Effective Date: August 19, 2026 | Last Updated: August 19, 2026
1. Introduction
Welcome to Byline Syndicate ("we," "us," "our," or "Company"). We operate the website https://bylinesyndicate.co and provide editorial byline placement services connecting cybersecurity companies and executives with Tier 1 and Tier 2 cybersecurity publications.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Website or use our services. BY USING OUR WEBSITE OR SERVICES, YOU CONSENT TO THE COLLECTION, USE, AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR INFORMATION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information You Provide
When you use our Website or services, we may collect:
- Contact Information: Full name, phone number, email address, job title, company name, LinkedIn profile (optional)
- Communication Records: Email correspondence, text messages, call recordings, video meeting recordings (with consent), chat conversations
- Service Information: Content briefs, topic preferences, existing articles/whitepapers, publication targeting preferences, SME biographical information, voice and style guidelines
- Payment Information: Billing info, payment method details (processed securely through third-party processors), transaction history
2.2 Information Automatically Collected
When you visit our Website, we automatically collect:
- Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, screen resolution
- Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website, date/time of visit, search queries
- Location Information: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing behavior. See Section 8 for detailed cookie information.
2.4 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information from analytics providers (website usage statistics, demographic information) and public sources (publicly available professional information, published articles, industry conference speaker lists).
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Primary Service Delivery — To deliver editorial placement services: match your expertise with appropriate cybersecurity publications, draft and refine articles in your voice, pitch articles to editors, secure byline placements, track placement progress, and deliver live URLs and promotion kits.
3.2 Improvement and Development — Analyze placement success rates, develop new editorial angles, improve writer-publication matching, conduct quality assurance.
3.3 Marketing and Communications — Send promotional emails and newsletters (with consent), share anonymized case studies, promote special offers. You can opt out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" or emailing erica@bylinesyndicate.co.
3.4 Legal and Security — Prevent fraud, enforce Terms and Conditions, comply with legal obligations, protect rights and safety.
3.5 Analytics and Research — Conduct data analysis on publication trends, generate statistics, measure marketing effectiveness.
4. How We Share Your Information
4.1 Sharing with Publications and Editors (Primary Service Purpose Only)
When you engage our editorial placement services, we share your professional information with cybersecurity publication editors to secure byline placements:
- Full name and job title (for byline attribution)
- Company name and professional biography (for author bio)
- SME expertise areas and content angles
- Drafted article content (with your prior approval)
- Preferred publication targets
We pitch articles directly to editors with whom we have established relationships. Publications may retain your information in their contributor databases. Publications are independent media organizations subject to their own privacy practices. We are not responsible for how publications use or protect your information once shared. You consent to this sharing by engaging our services and approving draft content for pitching.
IMPORTANT: The sharing described in Section 4.1 applies ONLY to our editorial placement services. It does NOT apply to SMS opt-in data. See Section 4.7 below for our strict SMS data policy.
4.2 Service Providers and Business Partners
We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf (CRM platforms, email providers, analytics, cloud storage, payment processors). These providers have access only to perform specific tasks and are obligated to protect your information.
4.3 Business Transfers — If involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you of any change in ownership.
4.4 Legal Requirements — We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety.
4.5 Aggregated and De-Identified Information — We may share statistical data that cannot identify you.
4.6 With Your Consent — We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.
4.7 SMS AND MOBILE OPT-IN DATA — STRICT NO-SHARING POLICY
If you provide your mobile phone number and opt in to receive SMS messages from Byline Syndicate, the following strict policies apply:
- NO SHARING: Your mobile opt-in data, phone number, and SMS consent will NEVER be shared with, sold to, rented to, transferred to, or disclosed to ANY third party for ANY purpose, including marketing, analytics, or service provision.
- NO THIRD-PARTY ACCESS: SMS opt-in data is used EXCLUSIVELY by Byline Syndicate to send you the communications you requested. We do not share mobile opt-in data with publications, editors, service providers, affiliates, or any other third parties.
- INTERNAL USE ONLY: Your mobile number and opt-in consent are stored securely and accessed only by authorized Byline Syndicate personnel for the sole purpose of delivering SMS communications.
- SEPARATE FROM OTHER DATA: SMS opt-in data is treated as a separate, restricted data category with higher protections than general contact information. General data sharing provisions in Sections 4.1–4.6 do NOT apply to SMS opt-in data.
- CONSENT IS EXCLUSIVE: Your SMS consent is valid only for Byline Syndicate communications and does not constitute consent for any third party to contact you.
5. Data Retention
We retain your information as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes in this Privacy Policy:
- Service records and placement history: 3-5 years after completion
- Communication records: 2-3 years
- Call recordings: 1-2 years (unless needed for disputes)
- Drafted articles and content: 3 years (or per client request)
- Marketing information: Until you opt out or request deletion
- SMS opt-in records: 4 years after opt-out (to comply with carrier requirements)
You may request deletion at any time (see Section 7).
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures including encryption (SSL/TLS), secure servers, limited access, employee training, and confidentiality agreements. No security system is impenetrable. You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential and using strong passwords.
7. Your Privacy Rights
7.1 Access and Portability — Request confirmation of processing and obtain a copy of your information. Email erica@bylinesyndicate.co with subject "Access Request."
7.2 Correction and Update — Request correction of inaccurate information. Update directly or email erica@bylinesyndicate.co.
7.3 Deletion — Request deletion subject to legal exceptions. Email erica@bylinesyndicate.co with subject "Deletion Request."
7.4 Opt-Out and Restriction — Opt out of marketing, targeted advertising, or request processing restriction.
7.5 Object to Processing — Object to processing for certain purposes including direct marketing.
7.6 Lodge a Complaint — Complain to your local data protection authority.
7.7 Response Time — We respond within 30 days (45 days if additional time needed).
7.8 Verification — We may verify your identity before fulfilling requests.
8. Cookies and Tracking
8.1 What Are Cookies? — Small text files placed on your device to remember preferences and improve experience.
8.2 Types We Use: Strictly Necessary (required), Performance (anonymous usage), Functionality (preferences), Targeting/Advertising, Analytics.
8.3 Third-Party Cookies: Google Analytics and other privacy-respecting analytics providers.
8.4 Managing Cookies: Control through browser settings. Disabling may affect functionality.
8.5 Do Not Track: Our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals.
8.6 Mobile Advertising: We do not have a mobile app. Standard web tracking applies on mobile browsers.
9. Children's Privacy
Our services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe we have, contact erica@bylinesyndicate.co immediately and we will delete it.
10. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
California residents have rights to: know what personal information is collected, delete personal information, opt out of sale (we do not sell), and non-discrimination for exercising rights. Email erica@bylinesyndicate.co with subject "CCPA Request."
11. Nevada Privacy Rights
Nevada residents may opt out of sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information as defined by Nevada law. Contact erica@bylinesyndicate.co with questions.
12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)
EEA/UK/Switzerland residents have rights under GDPR including access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection, and withdrawal of consent. We process based on consent, contract, legitimate interests, and legal obligation. Data is transferred to and processed in the U.S. We use Standard Contractual Clauses and appropriate safeguards.
13. International Users
Our services are operated from the United States. If accessing from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to and processed in the U.S. You consent to such transfer. U.S. privacy laws may differ from your jurisdiction.
14. Links to Other Websites
Our Website may contain links to publication websites, social media, partner sites, and industry resources. We are not responsible for third-party privacy practices.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in practices, law, or services. We will notify you by posting updates, updating the "Last Updated" date, and sending email for significant changes. Continued use constitutes acceptance.
16. Contact Us
Byline Syndicate
Email: erica@bylinesyndicate.co
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST
Response Time: 2-3 business days
17. Privacy Policy Summary
What We Collect: Contact info (name, phone, email, company, job title), content briefs and service details, communication records, device and usage information.
How We Use It: Deliver editorial placement services, operate our business, improve services, send marketing (opt-out available), comply with law.
How We Share It: With cybersecurity publications/editors (for placement), with service providers (CRM, email, analytics, payment), for legal compliance, with your consent.
SMS OPT-IN DATA: NEVER shared with ANY third party. Used exclusively by Byline Syndicate for SMS communications. Period.
Your Rights: Access, correct, delete, opt out of marketing, object to processing.
Security: Encryption (SSL/TLS), limited access, secure servers, regular updates.
Contact: erica@bylinesyndicate.co
By using our Website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.
© 2026 Byline Syndicate. All rights reserved.