Plain-language summary: You can read Underwater Times without creating an account. We do not request sensitive personal information, sell personal information, or use payment systems. If you email us, we receive the information you choose to send.
Key points
1. What information do we collect?
Information you disclose
We receive personal information only when you voluntarily provide it, such as when you send feedback, suggest a story, request a correction or ask a privacy question. This may include your email address, the contents of your message and any other details you choose to include.
We do not ask visitors to submit sensitive personal information. Please keep messages relevant and avoid including information that is not needed for your request.
Information received automatically
When a browser requests a page, normal server records may include an IP address, browser and device type, operating system, referring page, requested page, date and time, and error or performance information. These records help deliver pages, diagnose faults and protect the service. Approximate region may be inferred from an IP address, but Underwater Times does not request precise device location.
2. How do we use information?
Information may be used to:
- deliver and maintain the website;
- reply to feedback, privacy questions and correction requests;
- understand and resolve technical errors or misuse;
- protect the security and integrity of the service; and
- meet applicable legal obligations.
We do not use visitor information for automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects.
3. What legal bases do we rely on?
Where data-protection law requires a legal basis, processing may rely on your consent, our legitimate interest in operating a secure and useful editorial website, steps needed to respond to your request, compliance with law, or protection of legal rights and vital interests. You may withdraw consent for future processing when consent is the basis, although this does not change processing that was lawful before withdrawal.
5. External websites
News briefs link to independent publishers and other external resources. Once you follow an external link, that destination controls its own data practices. Its privacy terms apply, and Underwater Times is not responsible for how an external website handles information. A link is provided for reference and does not by itself imply endorsement.
6. Cookies and similar technologies
The core site does not require an account or payment session. Basic cookies may be used when technically necessary for site functions or security. Underwater Times does not include third-party analytics trackers, advertising pixels or social-media widgets on this page.
You can remove or block cookies through your browser settings. Blocking necessary storage may affect some website functions.
7. How long is information kept?
Information is kept only as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was received, including responding to correspondence, maintaining security records and meeting legal obligations. When it is no longer needed, it may be deleted or anonymized. Backup copies may remain temporarily until they are replaced through routine maintenance.
8. How do we protect information?
Reasonable technical and organizational measures are used to reduce unauthorized access, alteration, loss or misuse. No internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Send only information needed for your request and use a secure, up-to-date device and connection.
9. Information from children
The site is a general-interest news resource and does not knowingly solicit personal information from children under 18. If you believe a child has sent personal information, contact the privacy inbox so the matter can be reviewed and, where appropriate, the information deleted.
10. What are your privacy rights?
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction or portability of personal information, or to object to certain processing. You may also withdraw consent when processing depends on consent and lodge a complaint with the relevant data-protection authority.
Rights can be subject to verification and lawful exceptions. A request should describe what you are asking for and provide enough information to identify the relevant correspondence without including unnecessary sensitive details.
11. Browser privacy signals
Browsers may offer Do Not Track or other privacy-preference signals. Because these signals do not always have a uniform legal or technical interpretation, the site may not respond to every signal in the same way. Where applicable law requires recognition of a supported preference signal, the site will apply it as required.
12. California privacy rights
California residents may have rights to know about personal information collected, request access or deletion, correct inaccurate information, and receive equal service when exercising privacy rights. Underwater Times does not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising and does not process sensitive personal information for the purpose of inferring characteristics.
An authorized agent may submit a request where permitted by law. Proof of authority and reasonable identity verification may be required. Information supplied for verification is used only to assess and process the request.
13. Virginia privacy rights
Virginia residents may have rights to confirm whether personal data is processed, access it, correct inaccuracies, request deletion, obtain a portable copy and opt out of qualifying targeted advertising, sale or profiling. Underwater Times does not sell personal data. If a request is declined, you may ask for the decision to be reviewed by replying to the response.
14. Updates to this notice
This policy may be revised when site practices, technology or legal requirements change. The current version is identified by the updated date near the top of the page. Material changes will be presented clearly on the site where appropriate.
15. How can you contact us?
Questions, comments and privacy requests can be sent to info@underwatertimes.com-html.com. This email inbox is the only contact channel listed by Underwater Times for privacy correspondence.
16. Review, update or delete information
To request access to, correction of or deletion of personal information associated with your correspondence, email the privacy inbox. We may ask for limited information needed to verify your identity and locate the relevant record. We will review requests under the law that applies to the request.
Email info@underwatertimes.com-html.com with “Privacy request” in the subject line and briefly state the action you want us to take.