Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 6, 2026

What We Collect

Local Health Signal uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to measure site traffic and understand how visitors use our pages. GA4 collects usage data such as pages visited, time on site, approximate geographic location (country/region level), device type, browser, and the broad type of internal page a visitor opens next (for example, a city, state, topic, or question page). Internal-navigation events do not send typed search text, names, email addresses, or other personally identifiable information.

Saved Places and the Quick Health Check

If you choose “Save place” or “Save this place,” up to four city or state identifiers are stored in this browser using local storage. They do not sync to other devices. Remove a place with “Saved · remove” or clear this site's browser data. A place saved with the earlier quick check remains available in My places. Opening a shared comparison does not save its places; removing a place from a comparison does not remove it from your saved list.

Typed searches and choices such as “Feeling sick” stay in the page and are not included in our analytics events. We measure completed comparisons, returns to saved places, saves, copied summaries and links, and report clicks using an action and a public report path. We do not send the saved list or summary text in these events, and strip query text and comparison fragments from the analytics page location. Comparison links contain their selected places, which are visible to anyone you send the link to. Copying an update or link does not send it to anyone; choosing a recipient in your device's share sheet does.

Optional Check History and Briefing Cards

If you turn on “Remember readings for my next visit” in My Places, this browser stores the last public source readings and your check date for saved places. This history stays on your device; it is not sent to our servers or analytics. A temporary session copy keeps comparisons stable while you use the site. Turn the option off to clear check history, or remove a saved place to remove its history.

Briefing images are generated in your browser from public surveillance data. They include the place, source dates, statewide coverage, and report link, but not your check history or saved-place list. Nothing is sent to a recipient until you choose to send it. Shared report links can contain a broad marker such as “card” or “comparison”; we count arrivals through these links without tracking who sent them. These arrivals can include a sender reopening their own link. Analytics page locations and referrers omit query strings and fragments.

Cookies

Google Analytics uses cookies to distinguish unique visitors and track sessions. These are first-party cookies set by Google's analytics script. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

How We Use Data

We use analytics data to understand which pages are most useful, identify technical issues, and improve the site. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

Third-Party Services

This site is hosted on Netlify. Netlify may collect server logs including IP addresses as part of standard web hosting operations. For details, see Netlify's privacy policy.

External Links

Our pages link to external sources such as the CDC, state health departments, and data providers. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.

Children's Privacy

This site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, you can reach us through the contact information on our About page.