WorldsTimes Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: September 06, 2025

At Worldstimes.com ("we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency in how we handle your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you visit our website at worldstimes.com or interact with our services (collectively, the "Services"). Our Services provide exclusive top stories from around the globe, including live updates, investigations, photos, videos, and coverage of international and regional news, politics, business, technology, science, health, arts, sports, opinion, and entertainment (such as Bollywood, Hollywood, Tollywood, trending videos, and fashion news).

This Privacy Policy complies with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and other relevant regulations. It also adheres to Google AdSense and Google Analytics policies, ensuring disclosures about third-party advertising, cookies, and data sharing. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not access or use our Services.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Table of Contents

  1. Information We Collect
  2. How We Collect Your Information
  3. How We Use Your Information
  4. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Information
  5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
  6. Third-Party Services and Advertising
  7. Data Security
  8. Data Retention
  9. Your Privacy Rights
  10. Children's Privacy
  11. International Data Transfers
  12. Do Not Track Signals and Universal Opt-Out Mechanisms
  13. Contact Us

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

  • Personal Information: Data that identifies you or can be used to identify you, such as your name, email address, or other details you voluntarily provide (e.g., when subscribing to newsletters, submitting comments, or contacting us).
  • Usage Data: Automatically collected information about your interactions with our Services, including IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, pages viewed, time and date of visits, and referring URLs.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: Data from cookies, web beacons, and pixels, which may include unique identifiers, preferences, and browsing behavior.
  • Analytics Data: Aggregated or anonymized data from tools like Google Analytics, such as session duration, bounce rates, and geographic location.
  • Advertising Data: Information related to ads served via Google AdSense, including ad impressions, clicks, and user interests inferred from browsing history.

We do not collect sensitive personal information (e.g., racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, or health data) unless voluntarily provided by you in user-generated content, in which case it is handled with extra care.

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect information through:

  • Direct Interactions: When you provide it voluntarily, such as filling out forms or subscribing to updates.
  • Automated Technologies: Via cookies, server logs, and tracking tools when you browse our site.
  • Third-Party Sources: From analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) and advertising partners (e.g., Google AdSense) that collect data on our behalf.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

  • To provide and maintain our Services, including delivering news content, updates, and multimedia.
  • To personalize your experience, such as recommending articles or showing relevant ads.
  • To analyze usage trends and improve our website using Google Analytics.
  • To serve targeted advertisements through Google AdSense.
  • To communicate with you, such as sending newsletters or responding to inquiries.
  • To comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud, and enforce our terms.
  • For internal operations, such as auditing, data analysis, and research.

Our lawful bases for processing under GDPR include your consent, performance of a contract, legitimate interests (e.g., improving Services), and legal compliance.

4. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Information

We may share your information with:

  • Service Providers: Third parties that assist us, such as hosting providers, analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), and advertising networks (e.g., Google AdSense).
  • Legal and Regulatory Authorities: If required by law, subpoena, or to protect our rights.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale.

We do not sell your personal information as defined under CCPA/CPRA. However, sharing with advertising partners like Google AdSense may constitute a "sale" or "sharing" under certain laws; you can opt out as described in Section 9.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality, analyze performance, and deliver personalized ads. Categories include:

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for site operation.
  • Analytics Cookies: To measure traffic and usage (e.g., via Google Analytics).
  • Advertising Cookies: To show relevant ads (e.g., via Google AdSense), based on your visits to our site and others.

Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits. You can manage cookies through your browser settings or opt out via tools like https://www.aboutads.info/ or https://optout.networkadvertising.org/.

For more details, see our separate Cookie Policy (if applicable).

6. Third-Party Services and Advertising

We integrate third-party services:

These services comply with GDPR and CCPA, and we ensure appropriate data processing agreements are in place.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures, including encryption, firewalls, and access controls, to protect your data. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection against breaches.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law. For example, analytics data may be kept for up to 26 months. After that, data is deleted or anonymized.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights such as:

  • Access: Request a copy of your data.
  • Correction: Update inaccurate information.
  • Deletion: Request removal of your data.
  • Opt-Out: From sales/sharing (under CCPA) or targeted advertising.
  • Objection/Restriction: Under GDPR, object to processing or restrict it.
  • Portability: Receive your data in a transferable format.
  • Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at the details in Section 13. We respond within applicable timeframes (e.g., 30 days under CCPA, one month under GDPR). For CCPA opt-outs, use our "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link (to be added to footer).

10. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under 13 (or 16 in some jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we become aware of such collection, we will delete it promptly.

11. International Data Transfers

If you are in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, your data may be transferred to countries like the US, which may not offer equivalent protection. We use Standard Contractual Clauses or other safeguards to ensure compliance with GDPR.

12. Do Not Track Signals and Universal Opt-Out Mechanisms

We honor Do Not Track (DNT) signals from browsers. We also recognize Global Privacy Control (GPC) and other universal opt-out mechanisms for opting out of targeted advertising and data sales/sharing.

13. Contact Us

For questions, requests, or complaints about this Privacy Policy, contact our Data Protection Officer at:

Thank you for trusting Worldstimes.com with your information. We are dedicated to maintaining your privacy while delivering high-quality news and entertainment.