Privacy Policy

Overview

Breakline ("Breakline", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect and use your information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at breakline.news (the "Site").

Breakline is an independent news publication dedicated to providing quality journalism and news coverage. We believe in transparency and accountability, both in our reporting and in how we handle your personal information.

By using Breakline, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Site.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in several ways to provide and improve our services:

Information You Provide Directly

• Email address when you subscribe to our newsletter
• Name and contact information when you contact us or submit news tips
• Comments, feedback, or other content you submit to us
• Survey responses and other voluntary information you provide
• Payment information if you make a donation or subscription (processed securely through third-party providers)

Automatically Collected Information

• Device information (operating system, browser type, device identifiers)
• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Pages viewed, articles read, time spent on the Site, and navigation paths
• Referral source (the website you came from)
• Cookies, pixels, and similar tracking technologies

Information from Third Parties

• Analytics data from service providers like Google Analytics
• Social media information if you interact with us on social platforms
• Aggregated demographic data from advertising partners

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Deliver news content and articles to you
• Send you newsletters and news alerts you've subscribed to
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Improve our Site and tailor content to your interests
• Analyze readership patterns and trends to improve our journalism
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms of service
• Send you updates about our services (you can opt out at any time)
• Measure the effectiveness of our content and advertising

3. How We Disclose Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: We share data with third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf (email delivery, analytics, hosting, payment processing).
• Advertising Partners: We may share aggregated, non-personally identifiable information with advertising partners to deliver relevant ads.
• Legal Requirements: We disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, safety, and the safety of others.
• Business Transfers: In connection with mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
• With Your Consent: We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

Note: Breakline does not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you use our Site
• Measure the effectiveness of our content and advertising
• Provide personalized content recommendations
• Analyze traffic patterns via Google Analytics and similar services

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete cookies. However, blocking all cookies may impact your experience on our Site.

5. Your Advertising Choices

We may display interest-based advertising on our Site. You can opt out of targeted advertising through:

• Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info
• Network Advertising Initiative: optout.networkadvertising.org
• Your browser's "Do Not Track" settings
• Your mobile device's advertising settings

6. Information Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

• All data is encrypted in transit using SSL/TLS
• Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel only
• Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant third-party providers

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Newsletter subscriber information is retained until you unsubscribe. Analytics data may be retained in aggregated form for statistical purposes.

8. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Marketing Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails via the unsubscribe link in any email
• Data Portability: Request your data in a portable format
• Object to Processing: Object to certain types of data processing

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@breakline.news

9. State-Specific Privacy Rights

California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

Other U.S. State Privacy Rights

Residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and other states with comprehensive privacy laws have similar rights to access, delete, correct, and port their data. Contact us using the information below to exercise these rights.

10. International Data Transfers

Our Site is intended for a U.S. audience. If you access our Site from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using our Site, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

11. Third-Party Websites

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Children's Privacy

Our Site is not directed to children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@breakline.news.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. For significant changes, we may provide additional notice. Your continued use of our Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.