portable format
- Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or opt out of certain tracking
To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to requests within 30 days.
10.1 California Residents
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
- The right to request deletion of your personal information
- The right to opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
- The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
To submit a CCPA request, contact us at [email protected].
10.2 International Visitors
If you are visiting from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where our servers are located. By using the Website, you consent to this transfer.
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you may have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Contact us at [email protected] to exercise these rights.
11. Children’s Privacy
The Website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Children under 13 may not use interactive features of the Website, including comments, email subscriptions, or event submissions.
If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us at [email protected].
12. Third-Party Links
The Website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any website you visit.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting a notice on the Website or updating the “Effective Date” at the top of this policy.
Your continued use of the Website after changes are made constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
By using the Website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.