Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 1, 2025 | Last Updated: January 1, 2025
WA New (wanew.org) is a nonprofit news and civic engagement organization dedicated to transparent, accountable journalism focused on Washington State policy and public life. We take the privacy of our readers, contributors, newsletter subscribers, and civic participants seriously. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you visit our website or engage with our content and services.
By using wanew.org, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our platform.
Who We Are
WA New is a nonprofit news organization operating under Washington State law. Our mission is to provide nonpartisan, policy-focused journalism and to amplify civic voices across Washington State — from Seattle to Spokane, from the Puget Sound to the Palouse. We do not operate for commercial profit, and we do not sell personal data to third parties for advertising or marketing purposes.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
When you interact with WA New, you may voluntarily provide personal information, including:
- Name and email address when subscribing to our newsletter or creating an account
- Contact information when submitting a tip, letter to the editor, or press inquiry
- Donation information when making a financial contribution to support our nonprofit journalism, which may be processed through a third-party payment processor
- Survey or feedback responses when participating in reader engagement initiatives
We collect only what is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was submitted.
Information Collected Automatically
Like most websites, wanew.org automatically collects certain technical information when you visit, including:
- IP address and general geographic location (state or city level)
- Browser type and device information
- Pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies used to understand how readers navigate our site
This data is collected in aggregate and is used to improve editorial content, site performance, and reader experience. We do not use this data to build individual advertising profiles.
How We Use Your Information
WA New uses collected information for the following purposes:
- Delivering journalism and newsletters: To send you the content you have requested, including breaking news alerts, weekly policy briefings, and civic engagement updates
- Improving our platform: To analyze readership trends, identify underserved coverage areas, and enhance site functionality
- Processing donations: To facilitate and acknowledge financial contributions that support our nonprofit mission
- Responding to inquiries: To reply to tips, press requests, or reader feedback
- Legal compliance: To meet obligations under applicable Washington State and federal law
We do not use your personal information for targeted advertising, and we do not sell, rent, or trade your data to commercial third parties.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
WA New uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to remember your preferences and measure site traffic. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, though doing so may affect certain site features.
We may use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand aggregate reader behavior. These services have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them. We configure these tools to anonymize IP addresses where possible.
Information Sharing
WA New does not sell personal information. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers: Trusted vendors who assist with email delivery, payment processing, or website hosting, bound by confidentiality agreements
- Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority under Washington State or federal jurisdiction
- Organizational transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or transfer of nonprofit assets, users will be notified in advance
Your Rights and Choices
As a reader and participant, you have meaningful rights over your personal information:
- Access and correction: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you and ask us to correct inaccuracies
- Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
- Opt-out: You may unsubscribe from our newsletter or email communications at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly
- Do Not Track: WA New respects browser-level Do Not Track signals to the extent technically feasible
Washington State residents may have additional rights under the Washington My Health MY Data Act and other applicable state privacy statutes. We are committed to honoring those rights.
Data Security
WA New employs reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. These include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), access controls, and regular security reviews. No system is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection, but we take our responsibility seriously.
Children's Privacy
WA New does not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 13. Our content is intended for adult readers engaged in civic and policy matters. If you believe a minor has submitted personal information to our platform, please contact us immediately.
Third-Party Links
Our articles and pages may contain links to external websites, government resources, or partner organizations. WA New is not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before submitting any personal information.
Changes to This Policy
WA New may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will post an updated version on this page with a revised effective date and, where appropriate, notify subscribers by email. Your continued use of wanew.org following any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact WA New at:
WA New
wanew.org
Email: [email protected]
We are committed to responding to all privacy inquiries within a reasonable timeframe and to upholding the trust that our readers place in us as a civic institution.
WA New is a nonprofit organization. Our journalism is funded by reader donations and grants, not by advertising revenue or the sale of personal data. We believe that protecting your privacy is inseparable from our mission of serving the public interest.
