Privacy Policy
The Fort Wayne Update
Last updated: November 7, 2025This Privacy Policy explains how The Fort Wayne Update (“we,” “us,” “our”) collects, uses, and shares information about you when you visit our websites, read our email newsletters, respond to our forms, or participate in our SMS text messaging program.Summary: We collect contact info you provide (like email and mobile number), usage data (like opens/clicks), and limited device data. We use it to deliver the newsletter, send SMS alerts (if you opt in), improve content, and run ads/analytics. You can unsubscribe or opt out of SMS anytime.
Publisher: The Fort Wayne Update
Email: [email protected]
Phone - 260-242-9267
You provide: name, email, business info, mobile number (for SMS), ad/order details, survey responses, user-generated content, and communications with us.
Automatically: IP address, device/browser type, approximate location, pages viewed, newsletter opens/clicks, referral URLs, and similar analytics.
From partners: ad platforms, payment providers, lead-gen forms, and sponsors when permitted.
Send and personalize newsletters and alerts.
Operate our SMS program (see Terms/SMS section below).
Process payments, orders, and advertiser campaigns.
Provide customer support and respond to requests.
Measure performance, run analytics, prevent fraud/abuse, and maintain security.
Market our services (including retargeting/ads) where permitted.
If you opt in to SMS, we store your mobile number, consent status, timestamp, source (e.g., form URL), and message logs (e.g., HELP/STOP). We use this only to run the text program, troubleshoot, and meet A2P/TCPA/CTIA requirements. See “SMS Terms” for opt-out and help.
We share information with:
Service providers (email/SMS platforms, analytics, hosting, payment processors) under contracts that limit use to our instructions.
Advertisers/sponsors in aggregated/de-identified form (e.g., reach or clicks).
Legal/security if required by law or to protect rights, safety, and our services.
Business transfers (e.g., merger, acquisition).
We do not sell your personal information for money. We may share identifiers and online activity with ad partners for targeted advertising where allowed; you can opt out using your browser/device settings and any consent banner controls we provide.
We keep data only as long as needed for the purposes above, to comply with legal/record-keeping obligations, or to resolve disputes. When no longer needed, we delete or de-identify it.
Email: Every email includes an unsubscribe link.
SMS: Reply STOP to opt out; HELP for help.
Cookies/Ads: Use browser controls or our consent banner (where shown).
Access/Deletion/Correction: Email us at [[email protected]]. If you’re in certain jurisdictions (e.g., CA/CO/CT/UT/VA, EU/UK), you may have additional rights to access, delete, correct, or opt out of targeted advertising/profiling. We’ll verify your request before acting.
Do Not Track: We currently do not respond to DNT signals.
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
Our services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child provided data, contact us to delete it.
If you access from outside the U.S., your data may be processed in the U.S. and other countries with different data protection laws.
If we make material changes, we’ll update the “Last updated” date and, when appropriate, notify you (e.g., email, site notice).
The Fort Wayne Update
Last updated: November 7, 2025These Terms govern your use of our websites, newsletters, advertising placements, and SMS text messaging program (“Services”). By using the Services, you agree to these Terms.
You must be at least 18 (or the age of majority in your state) to subscribe, advertise, or opt in to SMS. You are responsible for the accuracy of information you provide and for maintaining the security of your devices and accounts.
We may include sponsored content and ads. We’re not responsible for third-party products/services.
If you purchase ads with us, additional insertion guidelines apply (creative standards, deadlines, prohibited content, tracking limits). We may decline or remove any ad at our discretion and will refund any unused, prepaid amounts if we decline before first run.
Prices, promotions (e.g., “Buy 1 week, get 3 free”), and inventory are subject to change until booked/paid.
Unless stated otherwise in an insertion order, all sales are final once your first insertion runs.
Make-good credits may be issued for missed runs caused by our systems.
Our logos, trademarks, site code, and content are owned by us or our licensors. You may not copy, distribute, or create derivative works without permission. Advertisers warrant they hold rights to all materials they provide and grant us a nonexclusive license to display and distribute those materials in connection with the Services.
You agree not to misuse the Services (no scraping at scale, spamming, reverse-engineering, security probing, illegal content, or infringement). We may suspend or terminate access for violations.
The Services are provided “as is.” To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim warranties (express/implied) and are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages. Our total liability for any claim related to the Services will not exceed the amount you paid us in the three (3) months before the claim arose.
You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims arising out of your content, your use of the Services, or your violation of these Terms.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to conflicts of law. Venue and jurisdiction lie in the state and federal courts located in Allen County, Indiana. (Optional: replace with arbitration clause if you prefer.)
We may update these Terms from time to time. If changes are material, we’ll notify you by reasonable means (e.g., site notice or email). Continued use after changes means you accept the updated Terms.
Program name: The Fort Wayne Update Alerts
Message types: News & event reminders, community updates, limited-time offers, and advertiser promotions relevant to Fort Wayne area subscribers.Opt-in methods:
Checking the SMS consent box on our forms and submitting your mobile number.
Texting a keyword we promote (e.g., JOIN, FWUPDATE) to our number.
Filling out a paper or point-of-sale form that includes the SMS disclosure.
Required disclosure (short form):By subscribing, you consent to receive recurring automated marketing and informational text messages from The Fort Wayne Update at the mobile number you provided. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase.Help & opt-out keywords (recognized commands):
STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, QUIT — we will confirm and stop SMS to your number.
HELP, INFO — we’ll reply with program info and a support contact.
Message frequency:
Frequency varies by user activity and local events; typically 0–8 messages per week. We may temporarily exceed this during breaking news or urgent updates.
Costs:
We charge no fees to send you SMS, but your carrier’s message and data rates may apply.
Eligibility & consent:
You must be 18+ and the owner or customary user of the mobile number.
By opting in, you authorize us to send texts using an automated system (which may be considered an autodialer). Consent is not required to buy our products or services.
Carrier liability:
Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
Data & privacy:
We use your mobile number and SMS interaction data to operate the program, comply with law, and improve our services. See the Privacy Policy above for details. We do not sell your mobile number.
Support:
For help, reply HELP or contact [email protected] (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm ET).
Opt-out after transfer or number reassignment:
If you change or deactivate your number, please opt out by replying STOP and then re-opt in with your new number if desired.
Prohibited content:
No user submissions containing illegal, harmful, or restricted content (e.g., hate speech, harassment, adult content, or anything violating carrier/CTIA policies). We may suspend numbers engaged in abuse or fraud.
Recordkeeping:
We maintain records of opt-in/opt-out events (timestamp, source, IP where applicable) to meet A2P/TCPA/CTIA compliance.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 260-242-9267
