West Virginia Explorer (“WVExplorer.com,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, when we share it, and the choices available to you when using WVExplorer.com.
By using this website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Who We Are
West Virginia Explorer is an independent digital news and travel publication covering West Virginia’s people, places, history, culture, outdoor recreation, and current events.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
You may voluntarily provide information when you:
- Subscribe to our newsletter.
- Submit a contact form.
- Send us an email.
- Submit news tips or story ideas.
- Comment on articles (where enabled).
- Participate in surveys, contests, or promotions.
Depending on the interaction, this information may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Organization
- Any information you choose to include in your message
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit WVExplorer.com, certain information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device type
- Operating system
- Referring website
- Pages viewed
- Date and time of visits
- Approximate geographic location
- General website usage information
Much of this information is collected through cookies and similar technologies.
How We Use Information
We use collected information to:
- Operate and maintain our website.
- Improve our journalism and user experience.
- Respond to inquiries.
- Send newsletters you request.
- Analyze readership and website performance.
- Detect spam, fraud, and security threats.
- Display advertising that supports our journalism.
- Comply with legal obligations.
Cookies
WVExplorer.com uses cookies and similar technologies to improve website functionality, remember preferences, analyze traffic, and support advertising.
For additional details, please see our Cookie Policy.
Analytics
We may use services such as Google Analytics to better understand how visitors use our website.
Analytics information is generally aggregated and helps us improve our reporting and website performance.
Advertising
WVExplorer.com may display advertisements served by third-party advertising providers.
These providers may use cookies or similar technologies to personalize advertisements, measure campaign effectiveness, and prevent fraud.
Advertising partners operate under their own privacy policies.
Embedded Content
Articles may include embedded videos, maps, photographs, social media posts, or other content from third-party services.
These services may collect information about your interaction with their content just as if you visited their websites directly.
Email Communications
If you subscribe to our newsletter, we may send:
- News updates
- Travel features
- Special announcements
- Publication updates
You may unsubscribe at any time using the link included in our emails.
Sharing Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share information:
- With trusted service providers that help operate our website.
- With analytics providers.
- With advertising partners as necessary to serve advertisements.
- When required by law.
- To protect our legal rights or the safety of others.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards to protect information under our control.
However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide requested services.
- Meet legal obligations.
- Resolve disputes.
- Protect our rights.
- Improve our publication.
Children’s Privacy
WVExplorer.com is intended for a general audience and is not directed toward children under the age of 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If we become aware that such information has been collected, we will take reasonable steps to remove it.
Your Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the ability to:
- Request access to your information.
- Request correction of inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of certain information.
- Object to certain processing activities.
- Withdraw consent where applicable.
To make a privacy request, please contact us using the information below.
Third-Party Websites
WVExplorer.com contains links to external websites operated by government agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, tourism organizations, and other third parties.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.
We encourage users to review the privacy policies of those websites.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our business practices.
The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when changes were most recently made.
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:
West Virginia Explorer
Email: info@wvexplorer.com
Website: https://wvexplorer.com