PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: August 1, 2026
Last Updated: August 18, 2026

The American Quorum is operated by 1693 Scholars, LLC, doing business as The American Quorum (“The American Quorum,” “TAQ,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect personal information when you visit TheAmericanQuorum.com, subscribe to newsletters, establish an account, purchase or manage a membership, use audio features, submit material, participate in comments or editorial opportunities, contact us, or otherwise interact with services linking to this Privacy Policy (collectively, the “Services”).

1. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information processed by TAQ through the Services.

It does not govern independent third-party websites, platforms, payment services, social networks, or other services that maintain their own privacy practices.

2. Information You Provide

Depending upon how you interact with TAQ, we may collect information you voluntarily provide, including:

· name;

· email address;

· profile information;

· billing address;

· postal code;

· membership selection;

· newsletter preferences;

· communications with TAQ;

· support inquiries;

· comments;

· survey responses;

· article ideas;

· contributor applications;

· submitted articles;

· photographs;

· biographies;

· professional titles;

· professional affiliations;

· conflict-of-interest disclosures;

· social-media information;

· editorial correspondence; and

· other information you voluntarily provide.

3. Membership and Transaction Information

When you purchase or manage a membership, we may receive information such as:

· membership tier;

· subscription status;

· transaction date;

· renewal date;

· cancellation status;

· billing interval;

· amount paid;

· payment status;

· transaction identifiers;

· limited billing information; and

· customer-service history.

Payment-card information is processed by our payment provider, including Stripe.

TAQ generally does not receive or store your complete payment-card number.

4. Device, Technical, and Usage Information

When you use the Services, TAQ or its service providers may collect information including:

· IP address;

· browser type;

· device type;

· operating system;

· approximate geographic location derived from network information;

· pages viewed;

· articles read;

· links clicked;

· referring source;

· date and time of activity;

· membership status;

· newsletter interactions;

· login and authentication activity;

· diagnostic information; and

· other usage information.

5. Ghost Publishing and Membership Technology

TAQ uses Ghost technology for functions that may include:

· publishing;

· membership management;

· account authentication;

· newsletters;

· comments;

· subscriptions;

· content access; and

· analytics.

Information entered through membership, signup, subscription, account, and newsletter features may therefore be processed through the systems supporting those functions.

6. Analytics

TAQ may use first-party analytics to understand how readers and members interact with our journalism and Services.

Depending upon the functionality enabled, this may include information about:

· page views;

· content engagement;

· audience type;

· referral sources;

· readership;

· membership growth; and

· newsletter performance.

When you are logged in as a member, analytics may associate content engagement with your membership account where the platform provides that functionality.

We may also use third-party analytics tools in the future or where otherwise disclosed.

7. How We Use Personal Information

We may use personal information to:

· operate the Services;

· provide journalism and newsletters;

· create and maintain accounts;

· authenticate members;

· provide paid membership access;

· manage subscription billing;

· process renewals;

· process cancellations;

· send receipts and service notices;

· respond to support requests;

· personalize or improve the reader experience;

· understand readership;

· measure Content performance;

· understand membership growth;

· moderate comments;

· administer member communities;

· administer Member Perspective Opportunities;

· review contributor submissions;

· fact-check and edit submitted material;

· communicate with sources and contributors;

· publish accepted editorial material;

· prevent fraud;

· maintain security;

· enforce our agreements;

· comply with law;

· establish, exercise, or defend legal claims;

· maintain accounting and business records;

· develop new products or features;

· market TAQ memberships or products as permitted by law; and

· carry out purposes disclosed when information is collected.

8. Email Communications

If you subscribe, register, purchase a membership, or request communications, we may send:

· newsletters;

· editorial updates;

· membership information;

· account notices;

· product information; and

· other communications consistent with your choices and applicable law.

You may unsubscribe from editorial or marketing email through the unsubscribe link provided in those messages.

Unsubscribing from a newsletter does not necessarily stop transactional communications necessary to operate your membership, including:

· authentication emails;

· receipts;

· renewal notices;

· billing communications;

· payment-failure notices;

· cancellation confirmations;

· security alerts; and

· account-service messages.

Unsubscribing from email does not cancel a paid membership.

9. Payments

TAQ uses third-party payment providers, including Stripe.

Payment providers may process information necessary to:

· authorize transactions;

· process recurring charges;

· manage payment methods;

· prevent fraud;

· administer refunds where applicable; and

· comply with legal obligations.

Their independent processing may also be governed by their own privacy terms.

10. Cookies and Similar Technologies

TAQ and service providers may use technologies such as:

· cookies;

· local storage;

· pixels;

· tags; and

· similar technologies

where necessary or appropriate.

These technologies may support:

Essential Functions

· authentication;

· security;

· account access;

· fraud prevention; and

· subscription functionality.

Analytics

· readership measurement;

· referral measurement;

· engagement analysis; and

· website performance.

Preferences

· remembering user selections or functionality.

Advertising or Marketing

If TAQ implements advertising, marketing, conversion measurement, affiliate services, or other technologies that require additional tracking, those services may collect information in accordance with their own functionality and applicable law.

Where consent is legally required before use of a nonessential technology, TAQ will seek such consent.

11. Member Perspective Information

If you participate in a Member Perspective Opportunity, TAQ may collect and use:

· your name;

· professional title;

· organization;

· biography;

· location;

· statements;

· quotations;

· correspondence;

· relevant professional information;

· photographs;

· recordings, where properly obtained;

· background information; and

· supporting material you provide.

Information intended for attribution may be published as part of TAQ journalism.

Do not provide information you expect to remain confidential unless TAQ has expressly agreed to confidential treatment.

12. Contributor Information

If you purchase a contributor membership, apply to contribute, or submit material for editorial consideration, TAQ may collect:

· identity information;

· contact information;

· biography;

· professional affiliations;

· credentials;

· article pitches;

· story ideas;

· manuscripts;

· drafts;

· editorial correspondence;

· revisions;

· source information;

· research;

· conflict-of-interest disclosures;

· AI-use disclosures;

· supporting documents;

· photographs;

· publication history; and

· other information relevant to editorial review.

We may use this information to:

· evaluate submissions;

· verify information;

· fact-check;

· communicate with the contributor;

· conduct editorial review;

· conduct legal review;

· edit Content;

· publish accepted material;

· identify authors;

· promote published journalism;

· maintain editorial records; and

· protect TAQ’s legal and editorial interests.

Contributor-related records may be retained after a submission is rejected or after a contributor relationship ends where reasonably necessary for legitimate editorial, legal, business, security, or recordkeeping purposes.

13. Sources and Sensitive Editorial Communications

Ordinary website forms, membership messages, comments, and general email should not be assumed to constitute secure or confidential source-communication channels.

A person seeking confidential source treatment should make appropriate arrangements with TAQ before transmitting highly sensitive material.

Nothing in this Privacy Policy waives any:

· reporter’s privilege;

· shield-law protection;

· First Amendment right;

· journalistic privilege;

· editorial protection; or

· other newsgathering right available to TAQ.

14. Sensitive Personal Information

TAQ generally does not require highly sensitive information from ordinary subscribers.

Please do not send information such as:

· Social Security numbers;

· passport numbers;

· government identification numbers;

· complete financial-account credentials;

· passwords;

· biometric templates;

· private medical records;

· or other highly sensitive information

unless TAQ specifically requests it for a legitimate and appropriate purpose.

Journalistic sources may voluntarily provide sensitive information in connection with reporting.

15. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Technology

TAQ may use artificial-intelligence or automated technology in functions such as:

· transcription;

· translation;

· audio narration;

· organization;

· tagging;

· search;

· editorial assistance;

· accessibility;

· analytics;

· fraud detection; and

· security.

Where third-party providers process personal information on TAQ’s behalf, TAQ may disclose information reasonably necessary for the applicable function, subject to appropriate legal and operational safeguards where required.

16. When We May Disclose Information

TAQ may disclose information to the following categories of recipients.

Service Providers

Providers supporting functions such as:

· publishing;

· hosting;

· payment processing;

· email delivery;

· analytics;

· cloud infrastructure;

· cybersecurity;

· fraud prevention;

· technical support;

· content delivery;

· accounting; and

· business operations.

Professional Advisers

Information may be shared where reasonably appropriate with:

· attorneys;

· accountants;

· auditors;

· insurers;

· consultants; and

· other professional advisers.

Legal and Safety Purposes

TAQ may disclose information when reasonably believed necessary to:

· comply with law;

· respond to lawful process;

· respond to a valid subpoena or court order;

· investigate fraud;

· investigate security incidents;

· enforce agreements;

· protect legal rights;

· protect users;

· protect TAQ; or

· establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

Business Transactions

Information may be disclosed or transferred in connection with:

· merger;

· acquisition;

· financing;

· restructuring;

· sale of assets;

· bankruptcy;

· reorganization; or

· a similar business transaction.

At Your Direction

We may disclose information when you direct, request, or consent to the disclosure.

17. Public Information

Information you voluntarily make public through:

· comments;

· contributor bylines;

· published quotations;

· public profiles; or

· similar features

may be visible to others and may be copied, indexed, searched, quoted, or redistributed by third parties.

Do not publicly provide information you do not want made public.

TAQ does not sell personal information for money.

Some privacy laws define “sale” or “sharing” more broadly and may classify certain advertising or marketing disclosures as sales, sharing, or targeted advertising.

If TAQ engages in processing that creates a statutory opt-out right, TAQ will provide the applicable mechanism as required by law.

19. Global Privacy Control

Where applicable law requires recognition of a valid universal opt-out mechanism, such as Global Privacy Control, TAQ will process qualifying signals as required by applicable law.

20. Aggregated and De-Identified Information

TAQ may create aggregated, statistical, or de-identified information that is not reasonably linked to an identifiable person.

We may use or disclose such information for lawful:

· editorial;

· analytical;

· research;

· security; and

· business purposes.

21. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and for legitimate editorial, legal, business, security, and operational purposes.

Relevant considerations may include:

· account status;

· subscription status;

· transaction records;

· tax obligations;

· legal requirements;

· fraud-prevention needs;

· editorial records;

· contributor records;

· source relationships;

· dispute-resolution needs; and

· applicable statutes of limitation.

When information is no longer reasonably necessary, we may delete, anonymize, or de-identify it subject to applicable legal and operational requirements.

22. Security

TAQ uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures appropriate to the information being processed.

No website, database, electronic transmission, email system, or internet-connected service can be guaranteed completely secure.

If you believe your TAQ account or information has been compromised, contact us promptly.

23. Your Privacy Rights

Depending upon where you reside and which privacy laws apply, you may possess rights including:

· confirming whether we process your information;

· accessing personal information;

· receiving a copy of information;

· correcting inaccurate information;

· requesting deletion;

· requesting portability;

· opting out of certain sales;

· opting out of certain sharing;

· opting out of targeted advertising;

· opting out of certain profiling;

· withdrawing consent where applicable;

· restricting certain processing;

· objecting to certain processing; and

· appealing certain privacy-request decisions.

Rights vary by jurisdiction and may be subject to exceptions.

24. Exercising Privacy Rights

To submit a privacy request, contact:

privacy@theamericanquorum.com

Please identify:

· your name;

· the email associated with your account;

· your state or country of residence; and

· the right you wish to exercise.

TAQ may need to verify your identity.

Where legally permitted, an authorized agent may make a request on another person’s behalf, subject to appropriate verification.

25. Non-Discrimination

Where required by applicable law, TAQ will not unlawfully discriminate against a person for exercising a privacy right.

Different pricing or benefits associated with voluntarily selected membership tiers do not themselves constitute discrimination for exercising a privacy right.

26. California Residents

If applicable California privacy law applies to TAQ’s processing, California residents may possess rights that include:

· access;

· knowledge of categories collected;

· correction;

· deletion;

· information about qualifying disclosures;

· opting out of sale or sharing;

· limiting certain uses of sensitive personal information where applicable; and

· non-discrimination.

TAQ does not sell personal information for monetary consideration.

Where California law treats qualifying advertising activity as a sale or sharing, TAQ will provide applicable rights and opt-out mechanisms as required.

27. Residents of Other U.S. States

Residents of states with applicable comprehensive privacy laws may possess additional rights regarding:

· access;

· correction;

· deletion;

· portability;

· targeted advertising;

· sale of personal data; and

· certain profiling.

Where applicable law provides an appeal right, you may appeal a denied privacy request by contacting privacy@theamericanquorum.com and identifying the request as an appeal.

28. European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and Similar Jurisdictions

Where applicable data-protection law requires a lawful basis for processing, TAQ may rely upon:

Contract

Where necessary to:

· create an account;

· deliver a membership;

· administer a subscription;

· authenticate access; or

· provide requested Services.

Legitimate Interests

Where appropriate to:

· operate TAQ;

· improve the Services;

· understand readership;

· maintain security;

· prevent fraud;

· administer editorial operations;

· maintain records; and

· protect legal interests.

Where consent is required for activities such as certain marketing communications or nonessential tracking.

Legal Obligation

Where processing is necessary to comply with applicable law.

Applicable rights may include:

· access;

· rectification;

· erasure;

· restriction;

· portability;

· objection;

· withdrawal of consent; and

· complaint to an appropriate supervisory authority.

29. International Transfers

TAQ is operated from the United States.

Information may be processed or stored in the United States or other jurisdictions where TAQ or its service providers operate.

Where applicable law requires safeguards for international data transfers, appropriate lawful mechanisms will be used.

30. Children’s Privacy

The Services are not directed to children under 13.

TAQ does not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 in circumstances prohibited by applicable law.

If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information, contact privacy@theamericanquorum.com.

31. External Websites and Embedded Services

TAQ Content may contain:

· third-party links;

· embedded audio;

· embedded video;

· social-media features;

· advertisements;

· third-party images; or

· other external services.

Those parties may independently collect information.

Their processing is governed by their own privacy policies rather than this Privacy Policy.

32. Journalism and Legal Rights

Nothing in this Privacy Policy:

· limits lawful newsgathering;

· creates confidentiality where none otherwise exists;

· creates a promise to publish or suppress information;

· waives First Amendment protections;

· waives reporter’s privilege;

· waives shield-law protections;

· waives editorial privileges;

· waives defenses or exemptions available under privacy law; or

· prevents TAQ from retaining information reasonably necessary to establish, exercise, or defend legal rights.

33. Changes to This Privacy Policy

TAQ may update this Privacy Policy as its Services, technology, vendors, or legal obligations change.

The “Last Updated” date identifies the current version.

Where applicable law requires additional notice or consent, TAQ will provide it.

34. Contact

The American Quorum
1693 Scholars, LLC

Privacy Email: privacy@theamericanquorum.com
Mailing Address: 1693Scholars, LLC, 30 N Gould St, Ste N, Sheridan, WY 82801