Overview
We have offices in the United States and the management of our brand is located at the headquarters of our parent company in Cincinnati, Ohio.
By visiting and using our products and services the personal data you share with us or that we collect automatically will be collected, stored, processed, or transferred in and to the United States where our technical infrastructure is located and operated. Some of our service providers may have operations in other countries as well.
Our sites, mobile apps, online channels, and services utilize tracking technology as described below. We may also use Artificial Intelligence to process your data.
What this policy covers
This privacy policy applies to our general collection and use of personal data and specifically to any of our publicly available devices, websites or digital applications (“apps”) that link to this policy. This policy also applies to any of our non-public systems used by partners, applicants, and employees.
We also specifically address Tracking Technology, Data Sharing, and Data Transfers.
What is personal data?
Generally, the terms personal data or personally identifiable information mean information that relates to an identifiable person. In some cases, the terms may include information that identifies a household. An identifiable person is an individual who can be singled out by using information such as their name, address, or telephone number. For example, Ms. Cindy Delgado who lives at 123 Scripps Street with a telephone number of 513-513-5133 is an identifiable person. Cindy’s name, address, telephone number, and even her choice of pronoun are examples of her personal data.
What's not covered in this policy?
Products and services provided by any other company are not covered by this policy. In some instances, we provide links, advertisements, or products and services offered by other companies. You may also view our content via services provided by other companies. Companies providing those products or services will have their own terms and policies and any information they collect will follow their rules and not ours. Make sure to check their privacy policy to learn how they will use your information.
Quick links: This privacy policy describes the following important topics relating to your information:
What Personal Data We Collect and How We Collect It
Why We Collect Personal Data
Legal Basis For Using Your Personal Data Data We Share And Who We Share It With Data Transfer
Your Rights
Storage, Risks, And Security
Tracking technology Children
Contact
Third Party Agents
What Personal Data We Collect and How We Collect It
The personal data we collect can be divided into three categories:
- Personal data you give us directly.
- Personal data we collect automatically through our products or services.
- Personal data we obtain from other sources.
Personal data you give us directly may include your:
- Full name.
- Preferred pronoun.
- Job title.
- Email address.
- Telephone number.
- Contact or mailing address.
- Preferences, likes, bookmarks, ratings, and feedback.
- Resume or CV.
- Banking or payment details.
- Information generally applicable to employment.
- Image.
- Health information.
You have the opportunity and choice to provide us this personal data at various times and for various reasons including:
- Using the online forms provided on our websites and apps to create an account, request help, provide feedback, take a survey, enter a contest, or apply for a job.
- Registering for or attending in-person or online events hosted by us.
- Contacting us by phone, post, or email.
- Interacting with us on platforms and technologies through which we communicate, such as messaging apps, QR codes, SMS (text) messaging, helpdesk tools, work collaboration tools, financial management tools, vendor portals, and human resource management tools.
- If you are a supplier or partner, you may give us personal data when you are offering or providing services to us.
Personal data we collect automatically may include:
- Information about your device(s).
- Information about the app you are using.
- Information about your Internet browser.
- Your IP address.
- Other online identifiers.
- Location information based on your IP address.
- Usage behavior and history.
- Your image or likeness captured through video surveillance, security cameras, access control systems, or other physical security technologies at our premises.
- Time spent at our premises.
Some of the technical data listed above is collected when you interact with us online. This could mean using one of our devices, scanning a QR code, using our apps, visiting our websites, viewing our content on a smartphone, a computer, a smart or connected television, or digital media players such as Roku or Amazon Fire. When you use a device or a service made by someone else to view our content, your interaction with that device or service is likely governed by that provider’s privacy policy.
Personal data we obtain from other sources.
We may receive personal data about you from third parties such as marketing agencies, market research companies, our suppliers, contractors and consultants, group companies, publicly available websites, and public agencies.
Sensitive categories of personal data.
In limited circumstances, personal data that you provide us may fall into sensitive categories such as information about your physical and mental health, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic origin, veteran status, political opinions, philosophical belief, trade union membership and biometric data. Unless required by law (such as COVID-19 testing or some employment related information), providing these categories of personal data will always be your choice.
We take extra precautions with personal data in sensitive categories in order to minimize its collection, limit access to it, protect it, and whether and with whom we share it.
Why We Collect Personal Data [Back to Top]
Like all companies, we use the personal data we collect in multiple ways. Examples include:
- To allow you to access our website and apps.
- To receive and respond to questions from you about our products and services.
- To improve, maintain, and provide technical support for our products and services.
- To aid the security of our products and facilities.
- To allow you to participate in contests or surveys.
- To store information about your preferences and to allow us to customize our websites and apps according to your individual interests.
- To carry out the purchases you have requested.
- To support our websites, apps, communications, and other services, including analytics, measurement, and improvements to user experience.
- To allow us to enter into and comply with contractual arrangements.
- To process job applications.
- To conform with the requirements of the law or legal process.
- To protect or defend your rights, our rights, or the rights of other users.
- To protect the health and safety of our users, our employees, or the general public.
- To enable us to purchase, receive, and manage services from you or your employer.
- To pay salaries, administer benefits, and conduct performance reviews for our employees.
We may use your personal data to send you certain mandatory service communications such as welcome letters, billing reminders, information on technical service issues, security warnings, software updates, and other support announcements. If you choose to receive promotional materials from us (including email), we may use your personal data to confirm that choice and to promote and market products, services, and special offers from us or others.
In certain instances, we may provide you with the option to set your preferences for receiving email communications from us; that is, to agree to some communications but not others. You may choose to stop receiving future commercial email communications from us by clicking the "unsubscribe" link included at the bottom of most emails we send, or by contacting us directly.
We may use Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in some instances, such as customer-facing tools, to generate or check some content, or automate business workflows. Where AI is in use, we will endeavor to provide notice.
Legal Basis for Using Your Personal Data [Back to Top]
Some jurisdictions require that we have a legal basis for collecting and processing your personal data. Where that is required, we consider those legal bases to be:
- To perform our obligations under a contract with you.
- To comply with our legal obligations.
- For our legitimate interests and the legitimate interests of others which include:
- The management and operations of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
- Delivering our content to our viewers via broadcast, our websites, and apps.
- Identifying and selecting qualified suppliers and partners.
- Conducting market research and business development.
- In the cases where you choose to provide us your personal data via one of our websites or apps, we process your personal data, at least in part, on the basis of your consent. You may withdraw this consent at any time by contacting us.
Where we are relying on our (or another person’s) legitimate interests, we will always consider the categories or types of personal data in question in order to balance our use against the possibility of any action that might be counter to your rights. We will never purposefully violate the rights you have in your personal data and ask that you please contact us with any concerns.
Data We Share and Who We Share It With [Back to Top]In order to meet the ‘why’s’ of Why We Collect Personal Data discussed above, we may share the personal data we collect with the categories of organizations listed below. In selecting the third parties that we employ, we carefully consider the service they provide, the categories of personal data concerned, and the protections and governance we are able to put in place. The third parties with whom we share your personal information are always subject to privacy and security obligations consistent with this privacy policy and applicable laws.
The categories of organizations with whom we share personal data are:
- Our partners and service providers that perform professional services, technical services or handle transactions on our behalf.
- Marketing, communications, analytics, and measurement service providers that help us operate, understand, improve, and promote our services.
- Government agencies when required.
- Our affiliates or with our internal corporate shared services e.g. finance, accounting, etc.
As we continue to grow our business, we may sell or purchase assets. If another entity acquires us or one of our brands, any related personal data may be transferred to and used by this acquiring entity. We will, however, take reasonable steps to ensure that your preferences are followed.
Data Transfer [Back to Top]We have an office in the United States and the management of our brand is located at the headquarters of our parent company in Cincinnati, Ohio.
By visiting and using our products and services the personal data you share with us or that we collect automatically will be collected, stored, processed, or transferred in and to the United States where our technical infrastructure is located and operated. Some of our brands and service providers may have operations in other countries as well.
Our sites, mobile apps, online channels, and services utilize tracking technology as described below.
In addition to the Risks listed in the Storage, Risk and Security Section, the data protection and other laws of the United States and other countries where your personal data may be collected, stored, or processed might not be as comprehensive as those in your country.
By using our websites and apps or providing any of your data, you consent to your information being transferred to and stored or processed in our facilities and the facilities of the third parties described in this policy.
You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us.
Your Rights [Back to Top]
Your rights related to your personal data may vary by where you live or are located.
Your rights may include:
- The right to be informed of what personal data we collect, why we collect it, and whether we transfer or share your personal data.
- The right to access your personal data and correct or update any errors.
- The right to erasure.
- The right to notification.
- The right to restrict the use or sale of personal data.
- The right to object to some forms of processing.
- The right to lodge a complaint with the competent authority.
We encourage you to research and understand your rights relative to your personal data and recommend the following links as good sources of information. We will never discriminate against anyone for exercising their rights or inquiring about their personal data.
California Consumer Privacy Act
The International Association of Privacy Professionals
Storage, Risks, and Security [Back to Top]
The risk to the personal data in our care is that, despite our security precautions, it may be lost, stolen or misused.
Although we take steps to protect the personal data which you provide to us, the transmission of information over the internet is never completely secure. We cannot guarantee the security of your personal data while in transit to us. Once we have received your personal data, our security team will use industry standard procedures and security features to secure it.
We keep your personal data for no longer than we need it to meet the ‘why’ of Why We Collect Personal Data or as long as we have another valid reason to keep it (the Legal Basis discussed above). If you have an account with us, you may delete it or request that it be deleted at any time.
Tracking Technology [Back to Top]
Our websites and apps use tracking technology to help us understand and improve our offerings. The information collected through this tracking technology may be considered personal data.
Where we use tracking technology, you may block the technology. To do so, you can activate the setting on your device that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some tracking technology; we have provided some helpful links below for various devices and operating systems. Please be aware, if you use your device settings to block all tracking technology, you may not be able to access all or parts of our websites or apps or use all the available functionality.
Additional information and tools:
How Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps
How Google uses cookies in advertising
Opting out of tracking by Adobe Analytics cookies
Understanding online advertising
Information on Opting out on Mobile Devices
Learn how to limit interest-based ads provided by Apple on your Apple device
Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada
Network Advertising Initiative (NAI)
European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance
Web browser and device settings:
Certain browsers may offer you the option of providing notice to websites that you do not wish for your online activities to be tracked for interest-based advertising purposes (“DNT Notice”). Unfortunately, given how preference-based advertising works, DNT Notices may not be effective in communicating your preferences and we do not take any action based on browser based DNT Notices. The best course of action, if you do not wish to participate in interest-based advertising activities, is to follow the directions given above.
Lastly, should you receive marketing or promotional emails from us that you no longer wish to receive, please click the “Unsubscribe” link in our emails, contact us directly, or for certain services, by logging into your account and adjusting your preferences.
Children [Back to Top]
We recognize that some users of our websites, apps, educational materials, programs, and events may be minors. We are committed to handling information relating to children in accordance with applicable law.
If you are the parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided personal information without your consent, please contact us.
Additional Information for California Residents [Back to Top]
California residents may have certain rights with respect to their personal information, including the right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and share; the right to request deletion or correction of personal information; the right to opt out of certain sales or sharing of personal information; the right to limit certain uses and disclosures of sensitive personal information, where applicable; and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights.
In connection with the Scripps National Spelling Bee websites, apps, and services covered by this policy, we do not sell personal information and do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising or targeted advertising. We may disclose personal information to service providers, contractors, partners, affiliates, and other third parties for the business purposes described in this policy, such as operating our services, administering programs and events, responding to requests, conducting analytics and measurement, maintaining security, complying with legal obligations, and supporting our business operations.
California residents may submit privacy requests by using the Privacy Center link provided on our websites or apps or by contacting us using the methods listed in the Contact section. Please contact us with any questions about this California notice or our privacy practices.
Contact [Back to Top]
If you would like to contact us with a specific request, we ask that you use our contact form located at the Privacy Center link provided on our web sites or through our apps. We will ask for you to provide some personal data in order to assist you such as your name and email address.
You may also contact us with any questions about this Privacy Policy, our practices, or anything related to your personal data by the following means:
Email: privacy@scripps.com
Phone: +1-833-719-3352
Mail: The E.W. Scripps Company 312 Walnut Street, Suite 2800, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 Attention: Chief Privacy Officer
In some cases, you may be able to use an authorized agent to contact us on your behalf. Unless we can verify that you have provided a legal power of attorney to this agent, we may require you to verify your identity directly with us and/or confirm with us directly that you have provided permission for the agent to act on your behalf.
Third Party Agents [Back to Top]
If you are a third party agent representing an individual, you should contact us via the email address listed above. You should include: the name of the individual you represent, verifiable proof of your representation, the name of the applicable Scripps brand, and details of the request. We reserve the right to verify any request directly with the individual.
Changes to This Policy [Back to Top]
We will post any changes we may make to this policy on this page. If the changes materially alter how we use or treat your personal data we will notify you by email to the email address specified in your account (if you have an account with us) and/or through a notice on the website home page. The date this privacy policy was last revised is identified on this page.
Revision Date: August 18, 2026