Privacy Policy

Last updated: 12 July 2026

The Once Times ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and the choices you have when you visit theoncetimes.com (the "Site"). Please read this policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Site.

Our approach in one paragraph

We collect as little as possible. Analytics and experiment cookies only run after you consent, and you can decline or withdraw consent at any time without losing access to anything. Personalized recommendations are computed entirely in your browser — your reading history is stored only on your device and is never sent to our servers.

1. Information We Collect

a. Information you give us

• Contact Information: Name, email address, or other details you provide when subscribing to our newsletter or contacting us.

b. Information collected with your consent

• Analytics Data (Google Analytics): With your consent, we use Google Analytics to understand how The Once Times is read. Google Analytics collects information such as approximate location derived from your IP address, browser and device type, pages visited, and time spent on the Site. Nothing is loaded and no data is collected until you agree. You can learn how Google uses this data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
• Experimentation (A/B testing): With your consent, we set a first-party cookie that randomly assigns you to a version of a page so we can test which designs and features work better for readers. This cookie contains only a variant assignment and is not shared with third parties.
• Personalized recommendations: With your consent, we keep a record of articles you have read in your browser's local storage and use it to re-rank the "For you" and "You might like" sections and to stop showing you posts you have already read. This runs entirely in your browser: your reading history never leaves your device and is never transmitted to our servers. Clearing your browser data removes it completely. If you decline, you simply see our editorial ranking instead.

c. Information stored to honor your choices

• Follows and preferences: When you follow an artist or topic, or set a preference such as display theme, we store that choice in your browser's local storage so we can honor it. This is strictly necessary to provide the feature you requested, is never sent to our servers, and does not require separate consent.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above to:

• Provide and improve the Site, including delivering news, articles, and — in your browser only — personalized recommendations.
• Communicate with you, such as responding to inquiries or sending newsletters you have subscribed to.
• Analyze aggregate Site usage to improve our journalism, design, and user experience.
• Comply with legal obligations or protect our rights.

We do not sell your personal information or serve targeted ads.

3. Consent, and How to Withdraw It

When you first visit the Site, a consent banner lets you accept or decline each category (analytics, experimentation, and personalization) individually. Declining does not limit your access to any content or feature. You can change your mind at any time via the "Cookie preferences" link in the Site footer, which reopens the consent settings. Withdrawing consent stops the relevant collection going forward; you can additionally clear existing cookies and local storage through your browser settings.

4. Cookies and Local Storage

We use the following technologies:

• Strictly necessary: Local storage for follows and preferences you have set, and a record of your consent choices. These are required to honor your requests and do not need consent.
• Analytics (consent required): Google Analytics cookies, as described above.
• Experimentation (consent required): A first-party A/B testing cookie containing a variant assignment.
• Personalization (consent required): A local storage profile of articles you have read, used only in your browser.

5. How We Share Your Information

We may share information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With vendors who assist in operating the Site — such as our hosting provider and, with your consent, Google (for Google Analytics) — under terms that restrict their use of the data.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, regulation, or legal process (e.g., a court order).
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
• With Your Consent: For any other purpose with your explicit permission.

6. International Data Transfers

The Once Times is operated from Hong Kong. If you consent to analytics, data collected by Google Analytics is transferred to and processed by Google LLC on servers that may be located in the United States and other countries. These transfers are made under appropriate safeguards, including Google's data processing terms and Standard Contractual Clauses.

7. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information. However, no online platform is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for analytics, experimentation, or personalization at any time, as described in Section 3.
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from newsletters or other emails at any time.
• Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, commonly used format.

Note that your reading history and follows are stored only on your device — we cannot access, export, or delete them for you, but you can remove them at any time by clearing your browser data for this Site.

To exercise these rights, contact us at contact@theoncetimes.com. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law (e.g., 30 days under GDPR).

10. Children's Privacy

The Site is not intended for children under 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on the Site or via email (if applicable). The "Last Updated" date indicates when changes were made.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

The Once Times
Email: contact@theoncetimes.com

By using the Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. Thank you for trusting The Once Times with your information.