At Maplestime, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use maplestime.com, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using our website, you agree to the practices described here.
Information you give us
We collect information you provide directly, such as your email address when you subscribe to The Maple Briefing newsletter, the contents of messages you send us (story tips, corrections, contact forms), and donation details when you support us through our donate page. Donation payments are processed by third-party payment processors — we do not see or store your full payment card details.
Information collected automatically
When you visit Maplestime, we automatically collect basic technical information: your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and how long you spend on them. This helps us understand what readers care about and keeps the site fast and secure.
Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for a few straightforward purposes: remembering your preferences (like dismissing our newsletter popup), measuring traffic, and serving ads. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings at any time, though some parts of the site may work less smoothly without them.
Analytics
We use analytics tools, including Google Analytics, to understand aggregate reading patterns — which stories get read, where readers come from, what devices they use. This data is aggregated and never used to identify you personally.
Advertising
Maplestime shows ads, including ads served by Google AdSense and other advertising partners. These third parties may use cookies, including the Google DART cookie, to serve ads based on your visits to this and other sites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings or aboutads.info. Learn more in Google’s Privacy Policy.
How we use your information
We use the information we collect to operate and improve Maplestime: sending the newsletter you asked for, responding to your messages, processing donations, understanding our audience, preventing spam and abuse, and meeting legal obligations. We do not sell your personal information to anyone, ever.
Sharing your information
We share information only when necessary: with service providers who help us run the site (hosting, email delivery, analytics, payment processing), all bound to protect it; with law enforcement when required by law; and in the unlikely event of a sale or transfer of Maplestime, where reader data would transfer under these same protections.
Data retention
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes above — for example, your email stays on our newsletter list until you unsubscribe, at which point it is removed.
Your rights
If you are in Canada, PIPEDA and applicable provincial privacy laws give you the right to access the personal information we hold about you, ask for corrections, and withdraw consent for marketing emails at any time (every newsletter includes an instant unsubscribe link). To exercise these rights, email [email protected] and we will respond within 30 days.
Children’s privacy
Maplestime is a general-audience news site and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the site evolves. When we do, we will post the new version here and update the date below. Significant changes will be noted clearly.
Last updated: September 2026.
Questions about privacy? Email [email protected].