Trust is the most valuable currency in journalism, and protecting your data is where that trust begins. GroundLens is committed to ensuring that the digital footprint you leave while engaging with our news remains secure. Whether you are a casual reader or a source providing sensitive information, our protocols are designed to minimize risk.
Data Collection and Purpose
We collect information that helps us improve our reporting and understand the civic issues most relevant to our audience. This includes basic engagement metrics and volunteer-submitted contact information for those joining our reporter network. Every piece of data is handled with the intent to serve the public interest and maintain the integrity of our network.
Protecting Sources and Anonymity
For many of our contributors, anonymity is not a preference but a necessity for personal safety. GroundLens utilizes encrypted channels for sensitive submissions and ensures that identifying details are only accessible to authorized editorial staff. We do not sell your personal data to third-party marketers or advertisers.
Third Party Technical Links
Our website may contain links to external sites, local government portals, or civic databases. While we provide these for your convenience and deeper research, GroundLens does not control the privacy practices of these external entities. We encourage users to remain vigilant and review the policies of any third-party site they visit.