Privacy policy
Amphibian collects as little reader information as possible and uses it only to run the site, send newsletters, manage memberships, respond to messages, and protect the work.
Last updated: May 2026
Amphibian Media respects your privacy. We are a small independent media company. Our basic position: we don't want to collect more information than we need, and we don't want to do anything creepy with it.
This policy explains what we may collect when you visit amphibian.media, subscribe to our newsletter, become a paid member, contact us, pitch us, advertise with us, or otherwise interact with Amphibian Media.
Who we are
Amphibian Media is an independent media and production company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Contact us via matt AT amphibian DOT media.
What we collect
Information you give us directly. Your name, email address, message content, pitch materials, subscription preferences, billing information, or anything else you send us through forms, email, newsletter signup, membership tools, or other communications.
Newsletter and membership information. If you subscribe or become a member, we may collect your email address, name if you provide it, subscription status, membership level, and related information needed to send email and manage your account.
Payment information. Paid memberships and subscriptions are processed by third-party providers like Stripe. Amphibian does not store credit card numbers on its own systems.
Technical information. Like most websites, our site and service providers may collect basic technical data — IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, referring links, approximate location, and visit timestamps. This helps the site function and helps us understand what readers care about.
Cookies. Our site may use cookies to keep things functioning, remember preferences, support memberships, and measure traffic. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not work properly if they're blocked.
How we use it
We use what we collect to send newsletters, manage memberships, respond to messages and pitches, improve the site and our work, understand audience interest, and prevent spam, fraud, and technical failures. We also have legal obligations like everyone else.
We don't want your personal information to become its own little swamp creature. We collect what we need to run the publication and talk to people who want to hear from us.
How we share it
We don't sell reader information.
We may share limited information with service providers that help us operate — hosting, newsletter tools, payment processors, analytics, email, security. We may also share information when required by law, to protect Amphibian's rights, to prevent fraud, or as part of a business transition.
Third-party services
Amphibian uses third-party tools for publishing, memberships, payments, analytics, embedded media, and other functions. Those services operate under their own privacy policies. Ghost handles publishing and newsletter functions. Stripe handles payments. When you interact with third-party services, their practices apply.
If you subscribe, we'll use your email to send Amphibian updates. Unsubscribe anytime using the link in any email, or contact us directly. If you email us, we may keep your message and contact information to respond and maintain reasonable records.
Pitches and submissions
If you send us a pitch, proposal, or other material, we may keep it for editorial, business, or legal purposes. Don't send confidential material unless we've agreed in advance to receive it that way.
Children
Amphibian is not directed to children under 13. We don't knowingly collect information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we'll delete it.
Security
We use reasonable measures to protect the information we handle. No website, email system, or internet-connected service can be guaranteed perfectly secure. If we become aware of a security incident that legally requires notice, we'll act accordingly.
Data retention
We keep personal information only as long as reasonably needed — newsletter records while you're subscribed, payment and business records for accounting, correspondence for editorial or business purposes.
Your choices
You can unsubscribe from emails, ask us to update or delete your contact information, ask what basic personal information we hold, or ask us to stop contacting you. Email matt AT amphibian DOT media. We may need to verify your identity before acting on some requests.
State and international privacy rights
Some states and countries give residents additional rights — to access, correct, delete, or receive a copy of personal information, or to object to certain uses. Amphibian is a small Pennsylvania-based company and not every privacy law applies to every organization, but we'll make a reasonable effort to respond to privacy requests in a straightforward way. We don't discriminate against anyone for exercising privacy rights.
Links
Our site links to other websites, platforms, sponsors, and creators. We're not responsible for the privacy practices of sites we don't control.
Advertising
Amphibian may work with advertisers, sponsors, underwriters, and other partners. If we use advertising or analytics tools that collect information, we'll describe those practices accurately. We don't sell reader information to advertisers.
Changes
We may update this policy as Amphibian grows, our tools change, or legal requirements evolve. When we do, we'll revise the date at the top. Major changes may be announced on the site or by email.
Contact
Matt Stroud Amphibian Media matt AT amphibian DOT media.