Last updated: February 5, 2026

 

 

Appalachia Today™ ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website https://www.appalachatoday.com (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Site.

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We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how data is handled. By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

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1. Information We Collect

 

a. Information You Voluntarily Provide

 

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including but not limited to:

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• Your name and email address when you subscribe to email updates or newsletters through forms provided on the Site

• Information you provide when contacting us via email or contact forms

• Comments or feedback you submit on articles (if enabled)

 

Email signups are currently collected through built-in website forms provided by our website platform. We use these email addresses for limited communication related to Appalachia Today™ and do not send unsolicited marketing emails.

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b. Automatically Collected Information

 

When you visit the Site, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

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• IP address

• Browser type and version

• Device type and operating system

• Pages viewed and time spent on the Site

• Referring URLs

 

This information is used for analytics, site administration, and to improve content and user experience.

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c. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

 

Appalachia Today™ uses cookies and similar technologies to:

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• Understand how visitors use the Site

• Measure traffic and performance

• Improve content and layout

 

You can choose to disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that some features of the Site may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

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2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect to:

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• Operate and maintain the Site

• Respond to inquiries and communications

• Manage email signups and send occasional updates related to Appalachia Today™

• Monitor and analyze usage trends

• Improve website functionality and content

 

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

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3. Third-Party Services

Appalachia Today™ may interact with third-party services and platforms in limited ways that support the operation and visibility of the Site. These may include:

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• Built-in website analytics and functionality provided by our website platform

• Email and form handling services integrated into the Site

• Third-party social media platforms used to share or promote content, verify site ownership, or associate the Site with official social media profiles

 

We do not authorize third parties to place tracking scripts, advertising pixels, or behavioral profiling technologies on the Site beyond what is necessary for basic functionality. Third-party platforms operate under their own privacy policies, and we encourage users to review those policies directly.

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4. Advertising

Appalachia Today™ does not currently display advertising and does not participate in third-party ad networks.

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The Site is presently intended to be supported through gratuities, reader support, and patronage rather than advertising. As a result, we do not currently permit behavioral advertising or ad-based tracking on the Site.

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5. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on this Site may include embedded content (for example, videos, audio players, images, or social media posts). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the same way as if the visitor has visited the other website directly.

 

These third-party websites may collect data about you, use cookies, or monitor your interaction with embedded content according to their own privacy policies. Appalachia Today™ does not control and is not responsible for the privacy practices of these external websites.

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6. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

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Aggregate or anonymized analytics data that does not identify individual users may be retained for longer periods for statistical and editorial analysis purposes.

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7. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

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8. Children’s Information

Appalachia Today™ does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If you believe that a child has provided personal information on the Site, please contact us so that we can promptly remove such information.

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9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your data.

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If you are a resident of California, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to request deletion of personal information, and the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. Appalachia Today™ does not sell or share personal information as defined under these laws.

 

To exercise any applicable privacy rights, please contact us using the information below.

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10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.

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11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, you may contact us at:

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Email: editor@appalachatoday.com

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This Privacy Policy is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.