Effective Date: January 1, 2025
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRIVACY
At Wellington Advertiser, we are committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us as your community news source. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation.
As a community newspaper, we understand the importance of privacy in fostering open dialogue and protecting our readers, sources, and community members.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
Personal Information You Provide
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:
· Create an account or subscribe to our services
· Submit news tips, letters to the editor, or community announcements
· Purchase classified advertisements or business advertising
· Sign up for our newsletters or email alerts
· Participate in surveys, contests, or community events
· Contact us with questions or feedback
· Apply for employment opportunities
This information may include:
· Name and contact information (email, phone, mailing address)
· Demographic information (age range, interests, location preferences)
· Payment information (processed securely through third-party providers)
· Professional information (for business contacts and sources)
· User-generated content (comments, photos, event submissions)
Information Automatically Collected
When you visit our website or use our digital services, we automatically collect:
· Technical information (IP address, browser type, device information)
· Usage data (pages visited, time spent, click patterns)
· Location data (general geographic area for local content delivery)
· Referral information (how you found our website)
Information from Third Parties
We may receive information from:
· Social media platforms (if you interact with our social media accounts)
· Event partners and community organizations
· Public records and government sources (for news reporting)
· Analytics and advertising partners (aggregated, non-personal data)
HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
Primary Uses
We use your personal information to:
· Deliver news content and community information relevant to your interests
· Process subscriptions, advertising purchases, and classified ads
· Send newsletters, breaking news alerts, and community announcements
· Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
· Improve our website functionality and user experience
· Conduct reader surveys and gather community feedback
Journalism and Editorial Purposes
As a news organization, we may use information to:
· Verify the accuracy of news stories and sources
· Contact community members for interviews or comments
· Investigate matters of public interest
· Maintain editorial independence and credibility
Marketing and Communications
With your consent, we may use your information to:
· Send promotional materials about our services
· Notify you about local events and community initiatives
· Provide targeted advertising relevant to your interests
· Conduct market research to better serve our community
LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING
(PIPEDA COMPLIANCE)
We process your personal information based on:
· Consent: When you voluntarily provide information or opt-in to services
· Legitimate Interests: For journalism, website operation, and business purposes
· Legal Obligations: To comply with laws, court orders, or regulatory requirements
· Contractual Necessity: To fulfill subscription or advertising agreements
INFORMATION SHARING
AND DISCLOSURE
We Do Not Sell Your Personal Information
Wellington Advertiser does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
Limited Sharing
We may share your information only in these circumstances:
Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist with:
· Website hosting and technical support
· Email delivery and newsletter services
· Payment processing and subscription management
· Analytics and website optimization
· Printing and distribution services
Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to:
· Comply with legal processes or government requests
· Protect our rights, property, or safety
· Investigate potential violations of our terms of use
· Respond to claims of defamation or privacy violations
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with appropriate privacy protections maintained.
Source Protection: We maintain strict confidentiality for journalistic sources as permitted by law and professional ethics.
COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
What We Use
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
· Remember your preferences and login status
· Analyze website traffic and user behavior
· Deliver relevant advertising and content
· Improve website performance and security
Types of Cookies
· Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality
· Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices
· Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our website
· Advertising Cookies: Deliver relevant ads and measure effectiveness
Third-Party Cookies
We use trusted third-party services including:
· Google Analytics: For website traffic analysis
· Social Media Platforms: For content sharing and engagement
· Payment Processors: For secure transaction processing
Your Cookie Choices
You can control cookies through:
· Browser settings (accept, reject, or receive notifications)
· Opt-out tools provided by advertising networks
· Our cookie preference center (when available)
· Google Ad Settings and Analytics opt-out tools
Note: Disabling cookies may limit some website functionality.
DATA SECURITY AND PROTECTION
Security Measures
We implement comprehensive security measures including:
· SSL encryption for data transmission
· Secure servers with restricted access
· Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
· Staff training on privacy and security practices
· Incident response procedures for potential breaches
Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for:
· Providing our services and maintaining your account
· Meeting legal and regulatory requirements
· Resolving disputes and enforcing agreements
· Journalism archives and historical records (with appropriate safeguards)
International Transfers
Some of our service providers may be located outside Canada. When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy rights.
YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
Under Canadian privacy law, you have the right to:
Access and Portability
· Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
· Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
Correction and Updates
· Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information
· Update your contact preferences and account settings
Deletion and Withdrawal
· Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal and journalistic exceptions)
· Withdraw consent for marketing communications
· Close your account and associated data
Objection and Restriction
· Object to certain uses of your personal information
· Request restriction of processing in specific circumstances
Complaint Rights
· File complaints with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
· Contact us directly with privacy concerns
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
FOR JOURNALISM
Editorial Independence
Our editorial decisions are made independently of commercial interests. Personal information used for advertising purposes does not influence news coverage or editorial content.
Source Protection
We maintain strict confidentiality for journalistic sources and whistleblowers. We will resist disclosure of source information except when legally compelled and after exhausting all available legal remedies.
Public Interest
We may publish personal information that is already public or when there is a compelling public interest, balanced against individual privacy rights.
Corrections and Retractions
If we publish incorrect personal information, we will promptly correct the error and, when appropriate, publish corrections or retractions.
CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it promptly. Parents or guardians may contact us to review, modify, or delete their child's information.
EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS
AND UNSUBSCRIBING
Newsletter and Alerts
We send email communications including:
· Daily or weekly newsletters
· Breaking news alerts
· Event notifications
· Subscription and account updates
Unsubscribe Options
You can unsubscribe from marketing emails by:
· Clicking the unsubscribe link in any email
· Updating your account preferences
· Contacting us directly
· Emailing classified@wellingtonadvertiser.com
We will process unsubscribe requests within 10 business days. Note that you may still receive transactional emails related to your account or services.
THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES AND SERVICES
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, and services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of:
· Advertisers and their websites
· Social media platforms
· External news sources and links
· Community event organizers
· Business directory listings
PRIVACY POLICY UPDATES
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:
· Changes in privacy laws or regulations
· New features or services we offer
· Feedback from our community
· Industry best practices
Notification of Changes
We will notify you of material changes by:
· Posting prominent notices on our website
· Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
CONTACT US
Privacy Officer
For privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests:
Email: classified@wellingtonadvertiser.com
Phone: (519) 843-5410
Mail:
Wellington Advertiser
Privacy Officer
905 Gartshore St
Box 252 Fergus, Ontario N1M 2W8
Canada
Response Times
We will respond to privacy inquiries within:
· 30 days for general questions
· 30 days for access requests
· 10 business days for unsubscribe requests
· 48 hours for urgent security concerns
Other Contacts
Editorial matters: editor@wellingtonadvertiser.com
Technical support: classified@wellingtonadvertiser.com
General inquiries: news@wellingtonadvertiser.com
REGULATORY INFORMATION
Privacy Commissioner of Canada
If you have concerns about our privacy practices that we cannot resolve, you may file a complaint with:
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 1H3
Phone: 1-800-282-1376
Website: www.priv.gc.ca
Provincial Privacy Commissioners
Depending on your location, you may also contact your provincial privacy commissioner for assistance with privacy matters.
Version: 2025.02
This Privacy Policy demonstrates our commitment to transparency, accountability, and respect for your privacy rights. We believe that protecting your privacy is essential to maintaining the trust that allows us to serve our community effectively.
For the most current version of this Privacy Policy, please visit our website at wellingtonadvertiser.com/privacy