Privacy Policy

Quick summary

This policy explains what KnowOutdoor collects, why we collect it, and what we do with it.

We run an editorial outdoor-activities site. We keep data collection to a minimum, and we do not sell your personal information.

What we collect

Minimal. Basic usage data, and anything you choose to send us.

Why we collect it

To run and improve the site, and to answer your messages.

Do we sell your data

No. We never sell your personal information.

Information we collect

We collect two kinds of information. The first is what you give us directly.

The second is what our systems record automatically when you visit.

You give us information when you contact us. If you email us or report a correction through /contact/, we receive the details you include.

That usually means your name, your email address, and the message itself. We only ask for what we need to reply to you.

We also collect some information automatically when you browse the site. This data is standard for almost any website, and we keep it limited.

It includes the following:

• Your device and browser type, such as whether you use a phone or a laptop.
• The pages you view and how long you spend on them.
• The page that referred you to us, such as a search engine or another site.
• An approximate location based on your IP address, usually at the country or region level.

We gather this automatic data through analytics. We aim to use privacy-friendly, aggregated analytics, which means we look at trends across many visitors rather than tracking any single person.

We do not build advertising profiles about you, and we do not try to identify you by name from this data.

Cookies and similar technologies

A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device. Cookies help a site remember basic information between page loads and visits.

Similar technologies, such as local storage, work in comparable ways.

We use a small number of analytics cookies to understand how the site is used. These help us count visits and see which pages readers find useful.

Affiliate links may also set cookies. When you click one, a partner may place a cookie so it can credit us if you later make a purchase.

You control cookies through your browser. Most browsers let you block or delete cookies in their settings.

You can also use private or incognito windows, which clear cookies when you close them. Blocking cookies will not lock you out of our articles, though some features may work differently.

How we use information

We use the information we collect for a short list of practical reasons. We do not use it for anything beyond running an honest editorial site.

• To operate the site and keep pages loading correctly.
• To improve the site by fixing problems and refining how content is organized.
• To respond to your messages and correction reports.
• To understand which articles help readers, so we can write more of what works.
• To maintain security and protect the site against abuse or fraud.

Our editorial standards sit alongside this policy. You can read how we research and write in our /editorial-policy/.

Affiliate links and advertising

Some links on this site are affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link and buy something, we may earn a commission from the partner at no extra cost to you.

This helps fund our writing.

When you click an affiliate link, the partner may collect information about that visit under its own privacy policy. We do not control how those partners handle your data.

We encourage you to read the privacy policy of any store or brand you buy from. We explain how affiliate relationships affect our recommendations in our /editorial-policy/ and our /disclaimer/.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal data. We do not trade it or rent it to anyone.

We share information only in the limited situations below.

• With service providers that help us run the site, such as our analytics provider and our hosting service. These providers act on our behalf and handle data under their own terms.
• When the law requires it, such as a valid legal request from an authority.
• To protect the site, our readers, or our rights if we reasonably believe it is necessary.

Some pages link out to third-party websites. Those sites have their own privacy policies, and this policy does not cover them.

Please review their policies when you visit them.

Data retention

We keep information only as long as we need it.

We hold on to messages you send us for as long as it takes to answer you and keep a reasonable record of the conversation.

We keep analytics data in aggregated form to track long-term trends, and we do not need to store it in a way that identifies you.

When we no longer need personal information, we delete it or remove the details that identify you.

Your choices and rights

You have choices about the information connected to you. Depending on where you live, you may also have specific legal rights.

We aim to honor these requests for everyone, regardless of location.

• You can ask what personal information we hold about you.
• You can ask us to correct information that is wrong.
• You can ask us to delete the messages and personal information you have sent us.
• You can opt out of analytics by blocking cookies in your browser or using a browser that limits tracking.

To make any of these requests, email us at [email protected] or use the form at /contact/. We may need to confirm your identity before we act, so that we do not share data with the wrong person.

Security

We take reasonable measures to protect the information we hold. We limit who can access it, and we work with reputable service providers.

Still, no website or method of transmission over the internet is perfectly secure.

We cannot promise absolute security, and you share information with us knowing that some risk always remains. If we ever learn of a breach that affects you, we will act to address it.

Children's privacy

This site is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you believe a child has sent us personal information, please email us at [email protected] and we will delete it.

Parents and guardians are welcome to contact us with any concern about a child's data.

International visitors

We operate this site from the United States.

If you visit from another country, your information will be processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those where you live.

By using the site, you understand that your information may be handled in the United States under this policy.

Changes to this policy and how to contact us

We may update this policy from time to time. When we make a meaningful change, we will update the date on this page.

Significant changes may also be noted elsewhere on the site. Please check back now and then so you know how we handle your information.

If you have any question about this policy or your data, we want to hear from you.

Email us at [email protected] or reach us through /contact/. For the rules that govern use of the site, see our /terms/.