Privacy Policy - A Better Bucks

Your privacy matters to us. A Better Bucks (abetterbucks.com) is a local news and politics site covering Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and we want to be straightforward about what information we collect, why we collect it, and what we do with it.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.

1. What Information We Collect

We collect only the information we need to run the Site, improve your experience, and understand how our readers use local news.

Information You Voluntarily Provide

  • Email signups. If you subscribe to our newsletter or create an account, we collect your email address and any other information you provide (like your name).
  • Comments. When you leave a comment on an article, we collect the name you post under, your email address (for moderation purposes — it's not displayed publicly unless you choose to share it), and the content of your comment.
  • Contact forms and submissions. If you email us or submit a tip, letter to the editor, or other content, we keep the information you send us so we can respond and, if applicable, publish your submission.

Information Collected Automatically

  • Cookies and similar technologies. Like most websites, we use cookies — small text files stored in your browser — to help the Site function properly and understand how readers use it. These may include session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which stay around to remember your preferences).
  • Standard web analytics. We use common web analytics tools to understand things like: which articles are most popular, where our readers come from (e.g., search engines, social media, direct links), what browsers and devices people use, and how long readers spend on the site. This data is collected in aggregate and doesn't personally identify you.
  • Log data. Our servers automatically record basic information like your IP address, browser type, referring page, and the date and time of your visit. We use this to diagnose technical issues and prevent abuse.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for these purposes:

  • To publish and improve local news. We analyze what our community reads and cares about so we can better serve Bucks County.
  • To send you newsletters. If you've signed up, we'll send you emails with headlines, updates, and occasionally important announcements. You can unsubscribe anytime using the link at the bottom of every email.
  • To facilitate community conversation. If you comment or submit content, we use your information to moderate, display, and respond.
  • To keep the Site secure. We monitor for spam, abuse, and technical problems.
  • To comply with the law. We may process your information where required by applicable law or legal process.

We will never sell your personal information to anyone. Full stop. Not now, not ever.

3. Third-Party Services

We use a few standard third-party services to run the Site:

  • Web analytics. We use analytics software (such as Google Analytics or similar tools) to understand site traffic and reader behavior. These services use cookies and collect anonymized data. You can learn more about how Google Analytics handles data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
  • Comment systems. We may use a third-party comment platform to host reader discussions. If we do, that platform's own privacy policy will apply to the content you post there, in addition to these terms.
  • Email services. If you subscribe to a newsletter, we use a third-party email provider to deliver those messages. They have access to your email address solely for the purpose of sending you the emails you've requested.
  • Hosting providers. The Site is hosted by a third-party service provider, which processes data to make the Site available to you.

These services have their own privacy policies that govern how they handle your data. We encourage you to review them.

4. Data Retention

We keep your information only as long as necessary:

  • Email subscriptions. Until you unsubscribe.
  • Comments and submissions. Indefinitely, as they become part of the public record on the Site. If you'd like a comment removed, contact us and we'll consider your request (but aren't obligated to remove it).
  • Analytics data. Aggregated analytics are kept as long as they're useful for understanding site performance. Individual-level analytics data is retained per the analytics provider's standard retention policies.
  • Log data. Server logs are typically retained for a few months.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

  • Access. You can ask us what information we have about you.
  • Correction. You can ask us to correct inaccurate information.
  • Deletion. You can ask us to delete information we hold about you (subject to legal obligations to keep certain records).
  • Opt out of analytics. You can block analytics tracking by using browser privacy settings, installing a privacy extension like uBlock Origin, or enabling Do Not Track headers.
  • Cookie controls. Most browsers let you manage or disable cookies in your settings. Note that blocking certain cookies may affect how the Site works for you.

To exercise any of these rights, email james@jamesjbuckley.com. We'll respond within a reasonable timeframe.

6. Children's Privacy

A Better Bucks is a general-interest local news site not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your information — secure hosting, industry-standard practices, and limited access to personal data. That said, no online service is 100% secure. We can't guarantee absolute security, but we take breaches seriously and will notify affected users if required by law.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we'll revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. If we make significant changes, we'll also post a notice on the Site or notify subscribers by email.

We encourage you to check back periodically — but we'll always keep it written in plain language, not legalese.

9. Contact Us

Questions, concerns, or requests about your privacy? We'd love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading and supporting local news in Bucks County.