Introduction

Orlando Signal ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy of our newsletter subscribers and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at [insert website URL] or subscribe to our email newsletter through Beehiiv.

By accessing our website or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

Newsletter Subscription Information:

• Email address (required)
• First and last name (optional)
• Phone number (optional)
• ZIP code or city (optional)
• Any preferences or interests you choose to share

SMS/Text Message Service Information:

When you sign up for our text messaging service, we collect:

• Mobile phone number (required for SMS delivery)
• First name to personalize your text experience
• Email address (if you choose to provide it)
• Your text message replies and commands (like STOP, START, or HELP)
• Delivery confirmations and read receipts
• Timestamps of all message interactions
• Your messaging preferences and frequency settings

Website Contact Forms:

• Name
• Email address
• Message content
• Any other information you choose to provide

Payment Information:

• When making purchases or donations, payment details are processed directly by Stripe
• We do not store credit card numbers or banking information on our servers
• We may retain transaction records for accounting purposes

Comments:

• Information you provide when commenting on articles (handled by Disqus)

Information Automatically Collected

Website Analytics:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring website
• Geographic location (city/state level)

Email Analytics:

• Email open rates
• Click-through rates
• Device and email client used
• General geographic location

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Send you our Orlando Signal newsletter
• Deliver timely text message alerts about local events and updates
• Respond to your inquiries and communications
• Personalize your experience with customized content
• Honor your communication preferences and manage opt-out requests
• Improve our content and tailor it to subscriber interests
• Track delivery success and engagement across all communication channels
• Analyze website, newsletter, and SMS performance
• Maintain compliance with messaging regulations and industry standards
• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect against fraudulent or illegal activity

Third-Party Services

Beehiiv

We use Beehiiv as our email service provider. When you subscribe to our newsletter, your information is stored on Beehiiv's servers. Beehiiv's privacy policy can be found at https://www.beehiiv.com/privacy.

WordPress

Our website is built on WordPress. WordPress's privacy policy can be found at https://wordpress.org/about/privacy/

Analytics Tools

We use the following analytics services to understand how visitors interact with our website:

Google Analytics

• Collects anonymous usage data to help us understand website traffic and user behavior
• Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Microsoft Clarity

• Records user sessions to help us improve website usability and user experience
• Collects information about mouse movements, clicks, and scrolling behavior
• Privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement

These services may use cookies and collect information such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on pages.

Social Media and Advertising

Meta (Facebook) Pixel

• Tracks visitor actions for advertising optimization and audience building
• Enables retargeting of website visitors on Facebook and Instagram
• Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy

Payment Processing

Stripe

• Processes payments securely when you purchase subscriptions or make donations
• Collects payment information (credit card details are stored directly with Stripe, not on our servers)
• Privacy policy: https://stripe.com/privacy

Comments and Community Features

Disqus

• Powers our comment system on blog posts
• Collects commenter information including name, email, and IP address
• May serve third-party advertisements within comments
• Privacy policy: https://disqus.com/privacy-policy/

Security and Anti-Spam Services

Cloudflare

• Provides security, performance optimization, and DDoS protection
• May challenge visitors with CAPTCHAs to prevent automated abuse
• Collects IP addresses and browser information for security purposes
• Privacy policy: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/

SMS/Text Messaging Service

We partner with Klaviyo to deliver text message updates. When you opt into our SMS service:

• Your phone number and associated data are stored securely with our messaging provider
• Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile plan
• You can text STOP at any time to unsubscribe from messages
• Text HELP for assistance with the service
• We typically send 1 message per week about Orlando events and updates
• Privacy policy: https://www.klaviyo.com/legal/privacy/privacy-notice

Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• With service providers who assist in our operations (e.g., Beehiiv for email delivery)
• If required by law or in response to valid legal process
• To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• With your explicit consent

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

• Newsletter subscriber information is retained until you unsubscribe
• SMS subscriber data is maintained as long as you remain opted into our text service
• Website analytics data is typically retained for 26 months
• Contact form submissions are retained for up to 2 years
• Text message history and engagement data is kept for 12 months for compliance purposes

Your Rights and Choices

Email Preferences

You can:

• Unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email
• Update your subscription preferences through the preference center link in our emails
• Contact us to request changes to your subscription

SMS/Text Message Preferences

You can:

• Text STOP to any message to immediately unsubscribe from our SMS service
• Text START to resubscribe if you've previously opted out
• Text HELP to receive information about the service
• Contact us to update your phone number or messaging preferences
• Choose your preferred message frequency when signing up

Access and Correction

You have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your personal information

To exercise these rights, please contact us at hello @ orlandosignal.com.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. These may include:

• Essential cookies for website functionality
• Analytics cookies to understand usage patterns
• Preference cookies to remember your settings
• Advertising cookies from Meta (Facebook) for targeted advertising
• Security cookies from Cloudflare for bot detection
• Third-party cookies from Disqus for the comment system

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Children's Privacy

Orlando Signal is not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Links to Other Websites

Our website and newsletter may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any website you visit.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending an email notification to subscribers for significant changes

Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

Orlando Signal

Email: hello @ orlandosignal.com

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These include the right to:

• Know what personal information is collected
• Know whether personal information is sold or disclosed
• Say no to the sale of personal information
• Access your personal information
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Equal service and price, even if you exercise your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information above.

International Users

Orlando Signal is based in the United States. If you are accessing our website or subscribing from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers and service providers are located.

This privacy policy was last reviewed and updated on 7/14/2025