PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: July 10, 2025

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

The Critical Thinker LLC ("The Critical Thinker," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with transparency and care. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you visit www.thecriticalthinker.media or interact with any of our associated platforms, including but not limited to social media channels, livestreams, newsletters, and podcasts (collectively, the "Service").

The Critical Thinker LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Texas.

By using the Service or providing us with your information, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Service immediately.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

a. Personal Information

Information you voluntarily provide to us, including but not limited to:

  • Full name

  • Email address

  • Any other information submitted via contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, donation processing, comments, or direct correspondence

b. Non-Personal Information

Information collected automatically when you access the Service, including but not limited to:

  • Browser type and version

  • Device type and operating system

  • Pages visited, content viewed, and time spent on the Service

  • IP address and general geolocation data

  • Referring URLs and exit pages

  • Interaction data collected via cookies and third-party analytics services

c. Payment and Donation Information

If you make a voluntary donation through the Service, payment processing is handled by a third-party payment processor. The Critical Thinker does not directly collect or store your financial information, including credit card numbers or banking details. All payment data is governed by the privacy policy of the applicable third-party processor.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To deliver newsletters, updates, and content you have subscribed to receive

  • To respond to inquiries, feedback, or support requests

  • To improve the performance, functionality, and user experience of the Service

  • To monitor site traffic, analytics, and audience engagement

  • To ensure the security and integrity of the Service

  • To comply with applicable legal obligations

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for commercial purposes.

3. Newsletter and Email Communications

By subscribing to The Critical Thinker newsletter or any associated email communications, you expressly consent to receive periodic emails from us including but not limited to news updates, editorial content, show announcements, and platform developments.

In compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act, every marketing email we send will:

  • Clearly identify The Critical Thinker as the sender

  • Include a valid physical mailing address or contact information

  • Provide a clear and functional unsubscribe mechanism

  • Honor all unsubscribe requests within ten (10) business days

You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly at info@thecriticalthinker.media.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Critical Thinker uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to analyze site usage, understand visitor behavior, and improve the user experience. By continuing to use the Service, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this Policy.

The types of cookies we may use include:

  • Essential cookies — required for basic site functionality

  • Analytics cookies — used to track usage patterns and site performance, including through services such as Google Analytics

  • Preference cookies — used to remember your settings and preferences

You may disable cookies at any time through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain features of the Service. For information on how Google Analytics collects and processes data, please visit www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners.

5. Third-Party Services

We may engage trusted third-party service providers to assist in operating the Service, including but not limited to email delivery platforms, website analytics providers, payment processors, and content distribution networks. These providers may collect or process data on our behalf and are subject to their own privacy policies.

Current categories of third-party services we may use include:

  • Email service providers for newsletter delivery

  • Google Analytics for website traffic analysis

  • Payment processors for voluntary donation handling

  • Social media platforms for content distribution

The Critical Thinker is not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party service or any external website linked through the Service.

6. Data Retention

The Critical Thinker retains personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by applicable law. Specifically:

  • Newsletter subscriber information is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion

  • Contact form submissions are retained for a reasonable period to address your inquiry and then deleted

  • Analytics data is retained in accordance with the retention policies of the applicable third-party analytics provider

Upon verified request, we will delete your personal information from our records within a reasonable timeframe, subject to any legal obligations requiring retention.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

For All Users

  • The right to access the personal information we hold about you

  • The right to correct or update inaccurate information

  • The right to request deletion of your personal information

  • The right to opt out of marketing communications at any time

For California Residents — CCPA

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

  • The right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, or sell

  • The right to request deletion of your personal information

  • The right to opt out of the sale of your personal information — The Critical Thinker does not sell personal information

  • The right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

To exercise any of your rights, please contact us at info@thecriticalthinker.media. We will respond to all verified requests within forty-five (45) days as required by applicable law.

8. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to children under the age of 13. The Critical Thinker does not knowingly collect personal information from any individual under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our records.

If you believe we may have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at info@thecriticalthinker.media.

9. Data Security

The Critical Thinker implements reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure.

While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security and disclaim liability for any unauthorized access or data breach beyond our reasonable control.

10. Modifications to This Policy

The Critical Thinker reserves the right to modify, update, or replace this Privacy Policy at any time without prior notice. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Your continued use of the Service following any modification constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

11. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising under or in connection with this Privacy Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Travis County, Texas.

12. Contact

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:

The Critical Thinker LLC
info@thecriticalthinker.media
www.thecriticalthinker.media