Privacy
Reading the Reel requires no account. Reader data is kept to the minimum the service needs.
Reading the site
The Reel does not use tracking cookies, third-party advertising networks, or reader profiles. It uses a self-hosted Plausible Analytics service on Canadian infrastructure to count aggregate visits and understand which pages are useful. Plausible is cookie-free and does not follow a reader across sites.
The web server processes ordinary technical request information, such as an IP address, browser type, and requested page, for delivery, security, and troubleshooting. Reader pages do not set an operator sign-in cookie. That cookie exists only after the operator signs in.
The launch site does not run separate sponsorship or placement impression and click beacons.
Searching The Heron
When you search The Heron, the Reel keeps the words you searched for, the date (not the time) and how many results came back, so it can see what readers look for and cannot find. Nothing about who searched is kept. These records are deleted after one year. The analytics service never sees your search words.
Weather widget
When the Home weather display is enabled, the page loads the official widget from WeatherWidget.io; that service displays Antigonish conditions and links to Forecast7. The widget is hosted by that provider, so your browser makes a request to WeatherWidget.io and its embedded service may receive ordinary technical connection information. WeatherWidget.io says its embedded widget does not include its site analytics and does not collect, retain, or share data about users of other sites.
Read the provider's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for its current terms.
Podcast episode player
On podcast episode pages, pressing play streams the episode from the podcast's host, Substack, which may set its own cookies. Nothing is requested from Substack until you press play.
Reel Five
Reel Five stores a signed, unreadable progress record in this browser so a game can continue after a reload. It does not contain a name or contact information. If a player chooses to submit a score, the initials they enter, the score, and the played-day result are stored for the leaderboard.
When you send something
The contribution and contact forms store the message, any optional details, the way to reach you when you provide one, the time received, and the operator's handling record. A privacy or removal request requires a reply route because every such request receives an answer.
The event form stores the event details you enter, an optional reply route, and an optional image. Uploaded images are converted to a bounded web format before storage. The forms do not add an IP address, browser fingerprint, or reader account to the submitted record.
Information intended for publication may be edited for clarity and published after review. Contact details are for follow-up and are not published. The Reel keeps the submission and its handling record so the operator can review it, respond, and preserve the decision trail; this page does not promise an automatic deletion date.
Sponsorship
Paid material is selected and placed by the Reel, labelled Sponsored, and does not use an ad network. A sponsor does not receive reader identities and does not control editorial decisions.
Your request
To ask what the Reel holds about you, request a correction, or ask for removal, use the privacy or removal form. Leave a way to reply. A person will read and answer every request, without promising a particular outcome or turnaround time.
Changes
This page changes when the service's collection or handling changes.