Last updated: October 16, 2026
Check the Claim (checktheclaim.org) is a reference site that checks claims against primary sources. We collect very little personal information. This page explains what we collect, why, and what you can do about it.
Who we are
Check the Claim is run by Jason Smith in Mesa, Arizona, United States. You can reach us about privacy at jason@checktheclaim.org.
What we collect
When you use the corrections form. If you send us a correction, we receive the details you type in: the page you are writing about, what you think is wrong, any source you want us to look at, your name, and your email address. We use this only to review your report and, if needed, reply to you.
Automatically, when you visit. Like most websites, our server and security tools may log technical details such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages requested. We use these to keep the site running and to block spam and attacks.
Cookies. The site uses a small number of cookies. Some are needed to make the site work, and one remembers your cookie-banner choice. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. You can review or change your cookie and opt-out choices at any time on our Opt-out preferences page.
Analytics. “We use Google Analytics to count visits and see which pages people read. It uses cookies and collects your IP address in shortened or anonymized form, device and browser type, and pages viewed. We use Google Search Console to see which search terms bring people to the site. Google’s own privacy policy describes how it handles that data.”
What we do not collect. There are no user accounts, no comments, no payments, and no newsletter signup on this site. We do not run advertising, and we do not sell your personal information.
Who handles your data for us
We use a few services to run the site. They process data only to provide their service.
- Web hosting: WordPress.com (Automattic Inc.) hosts the site and stores its logs.
- Email delivery: Brevo sends email from the site, such as notifications of corrections submissions. Brevo processes the sender and recipient addresses and message contents for this purpose.
- Spam protection: Akismet (a service of Automattic) may receive the contents of form submissions and the submitter’s IP address to detect spam.
- Security: Our security plugins may log IP addresses of failed login attempts and other suspicious activity.
- Forwarded email: Messages to jason@checktheclaim.org are forwarded to a personal inbox.
How long we keep it
We keep correction messages for as long as we need them to review and respond to the report and to keep a record of changes made to the site. We keep them for up to 24 months, after which we delete or anonymize them. Server and security logs are kept by our hosting provider under its own retention practices.
Your choices and rights
You can ask us what personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct or delete it, or ask us to stop using it, by emailing jason@checktheclaim.org. We will respond within 45 days. Residents of some states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, and others, have specific rights under state privacy laws, including the right to know, delete, correct, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell or share personal information for advertising. We honor Global Privacy Control signals and browser Do Not Track settings.
Children
This site is written for adults and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
Security
We use reasonable measures to protect the site and the information we receive, including security software, spam filtering, and backups. No system is perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Links to other sites
Claim pages link to primary sources and other creators’ work. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their privacy practices.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we will update the date at the top. Material changes will be noted on this page.
Contact
Check the Claim
Mesa, Arizona, United States
jason@checktheclaim.org