Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 2026

1. Introduction

HotpotNews ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website hotpotnews.com.

2. Information We Collect

Information you provide

  • Email address when subscribing to our newsletter or participating in reader surveys
  • Name and email when contacting us or submitting story pitches
  • Account details and Google Account authentication tokens when signing in or contributing via Google Reader Revenue Manager

Information automatically collected

  • Log data (anonymized IP address, browser type, referring pages, read timestamps)
  • Cookies and local storage preferences (theme, bookmark sync, reading streaks)

3. How We Use Your Information

  • To deliver editorial newsletters and reader survey updates (with explicit consent)
  • To process voluntary contributions and entitlements via Google Reader Revenue Manager
  • To respond to editorial inquiries and corrections requests
  • To analyze aggregated traffic patterns and improve content relevance
  • To comply with applicable laws, copyright safeguards, and platform security requirements

4. Data Sharing & Third-Party Services

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We only share data with trusted infrastructure providers strictly necessary to operate our news platform:

  • Google (Reader Revenue Manager & Google Pay): When you contribute, subscribe, or answer reader surveys, Google processes authentication and payments subject to Google's Privacy Policy. HotpotNews only receives the verified account identifier and email permission granted by you.
  • Cloudflare: Provides edge delivery, DDoS mitigation, and Cloudflare Turnstile anti-spam verification without selling user data.
  • Transactional Email (Resend): Delivers account verification and requested newsletter issues.

5. Cookies

We use essential cookies for authentication and preferences. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features may not work properly.

We also show a cookie consent banner for analytics choices. You can accept or decline analytics cookies, and your choice is respected for future visits unless you clear your browser storage.

For more detail, read our Cookie Policy.

6. Your Rights

  • Access your personal data
  • Request correction or deletion
  • Unsubscribe from newsletter at any time
  • Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

7. Contact Us

For privacy concerns, contact us at privacy@hotpotnews.com.