Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 30, 2026. Last updated: October 30, 2026.

1. Who we are

The Country is a free news site at thecountry.news, published by Founders Ramp LLC ("we," "us," "our"). This policy covers thecountry.news, the Founding Member signup, the emails we send members, and the feedback and dispute form on it (together, the "Service"). Questions about privacy: [email protected].

2. The short version

You can read The Country without an account. If you join as a Founding Member, we collect your email address, your name if you give it, and the page you signed up from. We use them to manage your membership and to send you updates about The Country. You can unsubscribe from any email, or ask us to delete your information, by writing to [email protected].
Our site sets no cookies and does not use local storage or other tracking technology on your device.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for targeted advertising.
We do not track you across other companies' apps or websites, and we run no advertising.
You can ask to see or delete information we hold about you by emailing [email protected].

3. Information we collect

What you send us. If you join as a Founding Member, we receive your email address, your name if you give it, and the page you signed up from. If you use the feedback or "Dispute this grade" form, we receive what you write, the page, grade or story it concerns, the email address you give us so we can reply, and your name if you choose to add it. If you email us, we receive your message and email address.

Basic technical data. When you visit, our hosting provider receives standard technical data such as your IP address, browser type and the page requested, which it needs to deliver the site and keep it secure. If we measure overall use, we use only cookieless, aggregate analytics.

4. Cookies

thecountry.news sets no cookies, first party or third party, and does not use local storage, advertising identifiers or similar technology to recognize you.

5. Embedded videos and links

Some stories include embedded videos from YouTube, shown through youtube-nocookie.com (YouTube's privacy-enhanced mode). When you play or interact with an embedded video, YouTube (Google) may collect data and store its own technology on your device under its privacy policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy), not ours. We do not receive that data. Links to other websites, including the original sources we grade, are governed by those sites' own policies.

6. How we use information

To read and answer feedback, disputes and corrections, and to correct grades or stories when needed.
To manage Founding Memberships and send members updates about The Country. Every email has a one-click unsubscribe.
To run the Service, keep it secure and prevent abuse.
To comply with law and enforce our Terms of Use.

AI processing. The Country uses AI systems to help create grades and run the Service. Feedback and dispute submissions may be processed by AI providers acting as our service providers to help review them.

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only:

With service providers who help us run the Service, such as hosting, form delivery and email, and AI processing.
For legal reasons, when we believe in good faith that the law requires it, or to protect the rights, safety or property of our readers, the public or Founders Ramp LLC.
In a business transfer, such as a merger, sale or reorganization.
With your consent or at your direction.

We may publish a short summary of a dispute or correction with the corrected grade. We will not publish your name or email address without your permission.

8. Global Privacy Control and "Do Not Track"

Because we do not sell or share personal information for targeted advertising, there is nothing to opt out of. We still treat a Global Privacy Control signal as a valid opt-out request.

9. Your choices and rights

Wherever you live in the United States, you can ask us to access, correct or delete the personal information we hold about you. Email [email protected] with the subject "Privacy Request." We may need to verify the request, usually through the email address you used. We aim to respond within 45 days, and we will not treat you differently for making a request. If we deny a request, we will explain why, and you can appeal by replying with "Appeal" in the subject line.

10. How long we keep information

We keep feedback, disputes and messages only as long as we need them to respond, keep a record of corrections and meet legal obligations, and then delete or de-identify them. We may keep information longer if the law requires it or to resolve a legal claim. We keep Founding Member signups until you ask us to delete them. If you unsubscribe, we keep your signup, marked as unsubscribed, so we don't email you again.

11. Security

We use reasonable safeguards, such as encryption in transit (HTTPS) and limited access. No system is perfectly secure. If a data breach affects your personal information, we will notify you and the authorities as the law requires, including Florida's data breach law (Fla. Stat. § 501.171).

12. Children

The Country is for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have, we will delete it. If you believe a child under 13 has sent us information, email [email protected].

13. Where we process data

We are based in the United States, and the Service is intended for readers in the United States.

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. We will change the "Last updated" date above, and if a change is material we will post a notice on the site before it takes effect.

15. Contact us

Founders Ramp LLC, publisher of The Country. Email: [email protected].