Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 10 January 2026

The Variant (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website https://www.thevariant.us/ (the “Site”). We are a U.S.-based news organization committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Site.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using the Site, you agree to be bound by this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Site.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect information about you in a variety of ways:

Information You Provide

• Contact Information: When you subscribe to our newsletter, fill out a contact form, or reach out to us, we may collect your name, email address, and any message content you provide.
• Account Information: If you create an account, comment on articles, or participate in interactive features, we may collect your username, email address, and profile information.
• Communications: When you contact us for tips, corrections, or general inquiries, we retain the content of those communications.

Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: We collect information about how you use the Site, including pages visited, articles read, time spent on the Site, and referring URLs.
• Device Information: We may collect your IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and similar technical data.
• Location Data: We may infer general geographic location (e.g., country or region) from your IP address.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze Site traffic, and personalize content. See Section 5 for more details.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Deliver Content: Provide news articles, newsletters, and other content you request.
• Improve the Site: Analyze usage patterns to improve our content, design, and user experience.
• Communicate: Send you newsletters, respond to inquiries, and provide customer support.
• Personalization: Customize content and recommendations based on your interests.
• Security: Protect against fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access.
• Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal process.
• Advertising: Display relevant advertisements and measure ad performance (see Section 4).

3. Legal Basis for Processing (Where Applicable)

For visitors in the United States, we process your information based on:

• Consent: Where you have given explicit consent (e.g., newsletter signup).
• Legitimate Interests: To operate our news website, improve our services, and ensure security.
• Contract Performance: To fulfill services you have requested.
• Legal Obligation: Where required by law.

4. Advertising and Third-Party Services

We may work with third-party advertising partners and analytics providers. These partners may collect information about your visits to our Site and other websites to deliver targeted advertising and measure effectiveness.

Common third-party services may include:

• Google Analytics
• Advertising networks (e.g., Google AdSense, programmatic advertising)
• Social media plugins (e.g., Facebook, X/Twitter)
• Newsletter and email service providers

These third parties have their own privacy policies governing how they use your information. We encourage you to review their policies.

Interest-Based Advertising: You may opt out of interest-based advertising through industry tools such as:

• Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) Opt-Out
• Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) Opt-Out

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us remember your preferences and understand how you use our Site.

Types of Cookies We Use

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Note that blocking certain cookies may affect Site functionality.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With vendors who assist us in operating the Site (e.g., hosting, analytics, email delivery), subject to confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, where your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
• With Your Consent: When you have given us permission to share your information.

We do not sell your personal information in the traditional sense. However, some U.S. state laws (such as the California Consumer Privacy Act) define “sale” broadly to include sharing data for advertising purposes. See Section 8 for your rights.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. For example:

• Account data: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after deletion.
• Analytics data: Typically aggregated or anonymized; raw data may be retained for a limited period.
• Communications: Retained as needed for customer support and legal purposes.

8. Your Rights and Choices (U.S. Residents)

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

All U.S. Visitors

• Opt-Out of Marketing: Unsubscribe from our newsletters and marketing emails at any time via the link in each email.
• Cookie Preferences: Adjust your browser settings to manage cookies.
• Do Not Track: Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” signal; we honor such signals where technically feasible.

California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose.
• Delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Correct inaccurate personal information.
• Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do not sell personal information in the traditional sense, but we may share data for advertising. You may opt out of such sharing.
• Non-Discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 12. We will verify your identity before processing your request.

Other State Laws

Residents of other states (e.g., Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut) may have similar rights under their state privacy laws. Contact us to learn more or to exercise your rights.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. International Visitors

The Variant is based in the United States. If you access our Site from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where our servers are located. By using the Site, you consent to such transfer and processing.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

The Variant
Website: https://www.thevariant.us/
Email: [email protected]