Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 30, 2026

The Carolina Wire ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit thecarolinawire.com, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the site, you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information we collect

We collect limited information in two ways:

Information you provide. When you contact us by email or through our contact form, we receive the information you choose to send, such as your name, email address, subject line, and message content. If you submit a news tip or correction, we may also receive documents, images, or other materials you attach.

Information collected automatically. When you visit the site, our hosting and analytics providers may collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type, device type, referring URL, pages viewed, and approximate location derived from IP address. This data is typically collected through server logs and privacy-focused analytics tools.

2. How we use information

We use the information we collect to:

Respond to inquiries, corrections, press requests, and other messages you send us
Evaluate and pursue news tips and editorial leads
Operate, secure, and maintain the website
Understand general traffic patterns and improve the reader experience
Comply with legal obligations and enforce our policies

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your contact details for unrelated marketing unless you explicitly opt in.

3. How we share information

We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

Service providers. We use third-party vendors to host the site, deliver fonts, process contact form submissions, and measure site performance. These providers process data on our behalf and only as needed to perform their services.
Legal requirements. We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, safety, or the rights and safety of others.
Business transfers. If The Carolina Wire is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this policy.

4. Cookies and similar technologies

The site may use cookies, local storage, or similar technologies placed by our hosting or analytics providers. These technologies help us measure traffic, prevent abuse, and keep the site functioning properly.

Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through their settings. Blocking cookies may affect how certain parts of the site work.

5. Third-party services

We rely on the following categories of third-party services, each governed by its own privacy policy:

Cloudflare — website hosting, content delivery, security, and web analytics
Google Fonts — typography delivery; your browser may send your IP address to Google when fonts are loaded
Formspree (or a comparable form processor) — contact form submission handling when enabled

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these providers for details on their data practices.

6. Data retention

We retain contact messages and editorial submissions for as long as needed to respond, follow up on reporting, and maintain our records. Server logs and analytics data are retained for a limited period consistent with our providers' settings and operational needs, then deleted or aggregated.

7. Security

We use reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect information we hold, including HTTPS encryption in transit. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of personal information we hold about you. To make a request, contact us at news@thecarolinawire.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and as required by applicable law.

Residents of California may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and the right to request deletion. We do not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA.

9. Children's privacy

The Carolina Wire is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

10. International visitors

The site is operated from the United States. If you access the site from outside the U.S., your information may be processed in the U.S. or other countries where our service providers operate, which may have different data protection laws than your home country.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Material changes may also be noted on the site. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact us

Questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy may be sent to news@thecarolinawire.com or through our contact page.