Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 24, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Kingsport Scoop ("Kingsport Scoop," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and discloses information when you visit our website, read our content, subscribe to our newsletter, or otherwise interact with us (collectively, the "Services").

By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our Services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information in order to provide and improve our Services. The information we collect generally falls into the following categories:

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

  • Contact information such as your name and email address when you subscribe to our newsletter or contact us.
  • Any information you include when you send us messages, submit tips, comment on content (if comments are enabled), or fill out forms on our website.
  • Preferences you share with us, such as your interest in certain types of local news or updates.

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you access or use our Services, we and our service providers may automatically collect certain information about your device and how you interact with our content. This may include:

  • Log and usage data, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, links clicked, and the dates and times of your visits.
  • Device information, such as device type, unique device identifiers, and approximate location information (e.g., city or region) derived from your IP address.
  • Interaction data relating to our newsletter emails (if you subscribe), such as whether you open an email or click on links.

1.3 Information from Cookies and Similar Technologies

We and our service providers may use cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your use of the Services, personalize your experience, and understand how our audience engages with local news and other content. For more information, see the "Cookies and Tracking Technologies" section below.

2. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. We use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Help the website function properly and securely.
  • Remember your preferences and settings.
  • Understand how visitors use our site, including which stories are most popular.
  • Improve and personalize our Services.
  • Measure the effectiveness of our communications and, where applicable, advertising.

We may use both session cookies (which expire after you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which stay on your device until you delete them or they expire).

You can usually instruct your browser to refuse cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, some features of our Services may not function properly without cookies. To learn more about cookies, including how to manage and delete them, visit your browser's help pages.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for a variety of purposes related to operating, improving, and communicating about Kingsport Scoop, including to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve our website, newsletter, and other Services.
  • Deliver local news, alerts, and other content that may be of interest to you.
  • Send you newsletters and other communications you have requested or that may be of interest, in accordance with applicable law.
  • Respond to your comments, questions, tips, and requests, and provide customer support.
  • Monitor and analyze usage and trends to better understand how people use our Services and which stories resonate with the community.
  • Protect the security and integrity of our Services, prevent fraud and abuse, and enforce our terms and policies.
  • Comply with legal obligations and exercise or defend legal claims.
  • Any other purpose described to you at the time of collection or with your consent.

4. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information we collect in the following circumstances or as otherwise described in this Privacy Policy:

  • Service providers: We may share information with trusted third-party vendors and service providers that perform services on our behalf, such as website hosting, data storage, analytics, email delivery, customer support, and security.
  • Analytics and measurement partners: We may share information with analytics providers (such as Google Analytics) to help us understand how our Services are used and to improve them.
  • Legal and safety: We may disclose information if we believe it is reasonably necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request; to protect the rights, property, or safety of Kingsport Scoop, our users, or others; or to detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues.
  • Business transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to the promises made in this Privacy Policy.
  • With your consent or at your direction: We may share information when you direct us to do so or when you otherwise consent to such sharing.

5. Your Choices and Rights

We aim to provide you with choices regarding the personal information you provide to us. Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have some or all of the following rights:

  • The right to access the personal information we hold about you.
  • The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • The right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
  • The right to object to or restrict certain processing of your personal information.
  • The right to withdraw consent where we rely on your consent for processing.
  • The right to receive a copy of your information in a portable format, where technically feasible and required by law.

To exercise any of these rights (where available), or if you have questions about your information, please contact us at [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests.

If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter or other marketing emails, you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in those emails or by contacting us. Please note that we may still send you non-promotional communications, such as updates related to your relationship with us or important notices about our Services.

6. "Do Not Track" Signals

Some web browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. There is currently no industry-wide agreement on how to respond to DNT signals, and we do not respond to DNT signals at this time. We will continue to monitor developments around DNT browser technology and standards.

7. Data Security and Retention

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information we collect and store. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law (for example, for tax, accounting, or legal purposes). When we no longer need your personal information, we will delete or anonymize it, or, if that is not possible, we will securely store it and isolate it from any further use until deletion is possible.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us using the information in the "Contact Us" section below. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete such information as required by applicable law.

9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a resident of California, you may have additional privacy rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other applicable laws. This section describes those rights in a general way as they may apply to a local news publisher like Kingsport Scoop. We do not sell your personal information, as that term is defined under the CCPA.

9.1 Categories of Information We May Collect

In the past 12 months, we may have collected the following categories of personal information (as those terms are defined under California law):

  • Identifiers (such as name and email address).
  • Internet or other electronic network activity information (such as browsing history, interactions with our website, and newsletter engagement).
  • Approximate geolocation data (such as city or region) derived from your IP address.
  • Inferences drawn from the above information to create a profile reflecting your preferences (for example, interest in certain types of local news).

9.2 Your CCPA Rights

Subject to certain limitations, California residents may have the right to:

  • Request to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
  • Request deletion of your personal information that we have collected from you.
  • Request information about our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information.
  • Not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising any of your CCPA rights.

To exercise your CCPA rights, you can contact us at [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request, which may require you to provide certain information. You may also designate an authorized agent to submit requests on your behalf, subject to verification of the agent and your authorization.

10. International Visitors

Kingsport Scoop is based in the United States and our Services are primarily intended for users located in the United States. If you access our Services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers are located. The data protection laws of these countries may differ from those of your country of residence. By using our Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries as described in this Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, our Services, or applicable laws. When we make changes, we will post the updated policy on this page and update the "Last updated" date at the top. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your information.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, or if you would like to exercise your rights, you may contact us at:

Kingsport Scoop
Email: [email protected]