Privacy Policy

Effective date: July 3, 2026

The Lost Reel ("we," "us," or "the site") is a free, hobby-run viewing guide to classic public-domain films at thelostreel.com. We keep things simple: the site has no user accounts, no sign-ups, and we do not ask for or store your name, email address, or any personal details on our servers. This policy explains what limited information is collected when you visit, and the choices you have.

Information we collect

We do not directly collect or store personal information. However, the following services operate on the site:

• Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site (pages viewed, approximate location, device type, how you found us). Google Analytics uses cookies and collects data such as your IP address and browsing behavior on this site. This data is aggregated and does not identify you personally to us. You can learn how Google uses this data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites, and opt out with the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
• Local storage on your device. Features like "Continue Watching" and remembering that you dismissed our cookie notice use your browser's local storage. This information stays on your device, is never transmitted to us, and can be cleared at any time through your browser settings.

Advertising

We intend to display advertising on this site (including via Google AdSense) to cover hosting costs. When advertising is active:

• Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites.
• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visits to this site and/or other sites on the internet.
• You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of some third-party vendors' cookies at aboutads.info/choices.

Embedded content & third parties

Films and TV episodes on The Lost Reel are streamed through embedded players from the Internet Archive (archive.org). When you play a title, your browser communicates directly with the Internet Archive, which may collect data under its own terms and privacy policy. We also load fonts from Google Fonts, which involves your browser requesting files from Google's servers. We do not control the data practices of these third parties.

Cookies and your choices

Cookies used on this site come from the third-party services described above (analytics and, in the future, advertising). You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings, use private/incognito browsing, or use the opt-out tools linked above. The site's core function — browsing and watching films — works fine with cookies disabled.

Children's privacy

The Lost Reel is a general-audience site and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children. Note that some classic horror titles may not be suitable for young viewers.

Your rights

Depending on where you live (for example, the EU/UK under GDPR or California under CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights regarding personal data held about you, such as access, correction, or deletion. Because we do not store personal data ourselves, such requests generally need to be directed to the third-party services above — but if you have any question or concern, contact us and we will do our best to help.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time (for example, when advertising goes live). The effective date at the top will always reflect the latest revision. Continued use of the site after changes means you accept the updated policy.

Contact

Questions about this policy or the site? Email us at rovertdude@gmail.com.