Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 10, 2026
The Ripon Society (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website riponsociety.org. This privacy policy explains what information we collect when you visit our site or use our services, how we use that information, and your choices regarding your data.
Website Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site, including which pages are visited, how long visitors stay, and how they found us. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect this information in aggregate form. It does not personally identify individual visitors. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing Google’s browser opt-out add-on at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
We also use Burst Statistics, a privacy-focused analytics tool that runs directly on our server. Burst Statistics collects basic usage data and stores a single cookie (burst_uid) for up to one month to identify unique visitors. This data is not shared with third parties.
Email Newsletter
If you sign up for our mailing list, we collect your email address through a form that submits directly to Mailchimp, our email service provider. Mailchimp stores your email address and may track whether you open our emails and click links within them. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of any email you receive from us. Mailchimp’s privacy policy is available at https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy/.
Magazine Subscriptions
If you subscribe to the Ripon Forum, your payment is processed by Stripe. We do not store your credit card or payment information on our website — Stripe handles all payment data directly. During checkout, Stripe collects your name, email address, billing information, and shipping address. A summary of your subscription (name, address, subscription plan, and date) is transmitted to our team via Zapier and recorded in a private internal spreadsheet for fulfillment purposes. You can manage your subscription, update your payment method, or cancel through Stripe’s customer portal. Stripe’s privacy policy is available at https://stripe.com/privacy.
Site Search
If you use the search function on our site, your search queries are processed by Google Custom Search, which is subject to Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on your device by your web browser. Our site uses the following cookies:
Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _ga_*) track site usage in aggregate. These expire after 2 years.
Cloudflare cookies may be set by our content delivery network provider for security and performance purposes.
WordPress session cookies are set only when staff members log in to manage the site. These are not set for regular visitors.
YouTube cookies are set when pages contain embedded video content. These cookies are managed by Google and may be used to track video views and serve personalized content. Google’s privacy policy applies at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Burst Statistics (burst_uid) identifies unique visitors for privacy-focused analytics. Expires after one month.
IssueM (issuem_issue) is used to track which magazine issue is being viewed.
Most web browsers allow you to control or block cookies through their settings. Note that blocking cookies may affect certain site functionality.
Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services in the operation of our website. Each may collect data as described in their respective privacy policies:
- Google Analytics — website analytics — Google LLC — https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Mailchimp — email newsletters — The Rocket Science Group — https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy/
- Stripe — payment processing — Stripe, Inc. — https://stripe.com/privacy
- Google Custom Search — site search — Google LLC — https://policies.google.com/privacy
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.
Data Retention
Analytics data is retained according to Google Analytics’ default retention period. Email subscriber information is retained until you unsubscribe. Subscription and payment data is retained by Stripe according to their retention policies and by our team for fulfillment and record-keeping purposes.
Security of your personal information
We take reasonable measures to ensure that the information we collect from you is stored securely and protected to the best extent possible. However, no method of internet transmission or digital storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. While we use commercially reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect your information, we cannot promise that it will be 100% secure.
Your Choices
You may request access to the personal data we hold about you, request correction or deletion of your data, unsubscribe from our email list at any time using the link in any email, manage or cancel your Ripon Forum subscription through Stripe’s customer portal, and opt out of Google Analytics using Google’s browser add-on. To submit a request, email us at info@riponsociety.org.
Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.
Links to Other Sites
Our site contains links to other websites that are not owned or controlled by The Ripon Society. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such other sites.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us:
The Ripon Society
1155 15th Street NW
Suite 550
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.216.1008
Email: info@riponsociety.org