Privacy Policy
GraniteCitizen.com
Effective Date: February 14, 2026
Introduction
618 Digital, Inc., dba Granite Citizen ("we," "us," or "our") operates GraniteCitizen.com (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our Site, subscribe to our newsletter, create an account, purchase services, or otherwise interact with us.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about our data practices. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our Site or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Contact Information:
618 Digital, Inc.
Michael Halbrook, 4716 Brittany Ct, Granite City, IL 62040
Email: privacy@granitecitizen.com
Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
We collect information you voluntarily provide to us, including:
Account Information: When you create an account to become a Supporter, comment on articles, participate in community discussions, submit event listings, or manage business directory listings, we collect your name, email address, and password. For business directory accounts, we may also collect business name, address, phone number, website, and business description.
Payment Information: When you purchase a Supporter membership, business directory listing, deal add-on, or featured event placement, our payment processor (Stripe) collects your payment card information. We do not store complete credit card numbers on our servers. We receive confirmation of payment and may retain the last four digits of your card number for reference purposes.
Newsletter Subscription: When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address and, optionally, your name.
Communications: When you contact us via email or through our Site, we collect the information you provide in your messages.
User-Generated Content: When you submit event listings, business directory information, comments on articles, community board posts, or other content, we collect that content along with associated metadata.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information:
Analytics Data: We use privacy-respecting analytics to collect information about how visitors use our Site, including pages visited, time spent on pages, referring websites, browser type, device type, operating system, and general geographic location (city/region level).
Email Analytics: We track email opens and link clicks for newsletter deliveries. This helps us understand which content resonates with our readers.
Server Logs: Our web servers automatically record information including your IP address, browser type, referring/exit pages, and timestamps.
Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third parties, including:
- Payment processors (Stripe) regarding transaction status
- Email delivery services regarding delivery and engagement metrics
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
Providing Our Services: To operate the Site, deliver newsletters, process account registrations, publish user-submitted content, process payments for Supporter memberships, business listings, deals, and featured events, and manage the community board.
Communications: To send you newsletters you have subscribed to, respond to your inquiries, send transactional emails (such as payment confirmations, renewal reminders, and account notifications), and provide customer support.
Sponsor Communications: We may send emails to our subscriber list that include messages from sponsors or advertisers. These emails are sent by us - we do not share your email address directly with sponsors. You may opt out of marketing emails at any time.
Improvement and Analytics: To analyze how our Site is used, understand our audience, improve our content and services, and develop new features.
Safety and Security: To protect the security and integrity of our Site, detect and prevent fraud, enforce our Terms of Service, and comply with legal obligations.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information and improve our services. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize you and remember your preferences.
Types of Cookies We Use:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Site to function, such as maintaining your logged-in session
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our Site
Your Cookie Choices: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings. You can typically set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, some features of our Site may not function properly without cookies.
Do Not Track: Our Site does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals.
How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
Service Providers: We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:
- Stripe (payment processing)
- SendLayer (email delivery)
- Web hosting providers
- Analytics providers
These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us.
Public Content: Information you submit for publication - including business directory listings, event listings, comments on articles, and community board posts - will be publicly visible on our Site (community board posts are visible to other Supporters). Please do not include sensitive personal information in public submissions.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a legal request.
Business Transfers: If 618 Digital, Inc. is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control.
With Your Consent: We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.
Important: We Do Not Sell or Rent Email Lists. We do not sell, rent, or share our email subscriber lists with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.
Third-Party Links and Services
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Specifically:
- Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter
- Payment Records: Retained as required for tax and accounting purposes (typically seven years)
- Email Subscriber Information: Retained until you unsubscribe
- Analytics Data: Retained according to our standard retention periods
- User-Generated Content: Retained unless you request deletion or we remove it pursuant to our Terms of Service
Your Rights and Choices
Email Communications: You may unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or by contacting us directly.
Account Information: You may update your account information by logging into your account or by contacting us.
Deletion Requests: You may request deletion of your account and personal information by contacting us at privacy@granitecitizen.com. Please note that we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
California Residents: If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to request deletion, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. As noted above, we do not sell personal information. To exercise your rights, contact us at privacy@granitecitizen.com.
Illinois Residents: Illinois law provides certain protections for personal information. To exercise any rights you may have under Illinois law, contact us at privacy@granitecitizen.com.
Children's Privacy
Our Site is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are under 13, please do not provide any personal information through our Site. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe we may have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us at privacy@granitecitizen.com.
Users must be at least 13 years old to create an account or subscribe to our newsletter.
Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.
International Users
Our Site is operated in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that information you provide to us will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using our Site, you consent to this transfer.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised "Effective Date." We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of our Site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
For material changes, we may provide additional notice, such as an email notification to subscribers or a prominent notice on our Site.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
618 Digital, Inc.
Michael Halbrook, 4716 Brittany Ct, Granite City, IL 62040
Email: privacy@granitecitizen.com
This Privacy Policy was last updated on February 14, 2026.