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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 15, 2025
Operated by Mercury Local
PO Box 18146, Charlotte, NC 28202
StrollingBallantyne.com

1. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through strollingballantyne.com and all associated services, including newsletters, contact forms, media submissions, and advertising inquiries. It does not apply to social media interactions or third-party websites we may link to.

2. No Tracking. No Creeping.

We don’t collect more than we need—and we never monetize your attention.

What we collect:

  • Newsletter sign-up info: name and email (if you opt in)
  • Contact form submissions or email inquiries
  • Basic session cookies (first-party only, no identifiers)

What we don’t collect:

  • Geolocation data
  • Behavioral tracking across sites
  • Third-party ad pixels
  • Creepy browser fingerprinting

We don’t share, rent, sell, or license your information to anyone. Ever.

3. How We Use Your Info

We use what you give us only to:

  • Send newsletters if you subscribe
  • Respond to your inquiries or ad questions
  • Feature stories or photos you submit (with consent)

We do not use your info for targeted ads, third-party marketing, or algorithmic profiling.

4. Consent and Communication

When you subscribe to our newsletter, you consent to receive occasional emails from us. Each email includes an “unsubscribe” link. You can opt out at any time.

We respect your inbox. We’ll never send anything irrelevant, spammy, or sponsored without disclosure.

5. Data Retention

We retain minimal data for only as long as necessary:

  • Newsletter subscribers: until you unsubscribe
  • Advertiser inquiries: up to 18 months
  • Contact form submissions: typically deleted after response

You can ask us to delete your data at any time—just email us at hello @ mercurylocal.com

6. State-Specific Privacy Rights

If you’re a resident of California, Colorado, Virginia, or another U.S. state with a data privacy law, you may have additional rights to:

  • Request a copy of your personal information
  • Ask for corrections or deletions
  • Opt out of data sale (which we don’t do anyway)

To exercise any of these rights, email hello @ mercurylocal.com and include your state of residence in the subject line.

7. Children Under 13 (COPPA)

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has submitted data, we’ll delete it promptly. If you’re a parent and believe this has occurred, contact us directly.

8. Cookies and Storage

We use only essential, first-party cookies for basic site functionality. No third-party cookies. No trackers. No dark patterns.

9. Do Not Track

We respect your browser’s “Do Not Track” settings—but we go a step further: we don’t track you in the first place. There’s nothing for us to turn off.

10. Embedded Media & External Links

We may embed media (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo) or link to third-party sites. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Clicking off-site means you’re subject to their policies.

11. Security

We use HTTPS, strong access controls, and reputable service providers to protect your information. No system is perfect, but we take all reasonable steps to ensure your data stays safe.

12. No Sale of Personal Data

We do not sell, rent, trade, or transfer your personal data for any reason. Period.

13. Beta & Alpha Features

From time to time, we may test features labeled as “beta” or “alpha.” These are experimental. Use them at your own discretion. They may be buggy, disappear without warning, or misbehave—but we’ll always aim to improve based on your feedback.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we’ll revise the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. Continued use of the site implies acceptance of the updated terms.

15. Contact Us

📮 Mercury Local
PO Box 18146
Charlotte, NC 28202
📧 Email: hello @ mercurylocal.com

🦶 While You’re Here…

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Last Updated: May 15, 2025