Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy describes how Carmel Hometown Dispatch ("we," "our," or "the Site") collects, uses, and protects your information when you visit and use our website located at https://carmel-in.hometowndispatch.us.com. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and handling any personal data with care and transparency.
This policy was last updated in March 2026.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information to provide and improve our local news and community service.
- Information You Provide: This may include your name, email address, or other contact details if you voluntarily submit them through forms (e.g., contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, submissions).
- Automatically Collected Information: When you visit the Site, we may automatically log certain non-personal data such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring website, pages viewed, and the dates/times of your visits. This information is used for site analytics and maintenance.
- Location Information: As a site focused on Carmel, Indiana, we may collect generalized, non-precise location data (e.g., city-level) to tailor local content, but we do not track your exact real-time location.
2. Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses "cookies" and similar technologies. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us understand how you interact with our site.
- Functional Cookies: These are necessary for basic site operation, such as maintaining session stability.
- Analytics Cookies: We use analytics services (like Google Analytics) to collect aggregated data about site traffic and user behavior. This helps us improve content and user experience.
- Third-Party Cookies: Cookies may be set by third-party services integrated on our site (e.g., advertisers, social media widgets). Their use is governed by their own privacy policies.
You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling cookies may affect certain site functionalities.
3. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing
We may engage with third-party service providers to support our operations.
- Analytics Providers: We use services like Google Analytics to analyze site usage.
- Advertising Networks: We may display advertisements via third-party ad networks, which may use cookies to serve relevant ads.
- Content Integrations: We may embed content from or link to other platforms (e.g., social media, mapping services).
We do not sell your personal information. We only share data with third parties as necessary for the Site's operation, under contractual obligations that require them to protect your information, or as required by law.
4. How We Use Your Information
The information we collect is used for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain, and improve the Carmel Hometown Dispatch website.
- To personalize and deliver local news and community content relevant to Carmel, IN.
- To communicate with you (e.g., respond to inquiries, send newsletters if you opted in).
- To analyze site performance and user engagement trends.
- To comply with legal obligations and protect the security of the Site.
5. Data Security and Retention
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. However, no online data transmission or storage is 100% secure. We retain collected data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.
6. Your Rights and Choices
You have certain rights regarding your personal information:
- Access and Correction: You may request details about what personal data we hold about you and ask for corrections.
- Opt-Out: You can opt out of our email communications by using the unsubscribe link in any newsletter.
- Cookie Controls: You can manage cookies through your browser settings.
- Do Not Track: Our Site does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals due to the lack of a standardized implementation.
7. Children's Privacy
Our Site is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware of such collection, we will take steps to delete that information.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy occasionally.
9. Contact Us for Privacy Concerns
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Email: privacy@hometowndispatch.us.com
We will endeavor to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.