Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information Map United States ("we", "us", or "the site") collects when you visit mapunitedstates.com, how that information is used, and the choices available to you. By using this site you agree to the practices described below.

Information we collect

Map United States is a read-only informational site. We do not operate user accounts, newsletters, or contact forms, so we do not collect names, postal addresses, phone numbers, or payment details. The information that is collected automatically when you visit falls into two groups:

• Standard server and analytics data: your IP address, approximate geographic location (derived from IP), browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, which pages you view, and the date and time of your visit.
• Advertising data: information collected by our ad partners to serve and measure ads, described in the Google AdSense section below.

If you email us using the address on the Contact page, we receive the email address you send from and whatever information you include in the message. That correspondence is used solely to respond to you.

Cookies and similar technologies

A cookie is a small text file stored by your browser. This site uses cookies and similar technologies (such as local storage and web beacons) for three purposes: basic site operation, analytics, and advertising. A short summary is below; a fuller breakdown is in the Cookie Policy.

• Strictly necessary: remembering preferences such as quiz progress or your last-selected states in the comparison tool.
• Analytics: Google Analytics is used to understand which pages are popular and how visitors move through the site. Analytics cookies typically identify returning visitors pseudonymously.
• Advertising: Google AdSense and its partners may set cookies to serve ads, limit how often you see the same ad, and measure ad performance.

Most browsers let you block or delete cookies in their settings. Blocking advertising cookies generally does not remove ads, but it may make them less relevant.

Analytics

We use Google Analytics (tag ID G-9SES92580W) to collect aggregated usage information such as page views, session duration, approximate country and region, and the sequence of pages visited. The data is used to improve content and navigation and is not used to identify individual visitors. Google's use of this data is governed by the Google Privacy Policy.

Google AdSense and advertising

Map United States participates in the Google AdSense program. Google and its partner networks use cookies and similar identifiers to serve ads based on your prior visits to this site and other sites on the web. This practice is known as "personalized" or "interest-based" advertising.

• Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on this site.
• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on visits to this and other websites.
• You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings.
• You can also opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting aboutads.info or YourOnlineChoices.
• Google's overall approach to advertising is described in their advertising policies.

Third-party services

In addition to Google, interactive maps on this site use tile imagery provided by OpenStreetMap contributors, served from the tile.openstreetmap.org hostname. Your browser contacts OpenStreetMap directly to retrieve map tiles; see the OpenStreetMap Privacy Policy for details.

Static assets such as the Leaflet map library may be served from the unpkg.com content-delivery network. No account or personal information is sent to these services; they see only the request required to deliver the file.

How data is used

The information collected is used to:

• Operate and maintain the site and its interactive features.
• Understand which pages and topics are useful so we can improve them.
• Serve, limit, and measure advertising through Google AdSense.
• Detect and prevent abuse, fraud, and technical problems.

We do not sell personal information. We do not share analytics data with third parties outside the service providers listed above.

Data retention

Server and analytics logs are retained for a limited period consistent with the defaults of the services used. Google Analytics retention is configured at Google's default setting (currently 14 months); after that, event-level data is aggregated or deleted. Advertising data retention is controlled by Google AdSense per their policies.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding the information collected about you.

GDPR (European Economic Area and United Kingdom)

If you are in the EEA or the UK, you have the right to access, rectify, delete, restrict the processing of, or port the personal data we hold about you, and to object to its processing. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data-protection authority. Because we do not operate user accounts, most of these rights are exercised through your browser (clearing cookies, using Do Not Track, adjusting ad personalization) and through the opt-out links in the AdSense section above. For any further request, contact us at the email on the Contact page.

CCPA / CPRA (California)

California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion of personal information, opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, and not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. Use of advertising cookies may be treated as "sharing" under California law; you can opt out using the Google Ad Settings and industry opt-out links above, or by sending a request to the contact email.

Children's privacy

Map United States is an educational reference site suitable for readers of all ages, but we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, the services we use, or applicable law. The "Last reviewed" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last changed. Material changes will be reflected on this page; continued use of the site after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy, or about how your data is handled on this site, can be sent to [email protected]. We will respond within a reasonable time.