Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

CountryStateCity.org is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect minimal information to provide and improve our service:

Local Storage (stored only on your device):

• Search queries and recent searches
• Favorite locations you save
• Theme preferences (light/dark mode)

Analytics Data (via Google Analytics):

• Page views and navigation patterns
• Approximate geographic location (country/city level)
• Device type, browser, and operating system
• Referral sources

2. How We Use Your Information

We use analytics data solely to understand how visitors use our website and to improve the user experience. We do not:

• Sell your personal information to third parties
• Use your data for targeted advertising
• Create individual user profiles
• Share personally identifiable information

3. Cookies and Local Storage

We use only essential storage mechanisms:

• Local Storage: Your preferences, search history, and favorites are stored locally in your browser. This data never leaves your device and can be cleared at any time through your browser settings.
• Google Analytics Cookies: We use Google Analytics to collect anonymous usage statistics. You can opt out using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by enabling Do Not Track in your browser.

We do not use advertising cookies, tracking pixels, or third-party marketing tools.

4. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand website usage patterns. Google Analytics collects:

• Anonymous usage data and statistics
• Technical information about your device and browser
• Approximate location based on IP address (anonymized)

For more information about how Google uses data, visit Google Privacy Policy. To opt out, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5. Data Security

Our website is served over HTTPS to ensure secure data transmission. Since we store user preferences locally on your device and only collect anonymous analytics, there is minimal personal data at risk. We do not store personal information on our servers.

6. Your Rights

You have full control over your data:

• Clear Local Data: Clear your browser local storage to remove all saved preferences, favorites, and search history
• Opt-out of Analytics: Use the Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on or enable Do Not Track in your browser
• Request Information: Contact us to inquire about any data we may have collected

7. Cookie Consent & Management

We use Google Consent Mode v2 to ensure compliance with GDPR and CCPA regulations. When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner where you can:

• Accept All: Consent to all cookies including analytics
• Reject Non-Essential: Only use essential cookies required for website functionality
• Customize: Choose which cookie categories you want to enable

Cookie Categories

• Essential Cookies (Always Active): Required for core website functionality including search history, favorites, and user preferences. These cannot be disabled as the website would not function properly without them.
• Analytics Cookies (Optional): Google Analytics for anonymous usage statistics. You can opt-out at any time through the cookie banner or browser settings.
• Advertising Cookies (Not Used): We do NOT use third-party advertising, tracking, or marketing cookies.

Managing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clearing your browser cookies (this will reset your preferences and show the banner again)
• Using the cookie settings in your browser to block specific cookies
• Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Enabling "Do Not Track" in your browser settings

GDPR & CCPA Compliance: Our consent mechanism follows Google Consent Mode v2, which ensures that no analytics cookies are set before you give explicit consent (GDPR requirement) and allows you to easily opt-out at any time (CCPA requirement).

8. GDPR Compliance (EU Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to Access: Request copies of your personal data (we store minimal data locally on your device)
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (clear browser local storage)
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of data processing
• Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data in a machine-readable format
• Right to Object: Object to our processing of your personal data (opt-out of Google Analytics)

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

9. CCPA Compliance (California Users)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of personal information we collect, use, and share
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information we have collected
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal data)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise your privacy rights without discriminatory treatment

We do not sell personal information. We only collect anonymous analytics data through Google Analytics and store user preferences locally on your device.

To exercise your CCPA rights, contact us at [email protected].

10. Children's Privacy

Our service is available to users of all ages as it provides educational geographic information. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

11. International Data Transfers

Our website is hosted on globally distributed infrastructure. By using our service, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, which may have different data protection rules. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• General support: [email protected]
• Contact form: countrystatecity.org/contact