Last updated: November 2, 2026
Who we are
OC Thrives (“we,” “us”) is a local community publication published by The Strategic Marketing Group (“tSMG”). This policy covers the OC Thrives website, our newsletter, and the forms on this site. Questions? Contact us.
Information we collect
- Form submissions. When you submit an event, nomination or message, we collect what you enter — such as your name, email, optional phone number, and the details of your submission.
- Newsletter. Newsletter subscriptions are handled by our newsletter platform (beehiiv) on its own pages. This website does not store subscriber lists. Your subscription is governed by that platform's privacy policy as well as this one.
- Newsletter engagement. Like most email newsletters, our newsletter platform records delivery and engagement information — such as whether an email was delivered or opened (using a small image, often called a tracking pixel) and which links were clicked (links may pass through a redirect). We use these totals to understand what readers find useful. Some email apps block or alter this tracking.
- Technical information. Like most websites, our hosting provider processes basic technical data (such as IP address and browser type) to deliver and secure the site. For spam prevention we store a one-way, non-reversible fingerprint of the IP address with form submissions, not the IP address itself.
- Cookies and local storage. We use necessary browser storage to remember your cookie choices. Optional analytics and marketing tools are off by default and load only if you opt in. The only optional tool currently active is Google Analytics 4 (analytics category), which loads only after you choose to allow analytics. No marketing tools are active.
How we use information
- To review, verify, follow up on and potentially publish your submissions.
- To respond to your messages and send a one-time confirmation that we received your submission.
- To send the newsletter you signed up for, including sponsored messages (see below).
- To manage your subscription, including honoring unsubscribe requests.
- To keep the site secure and prevent spam and abuse.
Your private contact details submitted through our forms are not published. We do not sell your personal information.
Newsletter, advertising and sponsors
OC Thrives is supported in part by local advertisers and sponsors. We may include sponsored advertisements in the newsletter, and we may occasionally send a separate sponsor email to subscribers ourselves. Sponsored content is labeled.
- Advertisers don't get your information from us. Advertisers and sponsors do not receive our subscriber list, subscriber email addresses, or the private details of your submissions from OC Thrives. We do not sell, rent or share them for anyone else's marketing. (For contest prize delivery, see “Contests, sweepstakes and giveaways” below.)
- Service providers. Companies that help us operate the publication — such as our newsletter platform (beehiiv), website hosting and database providers, and email delivery services — may process information for us under agreements, only as needed to run OC Thrives.
- When you visit an advertiser. If you click through to an advertiser's or sponsor's website and give them information there (for example, by filling out their form or making a purchase), that information goes directly to them and is governed by their privacy policy, not ours.
- Link tracking. Clicks on newsletter links may be counted by our newsletter platform, and the website you visit may use its own analytics, cookies or tracking. We don't control other websites' practices.
Unsubscribing
You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email. Unsubscribing stops newsletter and sponsor emails; we may still reply to any message you send us.
Email puzzles
Our optional newsletter puzzles are free entertainment only. The puzzles themselves have no entries, prizes, awards or winners, and you don't need to send us any personal information to play. If you choose to reply with an answer, your reply is treated like any other email to us. Contests and giveaways we may run separately are described below.
Contests, sweepstakes and giveaways
From time to time OC Thrives may offer promotions such as skill-based contests, holiday giveaways or sweepstakes (random prize drawings). Taking part is always voluntary. Each promotion has its own Official Rules, linked from its entry form, which explain who may enter (including age and location), the start and end dates, how to enter, how winners are chosen (and, for drawings, the odds and that no purchase is necessary), the prizes and their approximate value, the sponsor, and how winners are announced.
- What we ask for. The entry form will say exactly what's required and why — usually your name and email, and sometimes a phone number, age confirmation or community to check eligibility. We collect only what the promotion needs. Where possible, we ask for a mailing address only from a selected winner, after we contact them.
- How we use it. To run the promotion, check eligibility, contact and verify winners, deliver prizes, and meet legal or tax obligations.
- Sponsors and prize partners. Sponsors do not automatically receive the list of entrants or subscribers. We share a winner's or entrant's details with a prize-fulfillment partner only when needed to deliver the prize and disclosed on the entry form, or when you separately choose to share them.
- Sponsor marketing is a separate choice. Any option to hear from a sponsor will be a separate, unchecked box. If you opt in, the sponsor's own privacy policy applies to how they use your information.
- Announcing winners. As described in the Official Rules, we may announce a winner's first name, last initial and city or community in the newsletter or on this site. We use a full name, photo, likeness, quote or social media tag only with the winner's separate permission — and, for minors, a parent or guardian's permission. We never publish a winner's email address, mailing address or phone number.
The Best of OC Thrives nominations and voting program is separate and follows its own rules.
Service providers
We rely on trusted providers to operate, including our website hosting and database provider, an email delivery provider for confirmations, our newsletter platform, Google Calendar for embedded calendars, and a third-party contest platform that may process votes and nominations for Best of OC Thrives. These providers process information on our behalf or under their own privacy policies when you use their services directly.
Retention
We keep submissions only as long as reasonably needed for editorial, record-keeping and security purposes, and then delete or anonymize them.
Your choices and rights
You may ask us to access, correct or delete personal information you've submitted, and you can change your cookie choices at any time using “Cookie Preferences” in the footer. California residents may have additional rights under California law, including the right to know, delete and correct personal information and to not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. To make a request, contact us; we may need to verify your identity.
If OC Thrives changes ownership
If OC Thrives or its publication assets are sold, merged, acquired or otherwise transferred, subscriber records and related information may be transferred to the new owner as part of that business. Any transfer will remain subject to applicable law and this policy's commitments, including your existing choices such as unsubscribes. If a new owner wants to use your information in a materially different way, you will receive notice and any choices required by law beforehand.
Children
Our site is intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. Nominations involving minors require a parent or guardian's consent.
Security
We use reasonable safeguards, including encrypted connections and access restrictions on stored submissions. No system is perfectly secure.
Changes
We may update this policy and will revise the “last updated” date above. Publisher: The Strategic Marketing Group.