Privacy Policy
Last updated: Sep 24, 2026
Overview
This policy explains what information is and is not collected when you visit. The short version: we run no user accounts, and we never sell data.
Information we do not collect
We do not ask you to register or log in. We do not collect names, email addresses, phone numbers or any other personal details.
Information stored in your browser
Your theme choice (light or dark) is saved in your browser local storage so the site remembers it next time.
To keep article view counts meaningful, a marker is kept in session storage so that opening the same story repeatedly within one browser session is not double-counted. Session storage is cleared automatically when you close your browser.
In addition, our analytics tools store random identifiers in cookies or local storage so that the pages viewed during one visit can be grouped into an anonymous session. These identifiers do not reveal who you are, and you can clear them at any time in your browser settings.
Aggregated statistics
We count how many times each story is opened. These are anonymous totals only: no IP addresses, device identifiers or user profiles are stored with them.
Our content delivery provider (Cloudflare) processes standard technical request data, such as IP addresses, to deliver pages and protect the site against abuse, as any web server does. This data is not used to build profiles about you.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used, for example which stories are read and where visitors come from. It is provided by Google; its data processing is described in the Google Privacy Policy.
We also use Microsoft Clarity to understand how visitors use the site, through heatmaps and anonymized session recordings. Recordings mask input fields and are not linked to names or contact details.
Clarity is provided by Microsoft; its data processing is described in the Microsoft Privacy Statement. If you prefer not to be tracked, you can block the googletagmanager.com and clarity.ms scripts with any content-blocking browser extension or by disabling JavaScript for them.
Children
HotNews is a general-audience news publication and is not directed at children under 13.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the site evolves. The date shown on this page always reflects the current version.
Contact
Questions about privacy can be sent to [email protected].