State News Now (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is dedicated to transparency regarding the digital technologies utilized across our journalism platform. This Cookie Policy explains how and why cookies, pixel tags, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies are deployed when you visit statenewsnow.com (the “Website”).

1. What Are Cookies and Tracking Technologies?

Cookies are small alphanumeric text files stored on your computer, mobile device, or tablet when you browse websites. They enable the Website to recognize your device, remember preferences, and ensure responsive page delivery. In addition to cookies, we may utilize related client-side technologies such as local storage, session storage, and analytics pixels.

2. Categories of Cookies We Deploy

Our digital infrastructure categorizes cookies into distinct operational tiers:

A. Strictly Necessary & Security Cookies

These cookies are indispensable for the core operation of the Website. They facilitate secure session persistence, combat malicious bot traffic, prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and maintain navigation integrity across articles. Because these cookies are essential to delivering requested editorial services, they cannot be deactivated without disrupting platform functionality.

B. Analytics, Readability, & Performance Cookies

We analyze aggregated, non-personally identifiable telemetry to evaluate how readers interact with our long-form journalism. These technologies (including Google Analytics 4) measure metrics such as reading velocity, dwell duration, scroll depth, and server response times. The insights derived allow our editorial team to optimize site speed, resolve rendering bottlenecks, and enhance content presentation.

C. Advertising & Commercial Partnerships

To support independent, open-access investigative reporting without paywalls, State News Now partners with certified digital advertising platforms, including Google Ad Manager (GAM), Google AdSense, and authorized Google Certified Publishing Partners (such as Netlink). These demand platforms deploy cookies to:

  • Prevent repetitive ad delivery (frequency capping);
  • Detect and mitigate invalid traffic, automated clicks, and ad fraud;
  • Measure the aggregate reach and viewability of advertising campaigns;
  • Deliver non-deceptive, contextually relevant commercial messages aligned with strict IAB Better Ads Standards.

3. Third-Party Disclosures & External Demands

When third-party programmatic networks deliver visual inventory across the Website, those third parties may place and read cookies on your browser. These partners operate under their respective privacy protocols. For detailed partner disclosures, please inspect our authorized public sellers declaration at statenewsnow.com/ads.txt.

4. Managing and Controlling Your Cookie Preferences

You maintain full control over the storage and execution of cookies on your devices:

  • Browser Controls: Most modern web browsers (Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge) allow you to block, manage, or delete cookies via their security settings menus. Please note that disabling essential cookies may impact specific reading features.
  • Industry Opt-Out Portals: You can opt out of targeted programmatic advertising across participating industry providers via recognized consumer choice portals:
  • Google Advertising Controls: You can customize or disable personalized Google ad delivery by visiting Google Ad Settings.

5. Amendments to This Policy

We may periodically update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in regulatory standards, digital technologies, or editorial operations. Any revisions will be published on this page with an updated effective date.

6. Contact the Editorial Bureau

For questions or formal inquiries regarding our cookie standards and privacy governance, please contact our editorial bureau:

State News Now
Editorial Governance & Compliance Bureau
Email: editor@statenewsnow.com
Website: https://statenewsnow.com