Last updated: October 7, 2026
NorthIowaToday.com (“NIT,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy of its readers, subscribers, advertisers, news sources and visitors. This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected when you use NorthIowaToday.com, how that information may be used, and the choices available to you.
Information you provide to us
You may choose to provide information when you contact NIT, purchase or inquire about a subscription, submit a news tip, send photos or documents, inquire about advertising, communicate by email, or otherwise interact with the site.
Depending on the interaction, this information may include your name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, payment-related information, the contents of a message or news tip, uploaded files, and other information you voluntarily provide.
News-tip contact information is optional unless a particular form states otherwise. NIT may use contact information to verify information, ask follow-up questions, respond to you, or evaluate a potential story. Submission of a tip does not guarantee publication.
Information collected automatically
Like most websites, NorthIowaToday.com and the services that support it may automatically collect technical and usage information. This can include your IP address, browser type, device information, referring page, pages visited, approximate location derived from an IP address, and the date and time of a visit.
Cookies and similar technologies may be used to keep the site functioning, understand traffic and readership, remember preferences, prevent abuse, measure advertising, and improve the site.
Advertising, analytics and third-party services
NorthIowaToday.com displays advertising and may use third-party advertising, analytics, security, spam-prevention, hosting, form, email, and other service providers. These providers may use cookies or similar technologies according to their own privacy policies.
For example, advertising services may use information about visits to this and other websites to measure or personalize advertising. NIT does not control cookies or data collected directly by third-party services.
Subscriptions and payments
NIT may offer paid subscriptions, advertising, sponsored-content services, or other paid products and services. Payments may be processed by third-party payment providers. NIT generally does not receive or store a complete payment-card number when a payment is processed by an outside provider.
Payment providers handle information according to their own terms and privacy policies. NIT may receive transaction details necessary to confirm payment, provide access, maintain records, communicate with a customer, or resolve a payment issue.
How we use information
Information may be used to:
- operate, secure, maintain and improve NorthIowaToday.com;
- respond to questions, news tips and other communications;
- provide subscriptions, advertising or other requested services;
- verify information submitted for possible news coverage;
- prevent spam, fraud, abuse or security problems;
- understand readership and website performance;
- display, measure and support advertising;
- comply with legal obligations or lawful requests; and
- protect the rights, safety and property of NIT, its readers and others.
When information may be shared
NIT does not sell personal information as a standalone business practice. Information may be shared when reasonably necessary with service providers that help operate the site or provide a requested service, including hosting, payment, advertising, analytics, email, form, security and technical providers.
Information may also be disclosed when required by law, court order, subpoena or other legal process; when necessary to investigate fraud, abuse or a security issue; to protect legal rights or safety; or in connection with a sale, merger, transfer or reorganization of the business or its assets.
News tips, sources and submitted material
NIT understands that some people who provide news tips may have privacy concerns. We do not promise anonymity or confidentiality merely because information is submitted through a form, email, telephone call or other communication. If confidentiality is important, tell NIT before providing sensitive information so the circumstances can be discussed.
Do not send information you are not legally permitted to disclose. If you submit photographs, documents, video, audio or other material, you are responsible for having the right to provide that material.
Public information and published material
Information that is published on NorthIowaToday.com is public. Once information, a comment, photograph, document, letter, advertisement, sponsored article or other material is published, it may be copied, indexed, archived or shared by search engines, social-media services and third parties outside NIT’s control.
External links
NorthIowaToday.com links to government agencies, businesses, advertisers, social-media services and other outside websites. NIT is not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of third-party websites. Review the privacy policy of any outside service before providing personal information.
Data security and retention
NIT uses reasonable administrative and technical measures intended to protect information. No website, email system, payment system or Internet transmission can be guaranteed completely secure.
Information may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary for editorial, business, legal, security, recordkeeping or operational purposes.
Your choices
You may adjust browser settings to limit or delete cookies. Some site features or advertising functions may work differently if cookies are disabled.
If you receive an email communication that includes an unsubscribe method, you may use that method to opt out of similar messages. You may also contact NIT about information you previously provided, although legal, editorial, archival or recordkeeping obligations may limit what can be changed or deleted.
Children
NorthIowaToday.com is a general-audience news website and is not directed to children under 13. NIT does not knowingly seek personal information from children under 13 through the site.
Changes to this policy
NIT may update this Privacy Policy as the site, technology, advertising practices, legal requirements or services change. The current version will be posted on this page with an updated date.
Contact NorthIowaToday.com
Questions about this Privacy Policy may be sent to NorthIowaToday@gmail.com.
NorthIowaToday.com
146 6th Street SW
Mason City, Iowa 50401
515-897-1144