Overview

The Progressive is committed to protecting the privacy of our subscribers and readers. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and — most importantly — what we will never do with it.

Information We Collect

When you subscribe to The Progressive, we collect basic account information including your name, email address, and payment information. Payment processing is handled securely by Substack and their payment partners. We do not store or have direct access to your full payment details.

We may also collect general usage data such as open rates and click activity, which is used solely to improve the quality and delivery of our content.

We may collect certain technical information automatically, including your IP address, browser type, device type, and general geographic location. This information is used only for security and platform performance purposes.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information only to:

• Deliver content, newsletters, and updates to your inbox

• Process and manage your subscription

• Communicate with you about your account

• Improve the quality and delivery of our content

We do not use your information for advertising, marketing partnerships, or any purpose beyond operating this publication.

What We Will Never Do

We will never sell, rent, trade, or otherwise share your personal information with any third party for any commercial purpose. Ever. Your data is not a product. You are a reader, not inventory.

When Disclosure May Be Required

The only circumstances under which The Progressive would disclose subscriber information to any outside party are:

• When required by a valid court order, subpoena, or other binding legal process issued by a court of competent jurisdiction

• When required by applicable federal, state, or local law

• When necessary to protect the safety of any person from imminent harm

In all such cases, we will disclose only the minimum information required to comply, and we will make reasonable efforts to notify affected subscribers in advance when legally permitted to do so.

Third-Party Platforms

The Progressive is hosted on Substack. Your use of this platform is also subject to Substack’s Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review it. We have no control over Substack’s data practices, but we have selected them as a platform because of their commitment to subscriber privacy.

Cookies

Our platform may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to maintain session functionality and analyze general usage patterns. We do not use cookies for targeted advertising or cross-site tracking. You may configure your browser to refuse cookies, though doing so may affect certain features of the platform. By using our site, you consent to the use of cookies as described here.

Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect subscriber information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify affected subscribers as required by applicable law.

California Residents — Your Rights Under the CCPA

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants you specific rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Know — You have the right to request that we disclose what personal information we have collected about you, the sources of that information, and how it is used.

• Right to Delete — You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.

• Right to Opt Out — You have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information. We do not sell personal information, so this right is already protected by our policy.

• Right to Non-Discrimination — We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your CCPA rights.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@theprogressive.net. We will respond to verified requests within 45 days as required by law.

European and International Readers — GDPR

If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• Right of Access — You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

• Right to Rectification — You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

• Right to Erasure — You may request deletion of your personal data where there is no compelling reason for us to continue processing it.

• Right to Restrict Processing — You may request that we limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.

• Right to Data Portability — You may request that we provide your data in a structured, commonly used format.

• Right to Object — You may object to our processing of your personal data at any time.

Our legal basis for processing your personal data is your consent, provided at the time of subscription. You may withdraw that consent at any time by unsubscribing or contacting us directly. To exercise any GDPR rights, contact us at info@theprogressive.net.

Your Rights — All Readers

Regardless of your location, you may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information at any time by contacting us directly. You may also unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in any email we send.

Children’s Privacy

The Progressive is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately at info@theprogressive.net and we will delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

If we make material changes to this privacy policy, we will notify subscribers via email and update the date at the top of this document. Continued use of The Progressive following such notice constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

Questions about this policy? Reach us at: info@theprogressive.net

This privacy policy is provided for informational purposes and reflects the practices of The Progressive as an independent publication. It does not constitute legal advice.