Information We Collect
When you visit Michigan Capitol, we automatically receive standard information that your browser sends to any website. This includes your browser type and version, device type, operating system, language preference, the page you came from, and an approximate location derived from your IP address.
We also collect aggregated information about how visitors interact with the site, such as which articles are read, how long sessions last, and which pages lead readers to leave. We do not require accounts to read the site, and we do not collect names, email addresses, or other identifying information unless you choose to send them to us directly.
Third-Party Services
We use third-party analytics and advertising partners that may set their own cookies and collect data according to their own privacy policies. These partners receive technical information about your visit such as IP address, device, and pages viewed, but we do not share your name or contact information with them. We choose partners that are widely used and publicly accountable, and we review these arrangements periodically.
How We Use Information
The information we collect helps us operate and improve Michigan Capitol, understand what our audience cares about, fix technical issues, protect the site from abuse, and keep our reporting financially sustainable through advertising. We do not sell personal information, and we do not use site data to build profiles about individual readers.
Data Retention
We keep technical and analytics data only for as long as it is useful to operate and improve the site, then retain it in aggregated or anonymized form. Our third-party partners follow their own retention schedules as described in their policies.
Your Choices
You can decline non-essential cookies through your browser settings. You can also opt out of personalized advertising using industry tools offered by the Digital Advertising Alliance and similar programs. If you would like to know what information we might have about you, or ask us to delete it, you can contact us and we will do our best to help.
Children
Michigan Capitol is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from anyone in that age range. If you believe a child has provided information to us, please contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the site evolves or as the law requires. When we make material changes, we will update the date at the top and, where appropriate, highlight the change on the site.
Contact
Questions about this policy or how your information is handled can be sent to privacy@michigancapitol.com. For our rules on using our content, see our Terms of Service.