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Privacy Policy

M. SHANKEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

PRIVACY POLICY

Last Modified: April 1, 2026

Effective Date: April 1, 2026

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Overview

2. Information We Collect

3. How We Collect Information

4. How We Use Your Information

5. How We Share Your Information

6. Advertising and Your Choices

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

8. Your Privacy Rights

9. How to Exercise Your Privacy Rights

10. International Users and Data Transfers

11. Data Security

12. Data Retention

13. Children and Minors

14. Third-Party Links and Services

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

16. Contact Us

 

1. Overview

This Privacy Policy governs all websites, mobile applications, e-newsletters, social media accounts, and other digital services (“Services”) operated and provided by M. Shanken Communications, Inc. and its parent, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies (“M. Shanken,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

Our Services include, but are not limited to:

  • Wine Spectator (winespectator.com)
  • Whisky Advocate (whiskyadvocate.com)
  • Cigar Aficionado (cigaraficionado.com)
  • Shanken News Daily (shankennewsdaily.com)
  • Market Watch Magazine (marketwatchmag.com)
  • M. Shanken Communications corporate site (mshanken.com)
  • Related mobile applications and digital products

 

This Policy describes:

  • The categories of personal information we collect and how we collect it
  • How we use and share your personal information
  • Your rights and choices regarding your personal information
  • How we protect your information

 

By accessing, visiting, or using any of our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this Privacy Policy or our Terms of Service, please do not use our Services.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal information:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Category

Examples

Contact Information

Name, email address, mailing address, phone number

Account Information

Username, password, account preferences

Payment Information

Credit card number, billing address (processed by secure third-party payment processors)

Demographic Information

Age, gender, date of birth, preferences

User Content

Comments, forum posts, survey responses, contest entries

Communication Data

Emails, customer service inquiries, feedback

Professional Information

Job title, company name, industry (for trade/professional subscribers)

 

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Category

Examples

Device Information

IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers

Usage Data

Pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on pages, search queries

Location Data

General geographic location derived from IP address

Referral Data

How you arrived at our Services (search engine, social media, etc.)

 

2.3 Information from Third Parties

Source

Information

Social Media Platforms

Profile information if you connect social accounts

Advertising Partners

Inferences about interests and preferences

Data Providers

Demographic and interest data to enhance our records

Analytics Providers

Aggregated usage and behavioral data

 

2.4 Sensitive Personal Information

We generally do not collect sensitive personal information. However, our Services relate to alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, which may indicate lifestyle preferences. We do not use this information to infer health conditions or for any discriminatory purpose.

3. How We Collect Information

We collect information through the following methods:

Direct Collection:

  • When you register for an account or subscribe to our publications
  • When you sign up for e-newsletters
  • When you make a purchase through our Services
  • When you enter contests, sweepstakes, or promotions
  • When you participate in surveys or provide feedback
  • When you post comments or content on our Services
  • When you contact our customer service team

 

Automated Collection:

  • When you interact with our site, through cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7)
  • Through web beacons and pixels
  • Through server logs and analytics tools

 

Third-Party Collection:

  • Through our advertising and analytics partners
  • Through social media platforms when you interact with our content

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

4.1 Providing Our Services

  • Delivering subscriptions and purchased products
  • Managing your account and preferences
  • Processing payments and transactions
  • Providing customer support
  • Sending transactional communications (order confirmations, account updates)

4.2 Improving Our Services

  • Analyzing usage patterns to improve user experience
  • Conducting research and analytics
  • Developing new features and content
  • Troubleshooting technical issues

4.3 Marketing and Advertising

  • Sending promotional emails and newsletters (with your consent)
  • Displaying personalized content and recommendations
  • Delivering targeted advertisements on our Services and third-party platforms
  • Measuring the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns

4.4 Legal and Security Purposes

  • Complying with legal obligations
  • Protecting our rights and property
  • Preventing fraud and unauthorized access
  • Enforcing our Terms of Service

5. How We Share Your Information

We may share the categories of personal information described above with the following categories of third parties:

M. Shanken Communications Affiliated Companies: We may share your information with M. Shanken Communications affiliated companies to offer you products and services that may be of interest to you.

Advertising Partners: We may share certain information with advertising partners whose products or services we believe may be of interest to you. These parties may also disclose your information to others or use your information for their own marketing purposes. Under some state privacy laws, this sharing may be considered a “sale” of personal information. You have the right to opt out of this sharing (see Section 6).

Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers who perform functions on our behalf. These include payment processors, email service providers, cloud hosting providers, analytics providers, and customer service platforms. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

With Any Successors to Our Business: If M. Shanken Communications is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

For Legal Purposes: We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to court orders, subpoenas, or legal process; government or regulatory requests; to protect our legal rights or property; to prevent fraud or security threats; or to protect the safety of our users or the public.

6. Advertising and Your Choices

6.1 Our Advertising Model

M. Shanken Communications is an advertising-supported media company. We display advertisements on our Services and work with advertising partners to deliver relevant ads to you across the internet.

First-Party Advertising: We use information about your interactions with our Services to display relevant advertisements and content.

Third-Party Advertising: We work with advertising partners who may collect information about your browsing activity to deliver targeted advertisements on other websites and platforms.

6.2 How to Opt Out of Targeted Advertising

You have several options to limit targeted advertising:

On Our Services:

  • Click the “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link in our website footer
  • Submit an opt-out request at privacy@mshanken.com
  • Adjust your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner

 

Global Privacy Control (GPC): We honor the Global Privacy Control signal. If your browser or device sends a GPC signal, we will treat it as a valid opt-out request for the sale or sharing of your personal information. If you have opted out via GPC, we will provide you with confirmation that your opt-out preference has been honored.

Industry Opt-Out Tools:

  • Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info
  • Network Advertising Initiative: optout.networkadvertising.org

 

Platform-Specific Controls:

  • Meta/Facebook: facebook.com/ads/preferences
  • Google: adssettings.google.com

 

Please note: Opting out of targeted advertising does not mean you will stop seeing ads. You will still see advertisements, but they may be less relevant to your interests.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our Services. We use cookies and similar technologies (pixels, web beacons, local storage) to enhance your experience and collect information about how you use our Services.

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

Cookie Type

Purpose

Examples

Strictly Necessary

Essential for site functionality

Authentication, security, load balancing

Functional

Remember your preferences

Language, region, display settings

Analytics

Understand how you use our Services

Google Analytics, Quantcast

Advertising

Deliver relevant ads and measure effectiveness

Meta Pixel, Google Ads, The Trade Desk, LinkedIn, Pinterest

Marketing

Customer engagement and communications

Braze

 

7.3 Third-Party Cookies

The following third parties may set cookies on our Services:

Analytics:

  • Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
  • Quantcast

 

Advertising:

  • Meta Platforms (Facebook Pixel)
  • Google Ads / Google Marketing Platform
  • The Trade Desk
  • LinkedIn Insight Tag
  • Pinterest Tag
  • Programmatic advertising partners

 

Marketing and Customer Engagement:

  • Braze

 

Consent Management:

  • Cookiebot (Usercentrics) — used to manage your cookie preferences and consent choices

7.4 Managing Cookies

Cookie Consent Banner: When you first visit our Services, a cookie consent banner powered by Cookiebot will appear, allowing you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings icon on our website.

Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through settings. Note that blocking cookies may affect functionality.

Global Privacy Control: We honor the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal as an opt-out of sale/sharing of your personal information.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction and state of residence, you may have certain rights under applicable privacy laws. The following table summarizes the rights that may be available to you. Not all rights are available in every state; availability depends on the specific laws applicable to your state of residence.

Right

Description

Right to Know

Request the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you

Right to Delete

Request deletion of your personal information

Right to Correct

Request correction of inaccurate personal information

Right to Opt-Out

Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information for targeted advertising

Right to Limit

Limit the use of sensitive personal information

Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights

Right to Data Portability

Obtain a copy of your personal data in a portable, readily usable format

Right to Appeal

Appeal our decision regarding your privacy request

Opt-Out of Marketing

Unsubscribe from promotional emails at any time

Cookie Choices

Manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner

 

Categories of Personal Information Collected (Past 12 Months):

  • Identifiers (name, email, IP address)
  • Commercial information (purchase history, subscriptions)
  • Internet activity (browsing history, interactions with our Services)
  • Geolocation data (general location from IP)
  • Inferences (preferences, interests)

 

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information: You may opt out of the sharing of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link on our website or by contacting us.

Shine the Light (California): California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits California residents to request information about disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. Contact us for this information.

9. How to Exercise Your Privacy Rights

Submit a Request:

  • Email: privacy@mshanken.com
  • Phone: (888) 360-9777
  • Online: [Link to Privacy Request Form]
  • Mail: M. Shanken Communications, Inc., ATTN: Privacy Officer, 825 Eighth Avenue, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10019

 

Verification: To protect your privacy, we will verify your identity before fulfilling your request. We may ask you to provide information that matches our records.

Response Time: We will respond to your request within 45 days (or as required by your state’s law). If we need additional time, we will notify you.

Appeals Process: If we deny your request, you have the right to appeal. To appeal, contact us at privacy@mshanken.com with “Privacy Appeal” in the subject line. We will respond to your appeal within 60 days (or as required by your state’s law).

Authorized Agents: You may designate an authorized agent to submit requests on your behalf. We may require written authorization and verification of the agent’s identity.

10. International Users and Data Transfers

10.1 International Users

Our Services are operated from the United States and are intended for users worldwide. If you access our Services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

10.2 Data Transfers

We may transfer your personal information to countries other than your country of residence for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy. We take appropriate measures to ensure your information receives adequate protection, including:

  • Standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission
  • Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

10.3 GDPR Compliance (EEA, UK, and Switzerland)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Right

Description

Access

Request access to your personal data

Rectification

Request correction of inaccurate data

Erasure

Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)

Restriction

Request restriction of processing

Portability

Receive your data in a portable format

Object

Object to processing based on legitimate interests

Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent at any time

Lodge Complaint

File a complaint with a supervisory authority

 

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your personal data based on your consent, performance of a contract with you, our legitimate business interests, and compliance with legal obligations.

10.4 PECR Compliance (UK)

We comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) by obtaining consent before using non-essential cookies and providing clear information about our cookie practices.

11. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Security measures include:

  • Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
  • Secure data storage with access controls
  • Regular security assessments
  • Employee training on data protection

 

No system is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you believe your account has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

12. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Services to you, fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

Data Type

Retention Period

Account Information

Duration of account plus 3 years

Transaction Records

7 years (for tax/legal purposes)

Marketing Preferences

Until you opt out or delete your account

Analytics Data

26 months (aggregated/anonymized)

Customer Service Records

3 years after resolution

 

When we no longer need your personal information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

13. Children and Minors

Our Services relate to alcoholic beverages and tobacco products and are intended for adults 21 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 21 years of age.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe we have collected information from your child, please contact us immediately at privacy@mshanken.com. We will take steps to delete the information and terminate any associated account.

14. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, applications, and services that we do not own or control. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you visit.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons.

When we make changes:

  • We will post the updated Privacy Policy on our Services with a new “Last Modified” date
  • For material changes, we may notify you by email or through a prominent notice on our Services

 

Your continued use of our Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

 

M. Shanken Communications, Inc.

ATTN: Privacy Officer

825 Eighth Avenue, 33rd Floor 

New York, NY 10019

Email: privacy@mshanken.com

Phone: (888) 360-9777

 

For privacy requests: [Link to Online Request Form]

For complaints or concerns: If you are not satisfied with our response, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority in your jurisdiction.

 

Appendix A: California Metrics Disclosure

[To be updated annually with CCPA-required metrics, including number of requests received, complied with, denied, and average response time.]

Appendix B: Categories of Third Parties

Analytics Providers:

  • Google Analytics / GA4
  • Quantcast

 

Advertising Partners:

  • Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram)
  • Google Ads / Google Marketing Platform
  • The Trade Desk
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Programmatic advertising partners (DSPs, SSPs, ad exchanges)

 

Marketing and Customer Engagement:

  • Braze

 

Consent Management:

  • Cookiebot (Usercentrics)

 

Service Providers:

  • Payment processors
  • Email service providers
  • Cloud hosting providers
  • Customer service platforms

 

This Privacy Policy was last reviewed and updated on April 1, 2026 to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state privacy laws.