Privacy Policy

Great Lakes Chronicle (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website located at http://greatlakeschronicle.com (the “Website”). This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, and protected when individuals access or interact with the Website.

Great Lakes Chronicle is an independent news and commentary publication covering news nationally and internationally, with a particular editorial focus on the Great Lakes region of North America. The publication is operated privately to ensure editorial independence and the safety of those involved in its creation.

1. Who We Are

Great Lakes Chronicle is a news and commentary outlet engaged in reporting, analysis, and public-interest journalism. Content published on this Website is intended for informational and educational purposes.

Our website address is: http://greatlakeschronicle.com

2. Information We Collect

a. Comments

When visitors leave comments on the Website, we collect the data shown in the comments form, as well as the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to assist with spam detection, security, and moderation.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also known as a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to determine whether you use it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available through Automattic. After comment approval, a profile image may be publicly visible in the context of the comment.

b. Media Uploads

If you upload images or media to the Website, you should avoid uploading files with embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Media published on the Website may allow visitors to download and extract such data if it exists.

3. Cookies

If you leave a comment on the Website, you may opt in to saving your name, email address, and website in cookies. These cookies are provided for user convenience and typically last for one year.

If you visit the login page, a temporary cookie may be set to determine whether your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is deleted when you close your browser.

When users log in, cookies may be used to store login credentials and display preferences. Login cookies generally last two days, and screen option cookies last up to one year. Selecting “Remember Me” may extend login persistence to two weeks. Logging out removes login cookies.

If you edit or publish content, an additional cookie may be stored indicating the post ID of the edited content. This cookie contains no personal data and expires after one day.

4. Embedded Content From Other Websites

Articles on this Website may include embedded content such as videos, images, or articles from third-party websites. Embedded content behaves in the same manner as if the visitor had accessed the third-party website directly.

Third-party websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed tracking technologies, and monitor interaction with embedded content, particularly if you are logged into an account with that service.

5. Who We Share Your Data With

If you request a password reset, your IP address may be included in the reset email.

We do not sell personal information. Information may be shared with service providers strictly as necessary to operate the Website, maintain security, prevent abuse, or comply with applicable legal obligations.

6. How Long We Retain Your Data

Comments and associated metadata may be retained indefinitely to allow automatic approval of follow-up comments and to preserve the integrity of public discussions.

For registered users (if applicable), personal information provided in user profiles is stored. Users may view, edit, or delete their personal information at any time, except usernames. Website administrators may also access and edit such information.

7. Your Data Rights

Individuals may request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal data held by the Website, subject to legal, administrative, security, and journalistic exemptions.

Requests may be limited or denied where data is retained for public-interest journalism, legal compliance, security, or freedom-of-expression purposes.

8. GDPR Compliance (EU/EEA Residents)

Residents of the European Union or European Economic Area may have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including rights of access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, portability, and withdrawal of consent where applicable.

Great Lakes Chronicle processes personal data under lawful bases including legitimate interests, journalistic activity, public-interest reporting, security, and legal compliance. Data processed for journalistic purposes may be exempt under GDPR Article 85 and related free-expression provisions.

9. CCPA Compliance (California Residents)

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents may have rights to know, access, and request deletion of personal information, subject to statutory exemptions.

Great Lakes Chronicle does not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA. Information collected or retained for journalistic, public-interest, legal, or free-speech purposes may be exempt from certain CCPA obligations.

10. Journalism, Free Speech, and Source Protection

Great Lakes Chronicle operates as a journalistic publication engaged in news gathering and reporting.

a. Journalistic Exemptions

Information collected, processed, or retained for journalistic purposes may be exempt from privacy and data protection requirements under applicable laws to protect freedom of expression, editorial independence, and the public’s right to know.

b. Confidential Sources and Shield Protections

We take reasonable measures to protect confidential sources and unpublished materials. Where applicable, Great Lakes Chronicle asserts protections afforded under:

  • Journalist shield laws

  • Constitutional free-press protections

  • Applicable statutory and case law governing newsgathering activities

Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in all circumstances, including compliance with valid court orders or legal processes.

c. Secure Communications Disclaimer

Standard web forms, comment sections, and email communications may not be fully secure. Individuals submitting sensitive or confidential information should consider using secure communication methods. Use of the Website constitutes acknowledgment of these limitations.

11. Where Your Data Is Sent

Visitor comments may be processed through automated spam detection services. Data may be stored or processed in jurisdictions outside a visitor’s country of residence, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ.

12. International Users

This Website is accessible globally. By using the Website, users acknowledge that information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in jurisdictions outside their own.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Final Notice

Nothing in this Privacy Policy is intended to limit or waive rights protected under applicable freedom-of-expression, press, or constitutional laws.

Effective 12-25-2025