THE OLD GUARDIAN — PRIVACY POLICY

(Last updated: December 2025)

The Old Guardian (“TOG,” “we,” “our,” “I”) respects your privacy and safeguards the information you choose to share. This Privacy Policy explains what data is collected, how it is used, and your rights as a subscriber or reader.

1. What Information We Collect

1.1 Subscriber Information (via Substack)

When you subscribe, Substack collects:

• your email address

• your payment information (for paid subscriptions)

• your username (if applicable)

• your interaction history with TOG posts (open/like/comment)

This data is stored and secured by Substack, not TOG.
Substack’s own Privacy Policy governs the storage and protection of this data.

1.2 Information You Voluntarily Provide

If you:

• send an email

• submit information for investigations

• participate in comments

• respond to polls or surveys

…TOG may receive the information you choose to share.

2. How Your Information Is Used

We use subscriber data to:

• deliver newsletters and investigations

• communicate directly with you

• provide updates and announcements

• operate paid subscription features (voting on FOIs, etc.)

• support investigative work and community decisions

We do not:

• sell your information

• rent your information

• trade your information

• give it to advertisers

• share it with third parties except as required to run Substack or comply with Canadian law

3. Investigative Source Protection

If you contact TOG with information related to wrongdoing, corruption, or public-interest matters:

• your identity will not be shared with any outside party

• information provided confidentially stays confidential

• no identifying details will ever be disclosed without your explicit permission

• anonymous tips remain anonymous unless you request otherwise

• we follow ethical norms consistent with Canadian journalism standards and the North Star Accord

If you request to be treated as a confidential source, we will honour that to the fullest extent permitted by Canadian law.

4. Data Security

TOG does not store payment data.
All payments are processed securely through Substack’s third-party payment processors.

Emails and communications sent directly to TOG are protected with reasonable technical and administrative safeguards, including:

• password-protected accounts

• two-factor authentication

• secure cloud storage

• no unnecessary retention of sensitive communications

5. Use of Cookies and Tracking

Substack may use cookies and analytics tools to:

• improve platform performance

• track open rates

• understand subscriber activity

TOG does not personally implement tracking tools.

6. Comments and Public Interactions

Comments are public.
If you post identifying information in a comment, it becomes visible to others.
You are responsible for what you choose to share publicly.

Abusive comments may be removed.

7. External Links

Posts may contain links to external documents, sources, or websites.
TOG is not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites.

8. Your Rights

You may:

• unsubscribe at any time

• request deletion of your data from Substack (via your Substack account)

• request that TOG delete any direct communications you have sent

• request clarification on any part of this policy

To request deletion of non-Substack communications, email:
theoldguardian@proton.me

(example — I can adjust to whatever email you use)

9. Legal Jurisdiction

This policy is governed by Canadian law.
Any issues or disputes will fall under applicable federal and provincial statutes.

10. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated.
If changes are significant, subscribers will be notified directly.

Continued use of TOG content implies acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

TOG exists to protect truth — and that starts with protecting you.