Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

The Modern Read is an editorial news and analysis publication covering technology, SaaS, AI tools, ecommerce, and related digital topics. We serve readers worldwide. For privacy-related requests, contact us at privacy@themodernread.com.

2. Information we collect

We collect information in the following categories:

2.1 Information you provide

• Account data: name, email address, password (stored hashed by our authentication provider), and optional profile details when you register or sign in.
• Comments and community content: text you post, associated account identifiers, and timestamps.
• Guest story submissions: name, email, title, and story content you submit for editorial review.
• Newsletter subscriptions: email address and subscription status.
• Bookmarks: articles you save to your account.
• Communications: messages you send us by email or through forms on the site.

2.2 Information collected automatically

• Usage and analytics: pages viewed, referring URLs, approximate timing of visits, and optional UTM campaign parameters. We use first-party analytics; we do not sell this data.
• Technical data: browser type, device category, operating system, and similar diagnostic information that may be processed by our hosting and infrastructure providers.
• Cookies and similar technologies: session and authentication cookies necessary to keep you signed in and to operate security features. See Section 6.

2.3 Information we do not intentionally collect

We do not knowingly collect special-category data (such as health, biometric, or precise geolocation data) or information from children under 16. If you believe a minor has provided personal data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

3. How we use information

We use personal information to:

• Provide, operate, secure, and improve the Service
• Create and manage accounts, comments, bookmarks, and submissions
• Moderate content, prevent spam, fraud, and abuse
• Send transactional messages (e.g., account or security notices)
• Send newsletters or editorial updates where you have opted in; you may unsubscribe at any time
• Analyze aggregate readership and content performance
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms
• Respond to support and privacy requests

We process data based on one or more of: performance of a contract, legitimate interests (such as securing and improving the Service), consent (where required, e.g., marketing email), and legal obligation.

4. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information only as follows:

• Service providers: trusted vendors who help us host, authenticate, store, email, or analyze the Service (for example, cloud hosting and database providers). They may process data only on our instructions and under appropriate confidentiality and security terms.
• Public content: comments, published guest stories, and profile information you choose to make public will be visible to other users and may be indexed by search engines.
• Legal and safety: when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of The Modern Read, our users, or the public.
• Business transfers: if we undergo a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, personal data may transfer as part of that transaction, subject to ongoing privacy commitments.

5. International transfers and retention

Our infrastructure providers may process data in countries other than your own. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards offered by those providers.

We retain personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Account data is kept while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward. Analytics and logs may be retained in aggregated or de-identified form for longer.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies that are:

• Essential: authentication and session cookies so you can sign in and use protected features securely
• Preference / functional: such as theme or display preferences where applicable
• Analytics: first-party page-view measurement to understand content performance

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Blocking essential cookies may prevent sign-in and other core features from working.

7. Security

We implement technical and organizational measures designed to protect personal information, including encrypted transport (HTTPS), access controls for administrative areas, hashed credentials via our auth provider, and input filtering for user-generated content. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; you use the Service at your own risk and should use a strong, unique password.

8. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under applicable privacy laws worldwide (including, where relevant, GDPR in the EU/EEA, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA in California, and similar laws elsewhere). Those rights may include the ability to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate personal data
• Request deletion of your personal data
• Object to or restrict certain processing
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Export a copy of your data in a portable format
• Unsubscribe from marketing emails

To exercise these rights, email privacy@themodernread.com. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling a request. We will respond within a reasonable period required by applicable law.

9. Third-party links and promotions

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, products, or promotions. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. Review their policies before providing personal information.

10. Children's privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top will change when we do. Material changes may be highlighted on the site or communicated by email where appropriate. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact

Privacy questions or requests: privacy@themodernread.com
General contact: hello@themodernread.com
Website: https://themodernread.com