Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 26, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how wwwThisUnitedStates.com (the “Website,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) may collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect information when you visit, browse, communicate with, or otherwise interact with the Website. This Policy also explains certain choices and rights that may be available to you. By using the Website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the Website and through communications initiated through the Website, including contact forms, newsletter forms, comment features, surveys, submissions, and similar online interactions, if offered.

This Privacy Policy does not govern third-party websites, applications, social media platforms, payment processors, embedded media providers, analytics providers, advertising networks, or other services that we do not control. Those services are governed by their own policies.

The Website may evolve. Some portions of this Policy describe categories of technology or information that may be used now or in the future so that the Policy remains useful as Website features change.

2. Categories of Information We May Collect

We may collect information that you provide directly, information collected automatically when you use the Website, and information received from service providers or publicly available sources. Information you provide may include your name, email address, telephone number, mailing address,
organization, professional title, account or profile information, communication preferences, messages, attachments, survey responses, comments, feedback, article or story submissions, and any other information you choose to provide.

If the Website later offers purchases, donations, subscriptions, event registrations, or paid services, payment information may be processed by a third-party payment provider. Unless expressly stated, the Website does not intend to store full payment-card numbers.

Information contained in submissions may become public if you submit it for publication, commenting, community participation, testimonials, letters, photographs, videos, or other public-facing uses. You should not submit information you do not want publicly disclosed.

3. Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Website, servers and service providers may automatically collect information such as your Internet Protocol address, browser type, operating system, device type, device identifiers, language settings, referring and exit pages, pages viewed, links clicked, dates and times of access, approximate geographic location derived from IP address, and diagnostic or performance data. We may also collect information about how visitors navigate the Website, which content is viewed, how long visitors remain on pages, whether forms are completed, and whether emails or links are opened, where permitted.

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Automatic information may be associated with a browser, device, cookie, pseudonymous identifier, or, when technically possible and legally permitted, information you have provided directly.

4. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Website and its service providers may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, log files, scripts, software development kits, and similar technologies. Cookies are small files placed on a device or browser that support functions such as security, preferences, traffic measurement, analytics, content
delivery, and advertising.

Cookies may be session cookies that expire when a browser closes or persistent cookies that remain for a defined period. Cookies may be placed by the Website or by third parties whose tools or content are integrated into the Website.

Categories of cookies may include strictly necessary cookies, functional cookies, analytics cookies, performance cookies, security cookies, advertising cookies, and social-media cookies. The precise cookies used may change as Website vendors and features change.

You may be able to manage cookies through browser settings, device settings, a cookie preference tool, or third-party opt-out mechanisms. Blocking cookies may affect Website functionality. Browser “Do Not Track” signals are not interpreted consistently across the industry; unless stated otherwise, the Website may not respond to every such signal.

5. Analytics, Advertising, and Embedded Content

The Website may use analytics services to understand visitor traffic, content popularity, referrals, device characteristics, and Website performance. Analytics providers may use cookies or similar technologies and may process information under their own privacy policies.

The Website may display advertising, sponsorships, affiliate links, or promoted content. Advertising providers may collect information about visits to this and other websites to measure advertising and, where permitted, personalize ads. Any material financial relationship associated with sponsored or
affiliate content should be disclosed where applicable.

The Website may embed videos, maps, social-media posts, podcasts, forms, fonts, or other third-party content. Loading or interacting with embedded content may allow the third party to receive technical and usage information, even when you do not have an account with that third party.

6. How We May Use Information

We may use information to operate, maintain, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the Website; respond to inquiries and requests; communicate about Website content, updates, newsletters, or services; administer surveys, events, contests, or promotions; review and moderate submissions; prevent fraud, spam, abuse, and security incidents; analyze Website usage; personalize content where permitted; comply with legal obligations; enforce Website terms; protect rights and safety; and support business continuity.

We may combine information from different sources for these purposes, subject to applicable law. We may also create aggregated or de-identified information that does not reasonably identify an individual
and use or disclose that information for lawful purposes.

7. Legal Bases for Processing

Where a legal basis is required, we may process personal information based on consent, performance of a requested service, compliance with legal obligations, protection of vital interests, or legitimate interests such as operating and securing the Website, communicating with visitors, improving content, preventing abuse, and protecting legal rights. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw consent as permitted by law. Withdrawal does not affect processing already completed and may limit access to optional features.

8. When Information May Be Disclosed

We may disclose information to hosting providers, content-delivery networks, analytics providers, security vendors, email and communications providers, form providers, cloud-storage providers, consultants, contractors, and other service providers that support Website operations. We may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, court order, legal process, or governmental request; when reasonably necessary to investigate or prevent fraud, abuse, security threats, or violations of Website terms; or when needed to protect the rights, property, safety, or interests of the Website, users, or others. Information may be transferred as part of a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, sale of assets, or other business transaction involving the Website. We may also disclose information with your direction or consent. We do not intend to sell personal information for money. Certain state laws define “sale,” “sharing,” or targeted advertising broadly, and some analytics or advertising activities may fall within those definitions. Rights relating to those activities are described below.

9. Public Information and User-Submitted Content

Content you submit for publication or public display may be visible to anyone and may be copied, indexed, archived, quoted, republished, or shared by others. Once made public, removal from every third-party copy, search engine, archive, or cache may not be possible. You are responsible for considering privacy, confidentiality, copyright, publicity, and safety before submitting names, photographs, recordings, personal stories, location details, or information about other people. Do not submit sensitive personal information through public forms or comment areas.

10. Sensitive Personal Information

The Website does not intentionally request highly sensitive information through ordinary contact forms, including Social Security numbers, government identification numbers, full financial-account credentials, passwords, precise health records, genetic information, biometric templates, or information revealing children’s identities. Please do not submit confidential, privileged, security-sensitive, or highly sensitive information unless the Website expressly provides a secure method and explains why the information is needed. If such information is submitted without request, we may delete it, restrict access to it, or retain it only as legally necessary.

11. Data Retention

We may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, including responding to inquiries, maintaining editorial and business records, preserving evidence of permissions and submissions, preventing abuse, resolving disputes, enforcing agreements, and complying with legal obligations. Retention periods depend on the type of information, the context in which it was collected, legal requirements, security needs, and operational considerations. Backup, archive, and log copies may remain for a limited period after active deletion.

12. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect
information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, and disclosure. Measures may include
access controls, secure hosting, encryption in transit where supported, software updates, backups,
logging, and vendor management.
No website, network, transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. You use
the Website and transmit information at your own risk. Email and ordinary web forms may not be suitable
for confidential or time-sensitive information.

13. Your Privacy Choices

You may choose not to provide optional information, unsubscribe from promotional emails using the instructions in those emails, adjust browser or device settings, manage available cookie preferences, and request access, correction, or deletion where applicable. Operational, transactional, legal, and security communications may continue even after you opt out of promotional messages. We may need to verify your identity before responding to a privacy request.

14. U.S. State Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live and subject to legal exceptions, you may have rights to know or access categories or specific pieces of personal information, correct inaccurate information, delete information, obtain a portable copy, opt out of certain sales, sharing, targeted advertising, or profiling, limit certain uses of sensitive information, and appeal a denied request. You may exercise applicable rights through the contact method provided on the Website. A request should identify the right you wish to exercise and provide enough information to verify identity and locate relevant records. We may deny or limit requests where permitted by law, including when identity cannot be verified or an exception applies. Authorized agents may submit requests where permitted, but we may require proof of authorization and direct identity verification. The Website will not unlawfully discriminate against you for exercising applicable privacy rights.

15. California Privacy Notice

For California residents, personal information categories collected may include identifiers, Internet or network activity, approximate geolocation, professional or employment-related information, inferences, and information contained in communications or submissions. Sources and purposes are described throughout this Policy. Categories may be disclosed to service providers, contractors, analytics providers, advertising providers, security vendors, and legal or transactional recipients. The Website does not knowingly sell or share the personal information of consumers under 16 without legally required authorization. THISUNITEDSTATES.COM | LEGAL POLICIES wwwThisUnitedStates.com • Effective July 26, 2026 • 7 California residents may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended, subject to thresholds, exceptions, and applicability. Requests may be made through the Website contact method. California’s “Shine the Light” law may also provide certain rights regarding disclosure of personal information for direct marketing where applicable.

16. Children’s Privacy

The Website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without legally required consent. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us through the Website so the information can be reviewed and, where appropriate, deleted. Parents and guardians should supervise children’s Internet use and should not permit children to submit personal information without appropriate consent.

17. International Visitors and Cross-Border Processing

The Website is operated in or directed from the United States. Information may be processed, stored, or accessed in the United States or other jurisdictions where service providers operate. Those jurisdictions may have data-protection laws different from those in your location. Where legally required, appropriate safeguards may be used for cross-border transfers. International visitors should not use the Website if processing in the United States is inconsistent with their legal rights or expectations.

18. Third-Party Websites and Services

The Website may link to or integrate third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for their privacy, security, accuracy, availability, or practices. Review third-party policies before providing information or interacting with those services. A link, embed, reference, or integration does not necessarily mean that the Website endorses, controls, sponsors, or is affiliated with the third party.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

20. Contact and Privacy Requests

Questions, concerns, or privacy requests may be submitted through the contact information or contact form provided on wwwThisUnitedStates.com. Please do not include unnecessary sensitive information in an initial request. We may request additional information to verify identity, clarify the request, protect against fraud, and comply with legal obligations. We will respond within the period required by applicable law when a legally enforceable deadline applies.