Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 12, 2026

1. Introduction

Merkos 302, a Division of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch (“we,” “us,” or “our”), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at news.merkos302.com (the “Site”), subscribe to our communications, or otherwise interact with us.

Merkos 302 acts as the data controller for personal information collected through this Site unless otherwise specified.

Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Site. We may update this policy from time to time; we will notify you of material changes and obtain your consent where required.

2. Use of Google Services

Our Site uses certain Google services, which may include Google Analytics, Google Sign-In, Google reCAPTCHA, YouTube embeds, and Google Maps. By using our Site, you acknowledge that these services may collect and process data in accordance with Google’s privacy policies.

What Google Data We Access

When you use features on our Site powered by Google (such as signing in with a Google account, or submitting forms protected by reCAPTCHA), we may receive certain information from Google, including:

• Your name and email address (if you use Google Sign-In)

• Usage and interaction data collected by Google Analytics (anonymized)

• Device type, browser type, and IP address (for analytics and security purposes)

Why We Request This Data

We request Google user data only to the extent necessary to provide the features you use on our Site—such as authenticating your identity, protecting our forms from spam and abuse, or improving our Site based on aggregate analytics.

We do not use Google user data for advertising, profiling, or any secondary purpose not described in this policy.

How We Use Google User Data

Your use of data obtained via Google services is governed by the following principles, consistent with the Google API Services User Data Policy:

• Data is used only to provide or improve user-facing features visible on our Site.

• We do not transfer, sell, or share Google user data with advertising platforms, data brokers, or information resellers.

• We do not use Google user data to serve personalized advertising or for retargeting.

• We do not use Google user data to determine creditworthiness or for lending purposes.

• We do not allow employees, agents, or contractors to access Google user data except where necessary for security, legal compliance, or to provide a service you requested.

Data obtained through Google APIs is never used for advertising, marketing profiling, or resale to third parties.

If we intend to use Google user data for any purpose not originally disclosed here, we will update this policy and seek your consent before doing so.

Minimum Data Collection

We request only the minimum permissions necessary to deliver our services. We do not request permissions for features not yet implemented.

3. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you voluntarily interact with our Site—such as subscribing to our newsletter, making a donation, registering for a program, or sending feedback—we may collect:

• Name and email address

• Mailing address and phone or mobile number

• Payment information (processed securely by our payment processor; we do not store full card numbers)

• Demographic information such as zip code

• Names and email addresses of individuals you choose to share content with (such as greeting cards or shared articles)

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address and approximate geographic location

• Browser type and version

• Operating system

• Pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs

• Cookie and tracking data

Our Site does not automatically collect personally identifiable information such as email addresses unless you voluntarily provide it through forms or other interactions.

Information from Third-Party Services

If you interact with third-party features on our Site (such as Google Sign-In), we may receive profile data from those services as described above.

We will only access the data those services make available to us and only for the purposes described in this policy.

Information We Do Not Collect

We do not collect sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, government-issued identification numbers, biometric identifiers, or precise location data through this Site.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide services you request, including newsletter delivery, program registration, and donation processing

• To communicate with you about events, programs, and organizational updates

• To confirm donations, registrations, or other transactions

• To send greeting cards or shared articles on your behalf

• To analyze and improve Site performance, design, and user experience

• To protect the security and integrity of our Site

• To comply with applicable legal obligations

From time to time we may send communications about programs, updates, or opportunities to support our work. These communications are sent only to users who have subscribed to our mailing list or otherwise provided their contact information.

Information obtained through Google Sign-In or other Google services is not used for fundraising or marketing emails.

We will never send unsolicited spam. All communications we send are related to services, programs, updates, or other information you have requested or reasonably expect from interacting with our organization.

Where applicable, we process personal information based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

• Your consent

• The need to perform services you request

• Compliance with legal obligations

• Our legitimate interests in operating and improving our Site and services

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, swap, or share personal information with external organizations for their own marketing purposes.

We may share information in the following limited circumstances.

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted vendors who assist us in operating our Site and delivering services, including:

• Payment processors

• Email and newsletter platform providers

• SMS messaging platform providers and phone carriers

• Analytics providers (including Google Analytics)

• Website hosting and technology providers

These providers may store and process personal information on our behalf solely for the purpose of delivering the services they provide to us.

SMS Opt-In Data

We will not share SMS opt-in or consent status with any third party for purposes unrelated to providing messaging services.

SMS opt-in data may be shared only with service providers and phone carriers necessary to deliver messages.

Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with third parties for unrelated purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental authority.

Business Transfers

If our organization undergoes a merger, acquisition, or asset transfer, personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. Users will be notified before any such transfer occurs.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed or stored in the United States or other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. By using our Site, you consent to these transfers.

With Your Consent

We may share information with third parties when you explicitly authorize us to do so.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Site uses cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience and analyze Site usage.

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites function properly.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential cookies
Required for the Site to function properly.

Analytics cookies
Used to understand how visitors interact with the Site.

Functional cookies
Used to remember preferences and settings.

Cookies may also help deliver content relevant to your interests or geographic location.

Third-Party Cookies

Third-party services such as Google Analytics, YouTube, or reCAPTCHA may set their own cookies.

Your Cookie Choices

You may refuse or delete cookies by adjusting your browser settings.

Disabling cookies may affect certain Site functionality.

You may also opt out of Google Analytics tracking using Google's browser add-on.

Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers may transmit Do Not Track signals. Because there is no consistent industry standard for responding to such signals, our Site currently does not respond to them.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy or as required by law.

Examples include:

• Newsletter subscriber data retained until you unsubscribe

• Donation and transaction records retained for at least seven years

• Program registration data retained during the program and up to three years afterward

• Analytics data retained in aggregated and anonymized form

Any user data obtained through Google API Services is retained only for as long as necessary to provide the requested feature and will be deleted when no longer required.

8. Security

We implement commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information, including:

• SSL/TLS encryption

• Secure storage of sensitive data

• Access controls limiting data access

• Regular security reviews

While we take security seriously, no system can guarantee absolute protection. Users should take reasonable precautions when sharing information online.

9. Your Rights and Choices

Access and Correction

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if it is inaccurate.

Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information unless we are legally required to retain it.

Data Portability

Where applicable, you may request an export of your data in a portable format.

Opt-Out of Communications

You may unsubscribe from emails using the unsubscribe link in any email.

You may opt out of SMS messages by replying STOP.

Google Account Access

If you have authenticated using Google Sign-In, you may revoke our access to your Google account at any time through your Google account permissions page.

California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights including:

• The right to know what personal information is collected

• The right to request deletion

• The right to opt out of data sales (we do not sell personal information)

• The right to non-discrimination

10. Children’s Privacy (COPPA)

Our Site is not directed toward children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If we become aware that a child has provided personal information without parental consent, we will delete it promptly.

11. Links to Third-Party Sites

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time.

Updates will be posted on this page with a revised Last Updated date.

Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us: