1. What Data We Collect
Depending on how you use the site, we may collect:
If you visit the site:
- IP address, browser type and version, operating system
- Pages visited, time spent on pages, referring URL
- General location (country/city level, not precise)
If you subscribe to our newsletter:
- Email address
- Name (if you choose to provide it)
If you create an account:
- Username, email address, and password (stored encrypted)
If you contact us:
- Your name, email address, and the contents of your message
We don't collect payment information — we don't sell products or process transactions directly on this site.
2. Why We Collect It
We use the data we collect to:
- Deliver and improve the site experience
- Send newsletters to subscribers who have opted in
- Respond to messages and enquiries
- Understand how content performs (which articles readers find useful, where they come from)
- Comply with legal obligations
We don't sell your personal data to anyone. We don't use it for automated decision-making that affects you in any meaningful way.
3. Third-Party Services
Running a modern website means using some third-party tools. Here's what we use and why:
Google Analytics — We use this to understand site traffic: how many people visit, which pages they read, where they come from. Google processes this data under their own privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy
Google Site Kit — This is how we connect our WordPress site to Google's various tools (Analytics, Search Console). No additional data collection beyond Google Analytics above.
Mailchimp / Newsletter Provider — If you subscribe to our newsletter, your email is stored with our email provider. They process it solely to send you emails on our behalf.
WordPress — Our site runs on WordPress. Certain technical data (logins, comments, form submissions) passes through WordPress's infrastructure.
Social Media Embeds — Some articles include embedded content from YouTube, Twitter/X, or Instagram. If you interact with these embeds, those platforms may collect data under their own policies.
When we share data with third parties, we require them to handle it securely and use it only for the purposes we've specified.
5. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your data: encrypted storage for passwords, HTTPS across the site, and restricted access to personal data within our team.
That said, no system is completely secure. If you suspect your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at privacy@theimperialtimes.com.
6. How Long We Keep Your Data
We don't hold onto data longer than necessary:
- Newsletter subscribers: Until you unsubscribe
- Account data: Until you delete your account
- Contact form submissions: Up to 12 months
- Analytics data: As per Google Analytics' default retention settings (26 months)
- Server logs: Up to 90 days
7. Children's Privacy
The Imperial Times is a general-interest news and magazine site. We don't knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact us at privacy@theimperialtimes.com and we'll delete it promptly.
8. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the following rights:
- Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Correction — ask us to fix inaccurate or incomplete data
- Deletion — ask us to delete your data
- Restriction — ask us to pause how we use your data
- Portability — receive your data in a usable format
- Objection — object to certain types of processing (e.g. direct marketing)
- Withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time
To exercise any of these rights, email privacy@theimperialtimes.com. We'll respond within 30 days.
If you're in the EU or UK and feel we've handled your data improperly, you have the right to file a complaint with your local data protection authority.
9. Changes to This Policy
If we make material changes to this policy, we'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top and, where appropriate, notify newsletter subscribers. Continued use of the site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
The Imperial Times is operated by Metafied Lab. For privacy enquiries: privacy@theimperialtimes.com