Effective date: April 18, 2025
1. Introduction
1.1 LawyersPost (“we,” “our,” or “us”) values and safeguards the privacy of every individual who accesses our website. This Privacy Policy is a legal statement that outlines the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, how we use that data, and what rights users have in connection with their data. It represents our ongoing commitment to legal transparency, ethical integrity, and global regulatory compliance in all data handling practices.
1.2 This policy is specifically designed to align with the most prominent data protection laws and frameworks worldwide, including but not limited to:
• the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) adopted by the European Union, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and individual rights in data processing;
• the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which grants residents of California specific rights relating to the access and control of their personal information;
• the Indian Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), which governs the lawful processing of personal data within India and regulates both fiduciaries and processors; and
• all applicable regional or sectoral privacy regimes where our users reside or where our systems interact with regulated data environments.
1.3 The scope of this Privacy Policy covers all visitors, subscribers, registered contributors, legal professionals, and other users of the Platform. By using our services, users signify that they have read, understood, and agreed to the data practices described herein. Users who do not consent to the provisions of this policy are advised to refrain from using the Platform or submitting personal data.
1.4 The core objectives of this Privacy Policy are to ensure that users are fully informed about:
• the specific categories of personal data collected;
• the means and sources through which such data is obtained;
• the lawful bases and intended uses of data processing;
• the identity and role of any third parties involved in data handling;
• the protective measures adopted to safeguard the data; and
• the legal rights and remedies available to users under global privacy laws.
2. Who We Are
2.1 LawyersPost is a digitally native legal journalism platform created and operated under the CourtCast initiative, yet maintaining complete operational independence. The Platform is driven by a mission to inform, engage, and empower members of the legal profession through timely legal reporting, expert commentary, and comprehensive legal resources. Although structurally linked to CourtCast for technological synergy, all data-related decisions, editorial oversight, and user interactions are independently governed by LawyersPost’s own policies and legal team.
2.2 For data protection purposes, LawyersPost is the data controller, meaning we are responsible for determining the purpose and means of processing personal information. We collect and process data solely in pursuit of editorial, functional, educational, or community engagement goals that directly align with our public interest mission.
2.3 Users may contact our privacy liaison for any inquiries regarding this policy or their personal data rights. While we do not appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) under statutory requirement, we designate a privacy authority internally to handle all such matters with diligence.
• Email: [email protected]
2.4 All requests sent to this email are reviewed by privacy-trained staff within a reasonable timeframe and handled in accordance with applicable jurisdictional requirements, including any specific timeframes for response under the GDPR (30 days), CCPA (45 days), or DPDP (reasonable period, to be notified).
3. What Information We Collect
3.1 LawyersPost collects and processes a broad range of personal data categories in order to operate efficiently and deliver personalized, legally accurate, and timely content to its users. This includes:
a. Identification and Contact Data – such as name, email address, academic credentials, and job title, submitted via newsletter forms, contributor bios, feedback channels, or contact forms.
b. Device and Technical Data – including user IP addresses, browser type, operating system, time zone setting, platform specifications, device type, and connection type. These help ensure compatibility and accessibility across various systems.
c. Behavioral and Usage Data – encompassing the frequency and pattern of user visits, session durations, article engagement, comment submissions, and scrolling/click-through behaviors, often tracked via third-party analytical tools.
d. Communications Data – includes the content of messages sent through on-site forms, user-submitted tips or editorial feedback, complaint submissions, and legal inquiries from practitioners or readers.
e. Cookies and Tracking Technologies – used to collect persistent identifiers, session tokens, geolocation approximations, and preferences related to viewing modes, article saving, or alert settings.
3.2 The categories of data collected may vary depending on the user’s role (e.g., subscriber, reader, contributor), the nature of their interaction with the Platform, and whether the interaction was initiated voluntarily (e.g., form submission) or passively (e.g., web beacons).
3.3 Importantly, we do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from individuals under the age of sixteen (16). Any accidental collection of such information will be rectified upon detection or user notification, in accordance with applicable child data protection statutes.
4. How We Collect Information
4.1 LawyersPost collects personal data through multiple lawful channels and technologies that are clearly identified to users either through user interfaces or through this policy. The specific means of collection include:
a. Direct Collection Methods – Data voluntarily provided by users through: i. newsletter sign-up forms hosted directly on the Platform; ii. submission of contact forms for feedback, legal inquiries, or editorial suggestions; iii. contribution portals for legal writers and subject matter experts; iv. user registration for events, roundtables, or resource downloads.
b. Automated Collection Methods – Information gathered using scripts, application logs, and analytic agents, including: i. real-time server logs recording time of access, device agent, and referrer URL; ii. JavaScript-based session monitoring tools capturing interaction heatmaps; iii. cookie identifiers used for recognizing returning visitors and segmenting users by reading patterns; iv. error logs or crash reports that help diagnose user-side loading or browsing issues.
c. Third-Party Collection Tools – Used to enhance platform functionality and content relevance, including: i. Google Analytics, which generates aggregate behavioral reports based on anonymous data; ii. embedded third-party tools such as Disqus (for comment moderation) or social plugins that may independently collect user meta-data; iii. email campaign software that tracks open rates, link clicks, and unsubscribes.
4.2 Users are given the opportunity to opt out of certain types of automated data collection (e.g., cookie tracking), especially where legally mandated (as under GDPR), and will be informed of such choices through a cookie banner or account settings, as applicable.
5. Legal Bases for Processing
5.1 LawyersPost ensures that all personal data collected is processed in accordance with a recognized lawful basis under international data protection regulations. These legal bases include:
a. Consent – Where users explicitly affirm their agreement, such as by: i. opting in to receive email updates or newsletters; ii. submitting personal information for the purpose of contributing content; iii. accepting the use of non-essential cookies through a consent prompt.
b. Contractual Necessity – Where data processing is essential to fulfill an agreement with the user, such as: i. enabling a contributor to have an author page and profile; ii. communicating with users about legal submissions or editorial timelines; iii. processing attendance to webinars or virtual events.
c. Compliance with Legal Obligations – Where processing is required by applicable laws, such as: i. retaining records of contributor agreements under intellectual property law; ii. producing logs or user data in response to court orders or legal demands; iii. fulfilling recordkeeping mandates under Indian IT regulations or EU publishing laws.
d. Legitimate Interests – Where processing serves a legitimate editorial, technical, or business function, such as: i. analyzing traffic to optimize server load balancing; ii. monitoring editorial content engagement to improve quality; iii. preventing spam, fraud, or unauthorized activity on the Platform; iv. conducting academic-style research on legal media consumption trends.
5.2 In cases where processing is based on our legitimate interests, users retain the right to object to such processing where it infringes on their fundamental rights and freedoms. We assess each objection on a case-by-case basis and provide a written justification for any refusal to act.
6. Use of Personal Information
6.1 LawyersPost utilizes personal data exclusively for purposes that are essential to the mission and operations of the Platform. The data is used to:
a. Deliver Core Services – such as publishing relevant legal content to subscribers, generating topic alerts, and delivering legal templates or tools.
b. Enable Editorial Operations – including vetting contributors, communicating with legal professionals, and moderating or showcasing comments and guest opinions.
c. Support User Experience and Technical Efficiency – by using interaction data to optimize layout, minimize load times, and tailor content feeds to device formats.
d. Maintain Legal and Regulatory Compliance – such as preserving necessary email correspondence and form submissions for dispute resolution, litigation readiness, or audit trails.
e. Generate Metrics and Insights – including real-time and historical data sets on user traffic, region-wise interest, scroll depth, and content-specific popularity for editorial reporting and platform performance reviews.
6.2 We explicitly do not use personal data for automated profiling, behavioral advertising, or AI-driven prediction models. Nor do we rely on third-party ad networks or data brokers, ensuring that our content remains independent and that user privacy is not compromised through commercialization.
7. Cookies and Analytics
7.1 LawyersPost uses cookies, tracking pixels, and similar technologies as part of its effort to understand, improve, and tailor the user experience. These technologies help us gain aggregated insights into how readers interact with the Platform and allow us to maintain technical reliability, editorial accuracy, and optimal speed.
a. Types of Cookies Employed on the Platform
i. Essential Cookies – Required for the Platform to operate. These cookies manage session authentication, load balancing, and comment functionality. They cannot be disabled without disrupting site functionality.
ii. Performance Cookies – Used to measure performance indicators such as article load time, bounce rate, and session retention. These metrics assist in backend optimization and editorial adjustments.
iii. Functional Cookies – Remember user choices such as language preferences, mobile or desktop display formats, and previously accessed content for resumption continuity.
iv. Analytics Cookies – Set by Google Analytics and similar tools to track behavioral patterns in anonymized form, including click rates, scroll depth, and content revisit frequency.
b. Google Analytics Specifics
i. We use Google Analytics to create anonymized usage reports for internal editorial strategy purposes. This data includes device type, browser version, session duration, and general location (city or country).
ii. No personal identifiers such as names, emails, or IP addresses are visible to us through this service in a personally traceable format.
iii. Users can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the browser add-on available at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
c. User Control and Consent Management
i. Where required by law, such as under GDPR and ePrivacy regulations, we display a cookie consent banner upon the user’s first visit, offering opt-in or opt-out choices for non-essential cookies.
ii. Users may manage cookie settings via their browser tools, including deleting cookies after sessions or disabling third-party scripts.
8. Data Sharing and Third Parties
8.1 LawyersPost does not engage in the sale, lease, or barter of personal data to advertisers, marketers, or brokers. We limit data sharing to trusted service providers and lawful authorities where necessary for functional continuity or legal compliance.
a. Authorized Service Providers
i. Hosting partners who provide secure cloud infrastructure and perform regular data backup functions.
ii. Email distribution services responsible for dispatching newsletters or alerts to consenting subscribers.
iii. Platform security vendors tasked with intrusion detection, denial-of-service protection, and access throttling.
iv. Analytical service partners such as Google, which receive anonymized usage data strictly for reporting.
b. Disclosure to Government or Legal Authorities
i. Personal data may be disclosed where required by subpoena, warrant, judicial order, or other legally binding requests.
ii. We evaluate each request to ensure that it is lawful, proportionate, and clearly scoped before releasing any data.
iii. Wherever possible, we notify users in advance of any such disclosure unless legally prohibited.
c. Internal Data Access Protocols
i. Only designated team members with a defined operational need may access user data, and only under a documented purpose.
ii. Such access is governed by confidentiality agreements and monitored using audit trails and session logs.
8.2 All service providers are engaged under Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) or similar legally binding contracts requiring them to protect personal information in accordance with international best practices.
9. International Data Transfers
9.1 LawyersPost operates a digital infrastructure that may involve storage or processing of data in countries outside of the user’s country of residence, including jurisdictions such as the United States and member states of the European Union.
a. Cross-Border Processing Activities
i. Analytics data processed by Google Analytics is transmitted to and stored on servers primarily located in the United States.
ii. Backups and replication services may also result in data residing on geographically distributed data centers hosted by our cloud provider.
b. Legal Mechanisms for Compliance
i. Where such transfers are made, we use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission or equivalent legal tools.
ii. Data encryption, pseudonymization, access control, and minimum retention practices are part of our transfer risk mitigation strategy.
c. User Acknowledgement and Rights
i. By using our Platform, users acknowledge that their data may be transferred to jurisdictions with differing levels of data protection.
ii. Users retain the right to request additional information on transfer safeguards and may object to certain transfers where permissible under law.
10. Data Retention
10.1 LawyersPost retains personal data only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to satisfy legal, regulatory, or editorial obligations, or for the resolution of disputes or enforcement of our terms.
a. Subscription and Communication Data
i. Email addresses and related data provided through newsletter forms or direct contact will be retained until the user unsubscribes or becomes inactive for a continuous period of twenty-four (24) months.
ii. Feedback and form submissions that do not require retention beyond editorial evaluation are deleted within twelve (12) months.
b. Contributor and Editorial Records
i. Contributor names, biographies, and contact details are retained for the life of their article or feature, and for up to ten (10) years thereafter for archival, citation, or legal reference.
ii. If a contributor requests anonymization or pseudonymization post-publication, we evaluate the request subject to editorial ethics, defamation concerns, and any binding contracts.
c. Analytical and Log Data
i. Non-personal usage data collected via analytics tools such as Google Analytics is retained for twenty-six (26) months by default.
ii. Server-side access logs may be maintained for a rolling twelve (12) month period for cybersecurity analysis, system performance, and abuse tracking.
10.2 Upon expiration of applicable retention periods, data is either:
• securely erased using file destruction protocols;
• anonymized for statistical or research use; or
• archived in a restricted-access format for legal necessity.
11. Your Rights
11.1 Depending on your jurisdiction and the applicable data protection law, you may have one or more of the following rights in relation to your personal data:
a. Right to Access – You may request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and request a copy of that data in a structured and readable format.
b. Right to Rectification – You have the right to correct any inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information that we hold about you.
c. Right to Erasure (“Right to Be Forgotten”) – Under certain conditions, such as when data is no longer needed, unlawfully processed, or based on withdrawn consent, you may request deletion.
d. Right to Restrict Processing – You may request that we restrict the processing of your data temporarily or permanently in specific scenarios, such as when accuracy is contested.
e. Right to Object – You may object to processing carried out based on legitimate interests, including profiling, unless we demonstrate compelling grounds to continue.
f. Right to Data Portability – Where applicable, you may request that your data be transmitted to another service provider in a machine-readable format.
g. Right to Withdraw Consent – If your data was collected based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting prior lawful processing.
11.2 To exercise any of the above rights, please contact us at:
• Email: [email protected]
11.3 We may require additional verification to confirm your identity before fulfilling your request. Requests that are excessive, repetitive, or clearly unfounded may be lawfully denied or subject to a reasonable administrative fee.
12. Children’s Privacy
12.1 The Platform is not designed for or directed at individuals under the age of sixteen (16). We do not knowingly collect, store, or process data from children or minors without verifiable parental consent.
12.2 If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a child without such consent, we will act promptly to delete such information from our systems and take steps to prevent further access.
• Contact for urgent removal requests: [email protected]
12.3 We do not display advertisements, content prompts, or interactive features that are targeted specifically at children. Additionally, our Platform avoids the use of gamification, manipulative design patterns, or data capture mechanisms that may unduly influence minor users.
13. Data Security
13.1 LawyersPost employs a comprehensive security program that includes physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal information.
a. Technical Controls
i. All data is transmitted using HTTPS encryption.
ii. Files and databases are encrypted at rest using strong cryptographic algorithms.
iii. Firewall rules and rate-limiting measures are implemented to protect against unauthorized access and brute-force attacks.
b. Administrative and Organizational Controls
i. Only authorized staff with role-based access controls are permitted to handle sensitive data.
ii. All employees undergo periodic data protection training and are bound by confidentiality obligations.
c. Breach Notification and Response
i. In the event of a data breach involving personal data, LawyersPost shall notify affected users and appropriate supervisory authorities in accordance with applicable laws, such as within 72 hours under GDPR.
ii. Notifications shall include the nature of the breach, categories of data affected, and recommended mitigation steps for users.
14. Third-Party Links
14.1 The Platform may contain links to third-party websites, services, or embedded tools which are not owned or operated by LawyersPost. These links are provided strictly for reference or citation purposes.
14.2 LawyersPost does not control and is not responsible for the content, terms, or privacy policies of these third-party websites. Accessing such websites is entirely at the user’s discretion and risk.
14.3 We encourage users to review the privacy policies of all external websites before disclosing any personal data. We disclaim liability for any harm, unauthorized use, or data breaches that may occur as a result of interactions with external platforms.
15. Policy Updates
15.1 This Privacy Policy may be revised periodically to reflect changes in applicable laws, evolving best practices, or internal modifications to our data processing activities.
15.2 Minor changes will be reflected through updates to this page, while material changes will be communicated via banners, pop-up notices, or email (where available).
15.3 Each version will include the date of revision at the top of the document. For archived versions, historical change logs, or further clarifications regarding prior policies, users may contact:
• Email: [email protected]
15.4 Continued use of the Platform after the posting of revised policies constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of the updated terms. Users are encouraged to review this page regularly.