PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: October 10, 2026|Last Updated: October 10, 2026
Introduction
This Privacy Policy describes how Times Chicago LLC (“Times Chicago,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) may collect, receive, use, store, disclose, and otherwise process information in connection with https://www.timeschicago.com/ and related digital services, including news articles, newsletters, contact forms, reader communications, interactive features, and any associated services (collectively, the “Services”). It is intended to provide a detailed explanation of our privacy practices. It must be checked against the Services and technologies actually in use before publication; this document is not a claim that every practice described is currently enabled.
1. Who We Are and Scope of This Policy
Times Chicago LLC operates the website identified above. This Policy applies to information processed through the Services and to communications you send to us in connection with them. It does not automatically apply to independent third-party websites, services, or platforms that we do not control.
If a particular feature has a separate privacy notice, subscription agreement, contest rule, or other specific terms, that notice may supplement this Policy for that feature. If a separate notice conflicts with this Policy, the separate notice will govern to the extent stated in it and permitted by law.
2. Categories of Information We May Collect
Information you provide directly. This may include your name, email address, message contents, newsletter preferences, comments, survey responses, news tips, photographs, videos, documents, story ideas, and other information you choose to submit through forms, email, or other communication channels.
Technical and device information. When you visit the Services, our systems or service providers may receive information such as IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, language settings, referring or exit pages, pages viewed, dates and times of visits, approximate location inferred from an IP address, and diagnostic or security logs.
Usage and interaction information. Depending on the features enabled, we may collect information about how visitors navigate the website, which pages or links they use, whether content or newsletters are opened, and interactions with embedded media or other website features.
Cookie and similar technology data. Cookies, pixels, local storage, tags, or similar tools may be used for essential functionality, preference management, audience measurement, security, advertising, or performance analytics, where enabled and permitted.
Information from other sources. We may receive information from vendors, newsletter or hosting providers, analytics services, social media platforms, or other sources when those sources lawfully provide it to us or when you choose to interact with them.
3. How We Use Information
We may use information for the following purposes, as relevant to the Services:
- To operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve the website and its features.
- To respond to questions, messages, corrections, feedback, press inquiries, and news tips.
- To send newsletters or updates when requested and to manage subscriptions and unsubscribe requests.
- To review submissions and support editorial, reporting, moderation, and publication workflows.
- To understand readership, measure audience engagement, and assess content performance.
- To detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to fraud, spam, abuse, security incidents, and technical problems.
- To enforce our terms, protect our rights, and protect users, staff, sources, and the public.
- To comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, regulatory obligations, and court orders.
- To establish, exercise, or defend legal claims and to maintain appropriate business records.
4. Legal Bases for Processing Where Required
Depending on the applicable privacy law and the context, our processing may rely on one or more lawful grounds, such as your consent; the need to provide a service or take steps you request; compliance with a legal obligation; our legitimate interests in operating a news publication, securing our services, communicating with readers, and improving our website; or the establishment, exercise, or defence of legal claims.
Where consent is required, you may withdraw it as permitted by law. Withdrawal does not affect processing that took place before withdrawal or processing that relies on another lawful basis.
5. News Tips, Sources, and Confidential Information
News tips and editorial submissions may contain personal, confidential, or sensitive information about you or other people. Please consider the risks before sending such material. Standard email and ordinary website forms may not be encrypted end-to-end, anonymous, or suitable for highly sensitive information.
Sending a news tip does not automatically create a confidential, privileged, or legally protected journalist-source relationship. Any source-protection obligations depend on the circumstances and applicable law. If confidentiality is important, contact the editorial team before sending sensitive information and ask whether an appropriate secure method is available.
Please do not submit information you are not legally entitled to disclose, or personal information about another person that is unnecessary for the matter you are reporting.
8. How We Disclose Information
We may disclose information in the following circumstances, subject to applicable law:
- Service providers. To vendors that provide hosting, security, website maintenance, email delivery, newsletter management, analytics, technical support, or similar services.
- Editorial and user-directed sharing. Where you ask us to publish or share a submission, or where publication is part of the service you requested. We will consider the context and any applicable agreement or legal obligation.
- Legal and safety matters. Where we reasonably believe disclosure is required by law, legal process, or a valid governmental request, or is necessary to protect rights, safety, property, or the integrity of the Services.
- Business transactions. In connection with a proposed or completed merger, restructuring, financing, acquisition, sale, or transfer of some or all of the relevant business or assets, subject to appropriate safeguards.
- With consent or at your direction. Where you have requested or authorized a particular disclosure.
We do not make a blanket promise that information is never shared or sold. Any statement about sale, sharing for targeted advertising, or other regulated data use must reflect our actual practices and applicable law.
9. Advertising, Sponsorships, and Third-Party Tools
The Services may contain advertisements, sponsored content, affiliate links, social media features, video players, maps, or other third-party integrations. If enabled, these third parties may collect information directly through their tools and may combine it with information they already hold, subject to their own privacy notices and settings.
Times Chicago should identify relevant advertising, analytics, affiliate, and embedded-content providers and explain applicable opt-out or consent choices where required. The presence of a link, advertisement, or sponsor does not necessarily constitute an endorsement.
10. Data Retention
We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer period is required or permitted by law. Retention may depend on the type of information, the purpose for collection, legal obligations, security needs, dispute resolution, and editorial or recordkeeping requirements.
For example, correspondence may be retained long enough to respond and maintain business records; subscription data may be retained while a subscription is active and for a reasonable period afterward; and technical logs may be retained for security, diagnostics, and operational purposes. Actual retention periods should be set according to the systems and vendors in use.
11. Security Measures
We may use administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. Measures may include access controls, service-provider safeguards, software updates, and security monitoring, depending on the systems used.
No method of transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. If a security incident occurs, we will take steps required by applicable law and appropriate to the circumstances.
12. Privacy Rights and Choices
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights to request access to personal information, obtain a portable copy, correct inaccurate information, request deletion, object to or restrict certain processing, withdraw consent, or appeal a decision concerning a privacy request.
You may also have rights to opt out of certain sales, sharing, targeted advertising, profiling, or other processing where those concepts and rights apply under the law governing your request. The availability and scope of rights vary by jurisdiction and are subject to legal exceptions.
To make a request, email worldnews@timeschicago.com and describe the request and the website interaction involved. We may ask for information reasonably necessary to verify your identity and authority, and we will respond within the time required by applicable law. We will not unlawfully discriminate against you for exercising a privacy right.
If an authorized agent submits a request on your behalf, we may require proof of the agent's authority and, where permitted, verification directly with you.
13. Children and Minors
The Services are intended for a general audience and are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children under 13 through the Services. If you believe a child has submitted personal information, contact us at worldnews@timeschicago.com so we can review the situation and take appropriate action.
If a feature is designed for children or we learn that we have collected children's information in circumstances requiring parental consent or additional safeguards, we will address that collection in accordance with applicable law.
14. Third-Party Websites and Social Media
The Services may link to third-party websites or display content hosted by third parties. Those websites and providers operate independently and have their own privacy policies, security practices, and terms. We are not responsible for their independent practices. Review their notices before providing information or interacting with their features.
15. International Data Transfers
Times Chicago is identified in this Policy as operating from the United States. Depending on your location and our service providers, information may be processed in the United States or other countries whose privacy laws may differ from those where you live.
Where applicable law requires safeguards for international transfers, we will use an appropriate transfer mechanism or other lawful basis. The safeguards actually used should be confirmed with the relevant service providers.
16. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Signals
Some browsers and devices offer privacy signals or settings intended to communicate a user's preferences. The legal effect of these signals varies by jurisdiction and over time. Where applicable law requires us to recognize a particular signal, we will do so as required. This Policy should be updated to describe the specific signals supported by the website and its consent-management tools.
17. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Policy to reflect changes in our Services, data practices, service providers, or legal requirements. The “Last Updated” date at the beginning of the Policy indicates when it was most recently revised. Where required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before implementing material changes.
18. Contact and Privacy Requests
For privacy questions, requests, or concerns, contact:
Times Chicago LLC
1246 J Clark St, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60603, United States
Email: worldnews@timeschicago.com
Website: https://www.timeschicago.com/
Please do not include passwords, payment-card details, government identification numbers, or other unnecessary sensitive information in an initial email.
19. Important Notice About This Policy
This document is a general privacy-policy template, not legal advice. It must be reviewed and customized to match the website's actual data collection, advertising, analytics, newsletter, hosting, and security practices. Publishing statements that do not match actual practices may mislead visitors or create legal risk.
Before publication, confirm the business details, list the actual service providers and technologies, establish retention periods, configure any legally required cookie consent and privacy-request processes, and obtain qualified legal review where appropriate.