Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 2025
Privacy Summary
At SwiftNews, we respect your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.
🔒 Quick Summary
- ✅ We collect minimal data - only what's necessary
- ✅ We don't sell your information to anyone
- ✅ We don't require accounts or logins
- ✅ You control cookies - Accept or Decline analytics cookies
- ✅ Analytics blocked by default - loads only if you accept
- ✅ Third-party links have their own privacy policies
Quick Navigation
1. Information We Collect
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit SwiftNews, we automatically collect minimal technical information:
Why: To operate the site, fix bugs, and understand traffic patterns
Retention: 30 days
Why: Remember preferences, ensure functionality
Retention: Varies by cookie type (see Cookies section)
Why: Improve user experience and content
Provider: Google Analytics
Consent Required: Yes - loads only if you click "Accept Cookies"
Note: IP addresses anonymized, you can decline anytime
Information We Do NOT Collect
We do NOT collect:
- ❌ Names, emails, or contact information (no account required)
- ❌ Payment information (site is completely free)
- ❌ Precise geolocation data
- ❌ Social media profiles or connections
- ❌ Personal messages or communications
- ❌ Health, financial, or sensitive personal data
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the minimal data we collect for these purposes only:
Site Operation
Delivering content, ensuring functionality, and maintaining service availability.
Maintenance
Identifying and fixing technical issues, bugs, and performance problems.
Analytics
Understanding which content is popular and how users navigate the site.
Security
Detecting abuse, preventing attacks, and protecting the service.
We do NOT use your data to:
- Sell or rent to third parties
- Send marketing emails (we don't have your email!)
- Create user profiles for advertising
- Track you across other websites
3. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites remember information about your visit.
Your Cookie Choices (EU GDPR Compliant)
🇪🇺 We respect your privacy and give you control:
- ✅ You decide - When you first visit, you can Accept or Decline analytics cookies
- ✅ Blocked by default - Google Analytics does NOT load until you explicitly accept
- ✅ Genuine choice - Declining analytics cookies does not affect site functionality
- ✅ Change anytime - Clear your browser cookies to reset your choice
Types of Cookies We Use
Detailed Cookie Information (GDPR Transparency)
How to Control Cookies
⚠️ Note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent the site from functioning properly.
4. Third-Party Services
SwiftNews uses or may use the following third-party services:
🌐 Netlify (Hosting)
What they do: Host and deliver our website
Data collected: Server logs, IP addresses
Privacy policy: Netlify Privacy
📊 Google Analytics
What they do: Website traffic analysis
Data collected: Anonymized usage data
Privacy policy: Google Privacy
💰 Google AdSense
What they do: Display advertisements
Data collected: Advertising cookies, browsing data
Privacy policy: Google Privacy
External Links
SwiftNews contains links to news articles on external websites. When you click these links, you leave our site and are subject to the privacy policies of those third-party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
Third-party sites we link to include: Billboard, Rolling Stone, E! News, TMZ, People Magazine, and 14 other news sources.
Please review their individual privacy policies before interacting with their content.
5. How We Share Your Information
Legal Disclosures
We may disclose information if required to:
- Comply with legal obligations or court orders
- Enforce our Terms of Service
- Protect the rights, property, or safety of SwiftNews or others
- Prevent fraud or security issues
6. Your Privacy Rights
Rights for All Users
🔍 Right to Know
You can ask what data we have about you (though it's minimal!).
🗑️ Right to Delete
Request deletion of any data we've collected about you.
🚫 Right to Opt-Out
Disable cookies, analytics, and ads using browser controls.
📧 Right to Contact
Reach out with any privacy concerns or questions.
Additional Rights (EU/UK - GDPR)
If you're in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have comprehensive rights under GDPR:
Complete GDPR Rights:
- Right to be Informed: Know how your data is used (this policy)
- Right of Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
- Right to Data Portability: Receive data in machine-readable format
- Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making: Not applicable (we don't use automated decisions)
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Change your cookie choice anytime (clear cookies to reset banner)
- Right to Lodge a Complaint: File complaint with your data protection authority
🇪🇺 EU Data Protection Authorities:
If you're unhappy with how we handle your data, you can lodge a complaint with your local EU data protection authority.
List of EU authorities: European Data Protection Board Members
How Google Analytics Uses Your Data (GDPR Transparency)
Google's Privacy Resources:
Additional Rights (California - CCPA)
If you're a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to delete personal information
- Right to opt-out of sale (though we don't sell data anyway)
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us via our contact page.
We will respond within 30 days.
7. How We Protect Your Data
While no system is 100% secure, we take reasonable measures to protect your information:
HTTPS Encryption
All connections are encrypted with SSL/TLS
Secure Hosting
Hosted on Netlify's secure infrastructure
Limited Access
Only authorized personnel access server data
Data Minimization
We collect only what's necessary
⚠️ Important: While we implement security measures, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. Use the site at your own risk.
8. Children's Privacy
SwiftNews does not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
Our service is intended for general audiences. We do not:
- Direct content specifically to children
- Knowingly collect data from users under 13
- Require age verification (no accounts needed)
If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with information, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.
For parents: We encourage you to monitor your children's internet usage and teach them about online privacy.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes in our practices
- New legal requirements
- New features or services
- User feedback
When we make changes:
- We'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- For significant changes, we may post a notice on the homepage
- Your continued use constitutes acceptance of changes
We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
10. Contact Us About Privacy
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data please use our contact form.
We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days.
Your Privacy Matters 🔒
Now that you understand our privacy practices, get back to enjoying Taylor Swift news!