Privacy Policy for The Lancaster Local
Last Updated: January 13, 2026
The Lancaster Local is a weekly community newsletter serving Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We're here to keep you connected to what's happening in your community—nothing more, nothing less.
We collect your email address so we can send you the newsletter. We don't sell your information. We don't spam you. We treat your data the way we'd want ours treated.
Email Address: Required to send you the newsletter
First Name (optional): So we can personalize your emails
Survey Responses (optional): If you choose to tell us about your interests, location within Lancaster County, or preferences to help us serve you better
Email Analytics: Whether you opened an email, which links you clicked (standard newsletter metrics)
Subscription Date: When you joined
Basic Device Info: Whether you're reading on mobile or desktop (helps us format better)
We don't track your browsing across other websites
We don't collect your physical address unless you provide it
We don't require your phone number
We don't use invasive tracking technologies
We use your information to:
Send You the Newsletter: That's the main thing
Improve Our Content: Understanding what topics resonate helps us serve you better
Manage Subscriptions: Handle unsubscribes, preferences, technical issues
Occasionally Survey Readers: To understand what you find valuable (always optional)
Measure Performance: Basic metrics like open rates help us know what's working
Your email address and personal information are not for sale. Period.
We work with trusted services to operate the newsletter:
Email Platform (Beehive): Hosts and sends our emails
Analytics Tools: Help us understand newsletter performance
Payment Processor (if applicable): For paid subscriptions or merchandise
These providers are bound by their own privacy policies and are required to protect your information.
We may disclose information if legally required (court orders, subpoenas, etc.), but we'll notify you unless prohibited by law.
We will never share your information with third parties for their marketing purposes.
Every email includes an unsubscribe link at the bottom. Click it and you're immediately removed—no questions asked, no hard feelings.
You can update your email address or preferences by:
Using the preferences link in any newsletter
Replying to any newsletter email
Contacting us at [your contact email]
Want to know what information we have about you? Just ask. Email us and we'll provide it within 30 days.
Want us to delete your information? We'll remove you from our systems within 30 days of your request (we may keep minimal records as required by law for financial/legal compliance).
We use minimal cookies on theLancasterLocal.com:
Essential Cookies: Keep the site functioning
Analytics: Basic traffic information (anonymous)
No advertising cookies. No creepy tracking.
We use standard email tracking (like whether you opened the email or clicked a link). This helps us understand what content resonates. You can disable image loading in your email client if you prefer not to be tracked.
We take reasonable precautions to protect your information:
Secure, encrypted connections (SSL/TLS)
Access limited to essential personnel only
Regular security reviews of our systems
Trusted, reputable service providers
That said, no internet transmission is 100% secure. We do our best, but can't guarantee absolute security.
The Lancaster Local is not directed at children under 13. We don't knowingly collect information from children. If you're a parent and believe your child has subscribed, please contact us and we'll remove them immediately.
If we make significant changes to how we handle your information, we'll:
Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
Notify you via the newsletter
Give you a chance to opt out if you disagree
Minor clarifications or updates may be made without notification.
We may feature local business sponsors in the newsletter. These are clearly marked as sponsored content.
Sponsors don't receive your email address or personal information
We choose sponsors based on relevance to Lancaster County residents
Sponsored content is always labeled as such
We may run Facebook ads to grow our subscriber base. These ads target Lancaster County residents based on Facebook's targeting (location, interests). We don't have access to your Facebook data—Facebook manages that targeting.
If you're a California resident, you have specific rights under the CCPA:
Right to know what personal information we collect
Right to request deletion of your information
Right to opt-out of the "sale" of personal information (though we don't sell data anyway)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
To exercise these rights, contact us at [your contact email].
If you're in the EU/EEA:
Legal Basis: We process your data based on consent (you subscribed) and legitimate interests (operating the newsletter)
Data Transfers: Your data is stored in the United States
Your Rights: Access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection
Supervisory Authority: You can file a complaint with your local data protection authority
Questions, concerns, or requests about your privacy?Email: [your contact email]
Response Time: We aim to respond within 3 business days
We started The Lancaster Local to serve the Lancaster County community, not to harvest data or chase ad dollars. Your trust matters more to us than any metric or revenue opportunity.We'll always:
Be transparent about what we collect and why
Give you control over your information
Treat your data as carefully as we treat our own
Prioritize your experience over our convenience
If we ever change that approach, we'll give you fair warning and an easy exit.
Bottom Line: We collect your email to send you a newsletter about Lancaster County. We don't sell your data. We don't spam you. We don't do anything weird with your information. If you ever want out, you can leave with one click.That's it. That's the policy.