Privacy Policy

Effective: April 4, 2026 — The Westwood Times is committed to protecting the privacy of our readers and users.

This Privacy Policy describes how The Westwood Times ("TWT," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you visit our website, subscribe to our newsletters, or otherwise interact with our services. By using our site, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

• Information you provide directly: When you sign up for newsletters, submit a tip, create an account, or contact us, you may provide your name, email address, and other identifying details.
• Usage data: We automatically collect certain technical information when you visit our site, including your IP address, browser type and version, pages visited, time spent on pages, referring URLs, and device type.
• Cookies and similar technologies: We use cookies, pixel tags, and similar tracking technologies to improve site functionality, remember your preferences, and analyze how our content is used. See our Cookie Policy for full details.
• Newsletter and subscription data: If you subscribe to The Westwood Times newsletter, we collect your email address and track engagement metrics such as open rates and link clicks to improve our communications.

How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Deliver and improve our news content and services
• Personalize your reading experience based on your interests and preferences
• Send newsletters and editorial communications you have opted into
• Analyze site traffic and audience demographics to inform editorial and business decisions
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity
• Comply with legal obligations
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests

Analytics

We use third-party analytics services to understand how readers engage with our content. These services may collect information about your visits across multiple websites. The data collected is used in aggregate form to understand readership trends, optimize page layouts, and improve content delivery. We configure our analytics tools to anonymize IP addresses where technically feasible.

Sharing of Information

We may share your information with:

• Service providers: We work with trusted vendors who assist in operating our website, delivering newsletters, processing payments, and analyzing data. These providers are contractually obligated to handle your data only as directed by us and in accordance with this policy.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information when required to do so by law, court order, or government authority, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of The Westwood Times, our readers, or the public.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and the choices available to you.

Advertising

The Westwood Times displays advertising to support our independent journalism. We may work with advertising partners who use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads relevant to your interests. These partners may collect data about your activity on our site and other sites to deliver targeted advertising. You can opt out of interest-based advertising through your browser settings or by visiting industry opt-out tools such as the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page.

Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Newsletter subscriber data is retained until you unsubscribe. Analytics data is retained in aggregate form for up to 26 months.

Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Object to or restrict certain types of processing
• Request a portable copy of your data
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at thewestwoodtimes@gmail.com. We will respond to all verifiable requests within 30 days. California residents may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Newsletter Opt-Out

You may unsubscribe from our newsletters at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any newsletter email or by contacting us at thewestwoodtimes@gmail.com. Unsubscribing from marketing communications does not affect our ability to send transactional or service-related messages.

Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for a general adult audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at thewestwoodtimes@gmail.com.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will post the updated policy on this page with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Privacy Team at:

• Email: thewestwoodtimes@gmail.com
• Mail: The Westwood Times, Privacy Team, Los Angeles, CA 90024

This Privacy Policy is effective as of April 4, 2026.