Template notice: This privacy policy is a starting template written in plain language for a magazine website. It is not legal advice. Before relying on it, have it reviewed by qualified counsel and adapted to your organization, the services you actually use and the laws that apply where you and your readers are located.
This policy explains what personal information Ideabro Media ("Ideabro," "we," "us") collects when you use our website, newsletter, community features and AI tools; how we use it; and the choices you have. We've tried to write it the way we write everything else: clearly.
Last updated: [date]
The short version
- We collect what we need to run the magazine: your email if you subscribe, your account details if you sign up, and basic analytics about how the site is used.
- We don't sell your personal information.
- Our AI features may send your questions to a third-party AI provider to generate answers. Don't enter sensitive personal information into them.
- You can unsubscribe, download your data or delete your account at any time.
Information we collect
Information you give us
- Newsletter subscriptions: your email address, optionally your name, and the topics you choose.
- Accounts: your name, email address, password (stored only in securely hashed form), and any profile details you add, such as a bio or avatar.
- Community content: comments, forum posts, ideas, prompts and other things you publish on Ideabro. These are public by design.
- Submissions and messages: pitches, tips, advertising enquiries and other messages you send us, including any contact details you include.
- AI feature inputs: questions you ask in tools such as Ask the Archive and the Idea Lab.
Information collected automatically
- Usage analytics: pages viewed, articles read, approximate time on page and referring websites. We aim to use privacy-respecting analytics and to collect aggregate rather than individual data where possible.
- Device and log data: browser type, device type, IP address and timestamps, which help us keep the site secure and working.
- Cookies and similar technologies: small files used to keep you signed in, remember preferences (such as light or dark mode) and measure site usage. See "Cookies" below.
How we use information
We use personal information to:
- Send the newsletters you've subscribed to.
- Create and manage your account, and authenticate you when you sign in.
- Display the content you choose to publish, such as comments and forum posts.
- Respond to your messages, pitches, tips and enquiries.
- Generate answers and suggestions in our AI features.
- Understand which stories and features are useful, so we can improve the magazine.
- Protect the site and our community from spam, abuse, fraud and security threats.
- Comply with legal obligations.
We do not use your personal information to make decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on you.
AI features
When you use an AI feature, the text you enter and relevant Ideabro content may be sent to a third-party AI provider to generate a response. Where providers offer the option, we choose settings that prevent your inputs from being used to train their models. We may keep a record of questions asked — without linking them to your identity where possible — to improve answer quality and to detect misuse.
Please don't enter passwords, financial details, health information or other sensitive personal data into AI features.
How we share information
We don't sell your personal information. We share it only:
- With service providers who help us operate Ideabro — for example, hosting, email delivery, analytics, payment processing and AI providers — under agreements that limit their use of your data to providing services to us.
- When you make it public, such as by posting a comment or forum reply.
- For legal reasons, if required by law or to protect the rights, safety and security of our readers, our staff or others.
- In a business transfer, if Ideabro is involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of assets, in which case we'll notify you of any change in how your information is handled.
Cookies
We use essential cookies to keep you signed in and to remember your preferences. We may use analytics cookies or similar technologies to understand how the site is used. Where required by law, we will ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies, and you can change your choice at any time. You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though some features may stop working.
How long we keep information
- Newsletter data: until you unsubscribe, plus a short period to make sure we honor your choice.
- Account data: for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we need to keep it for legal reasons.
- Community content: until you delete it or your account. Some content, such as replies quoted by others, may remain in anonymized form.
- Messages and submissions: for as long as needed to respond and maintain editorial records.
- Analytics: in aggregate form for as long as useful; detailed logs for a limited period.
Your choices and rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, download or delete your personal information, to object to or restrict certain uses, and to withdraw consent. You can:
- Unsubscribe from any newsletter using the link in every email.
- Update or delete your account from your account page.
- Make a request by emailing privacy@ideabro.com. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.
You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.
Children
Ideabro is intended for a general adult audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age required by applicable law without appropriate consent. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections and hashed passwords. No system is perfectly secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security, but we work to protect your data and will notify you of a breach where required by law.
International transfers
Our service providers may process information in countries other than your own. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for these transfers.
Changes to this policy
We'll update this policy as our services change. If we make significant changes, we'll notify you by email or with a notice on the site before they take effect.
Contact
Questions about privacy? Email privacy@ideabro.com or use our contact form.
Last updated · Questions? hello@ideabro.com