Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Legal Disclosures

Last Updated: August 5, 2026

This Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Legal Disclosures document (“Policy and Terms”) applies to AFCitizen.com and the related publications, communications, and services operated by Axio Publishing, LLC, doing business as American Fork Citizen (“American Fork Citizen,” “AFCitizen,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

This document contains two types of provisions:

1. Privacy and public legal disclosures, which explain our practices and apply when you interact with us; and
2. Contractual terms, which govern your use of the website and any service for which you receive conspicuous notice of these terms or affirmatively accept them.

Certain contractual provisions—including payment, subscription, content-license, advertising, warranty, liability, venue, and indemnification terms—apply only to the extent that you have received legally sufficient notice of them or affirmatively accepted them.

A person who is merely mentioned or depicted in our journalism does not become contractually bound by these Terms solely because the person visits the website or is the subject of published content.

Nothing in this document limits any right, obligation, defense, privilege, warranty, or remedy that cannot lawfully be limited or waived.

1. Scope

This Policy and Terms may apply to:

• AFCitizen.com and webpages under that domain;
• Print and digital newspaper subscriptions;
• Email newsletters and alerts;
• Text-message and SMS programs;
• Obituaries and memorial notices;
• Advertisements, classifieds, sponsorships, and paid content;
• Event announcements and community notices;
• News tips, press releases, photographs, letters, and other submissions;
• Reader comments and community areas, if offered;
• Online payments and billing;
• Social-media or third-party content embedded on the website; and
• Other services that link to this document.

Additional terms may be presented for a particular subscription, purchase, promotion, contest, advertisement, submission, or communication program. More specific terms control over this document to the extent of a direct conflict.

Part I: Privacy Policy

2. Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect information you voluntarily provide, including:

• Name;
• Email address;
• Telephone or mobile number;
• Mailing, delivery, and billing address;
• Subscription preferences;
• Account credentials;
• Payment and transaction information;
• Newsletter and communication preferences;
• Advertising information;
• Obituary or memorial information;
• Event and announcement information;
• Letters to the editor;
• Reader comments;
• News tips;
• Photographs, video, audio, documents, and other files;
• Information about people identified in submitted materials;
• Customer-service correspondence;
• Correction, retraction, privacy, copyright, and legal requests; and
• Other information you choose to provide.

We and our service providers may automatically collect information such as:

• Internet Protocol address;
• Browser and device type;
• Operating system;
• Referring and exit pages;
• Pages viewed;
• Dates and times of visits;
• Approximate location derived from an IP address;
• Cookie, browser, and device identifiers;
• Advertising and analytics interactions;
• Newsletter delivery, opening, and link activity;
• Website performance information;
• Security logs; and
• Fraud-prevention and access information.

The information actually collected depends on the website’s configuration and the services used at the time of your interaction.

3. Information Submitted for Publication

Information provided for publication is different from information submitted only for customer service, billing, privacy requests, legal notices, or another private administrative purpose.

If you submit an obituary, memorial, letter, photograph, event notice, advertisement, public comment, news tip, press release, announcement, or other material intended for publication, you understand that the material may:

• Be reviewed and verified;
• Be edited for accuracy, style, clarity, length, legality, or editorial standards;
• Be published publicly;
• Appear in print, online, through email, or on social media;
• Be indexed by search engines;
• Be quoted, discussed, copied, or redistributed by third parties;
• Remain in our archives for an indefinite period; and
• Continue to appear in cached pages, screenshots, archives, or third-party services after our own copy has been changed or removed.

Do not submit confidential information or personal information about another person unless you are authorized to do so and understand that publication may make the information publicly available.

Submission does not guarantee investigation, acceptance, publication, particular placement, continued availability, or compensation.

4. How We Use Information

We may use information to:

• Gather, prepare, publish, and archive journalism;
• Publish obituaries, advertisements, announcements, and community information;
• Process and administer subscriptions;
• Arrange print or digital delivery;
• Process payments and billing;
• Manage advertising relationships;
• Respond to inquiries and customer-service requests;
• Review correction, retraction, copyright, privacy, or legal complaints;
• Deliver newsletters and alerts;
• Operate text-message programs;
• Measure readership and engagement;
• Improve website performance and accessibility;
• Detect fraud, abuse, malware, and security incidents;
• Enforce applicable terms;
• Maintain records of consent and opt-out requests;
• Preserve records and evidence;
• Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims;
• Comply with legal obligations;
• Protect our rights and the safety of others; and
• Carry out purposes disclosed when information is collected.

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We and providers acting on our behalf may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, and similar technologies to:

• Operate website functions;
• Remember preferences;
• Measure traffic and readership;
• Analyze engagement;
• Detect errors;
• Maintain security;
• Prevent fraud;
• Deliver or measure advertising;
• Measure newsletter activity; and
• Improve our publications and services.

You may be able to block or delete cookies through your browser. Some features may not work properly when cookies are disabled.

Where required by applicable law, we may provide additional notices or consent controls.

6. Analytics, Advertising, and Online Activity

We may use analytics, measurement, and advertising providers. Depending on how those services are configured, they may collect or receive information including:

• IP address;
• Cookie or device identifiers;
• Browser and device information;
• Pages viewed;
• Referring URLs;
• Advertisement interactions; and
• Approximate location.

Advertising may be selected based on the content viewed, general geographic information, prior interactions, or information collected by an advertising provider.

Some privacy laws define “sale,” “sharing,” or “targeted advertising” broadly enough to include certain disclosures of online identifiers or activity even when no money is exchanged.

Where an applicable law gives you a right to opt out of a covered activity, we will provide a method to exercise that right.

The providers and technologies we use may change. Our public disclosures and consent controls should be interpreted according to the services actually in use at the time.

7. Payment Processing

Payments for subscriptions, advertisements, obituaries, or other services may be processed by third-party payment providers.

Those providers may collect:

• Payment-card information;
• Bank information;
• Billing addresses;
• Security codes; and
• Transaction details.

Their collection and processing are governed by their own terms and privacy practices.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, American Fork Citizen does not intend to store complete payment-card numbers on its own servers. We may retain limited transaction information such as:

• Payment status;
• Amount;
• Date;
• Product or service purchased;
• Billing name;
• Transaction reference; and
• A partial payment identifier.

8. Email Communications

If you subscribe to email communications, we may send:

• Newsletters;
• Breaking-news or community alerts;
• Subscription and delivery notices;
• Billing or account messages;
• Event information;
• Surveys;
• Promotional communications; and
• Other messages related to our publication or services.

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails through the link included in those messages.

An unsubscribe request may not stop non-marketing communications concerning:

• An active subscription;
• A payment or transaction;
• A correction or legal matter;
• Security;
• Customer service; or
• Another service you requested.

Our email provider may collect delivery, bounce, opening, and link-interaction information.

9. Text Messaging and SMS

We may operate more than one text-messaging program. The specific signup disclosure presented when you enroll controls the categories of messages you agree to receive.

9.1 Marketing Messages

If you expressly consent to marketing messages, we may send promotional offers, subscription promotions, sponsored opportunities, event promotions, and similar marketing communications.

Consent to marketing messages is not a condition of purchasing a product or service.

9.2 News and Event Alerts

If you enroll in news or event alerts, we may send breaking-news notices, community alerts, event information, publication updates, and related messages described during enrollment.

9.3 Transactional and Service Messages

If you provide a mobile number in connection with a transaction or service, we may send legally permitted non-marketing messages concerning:

• Your subscription;
• Delivery;
• Billing;
• Account activity;
• Customer service;
• An obituary or advertisement order;
• Security; or
• Another requested transaction.

Consent to one category of messages does not automatically constitute consent to unrelated marketing messages unless the enrollment disclosure clearly states otherwise and applicable law permits it.

9.4 General SMS Disclosures

Message frequency varies.

Message and data rates may apply.

You represent that you are the subscriber or customary user of the mobile number provided and are authorized to receive messages at that number.

You may opt out of a messaging program by replying STOP. We also honor other reasonable requests to revoke consent as required by applicable law.

After a valid opt-out request, you may receive one non-promotional confirmation message.

For assistance, reply HELP or contact us using the information below.

Wireless carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages. Delivery is subject to carrier and network availability and is not guaranteed.

If you change, transfer, deactivate, or relinquish your mobile number, you should opt out or notify us before doing so.

9.5 Mobile Information Non-Sharing Statement

We do not sell, rent, or share mobile telephone numbers, text-message opt-in data, or SMS consent with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

We may disclose mobile information to providers that assist us in operating the applicable messaging program, solely as needed to provide those services, or as required or permitted by law.

10. SMS Consent Records

Where appropriate, we or our providers may maintain records relating to SMS consent and communications, including:

• Mobile number;
• Date and time of consent;
• Program selected;
• Disclosure presented;
• Consent mechanism;
• Source page or form;
• Applicable terms version;
• Messages sent;
• Opt-out request; and
• Suppression status.

These records may be retained for compliance, dispute-resolution, and evidentiary purposes.

11. When We Disclose Information

We may disclose information to:

• Website hosting providers;
• Payment processors;
• Subscription and delivery vendors;
• Email and SMS providers;
• Analytics and measurement providers;
• Advertising service providers;
• Security and fraud-prevention vendors;
• Information-technology contractors;
• Professional advisers;
• Insurers;
• Contractors supporting our operations;
• Government authorities, courts, or law enforcement when legally required;
• Parties involved in investigating unlawful activity, abuse, fraud, or threats; and
• A purchaser, successor, lender, or adviser involved in a merger, financing, restructuring, or transfer of the business.

Where appropriate, we require service providers to handle information consistently with applicable law and their contractual obligations.

12. Sale and Sharing of Personal Information

We do not sell mobile numbers or SMS consent information for third-party marketing.

We do not ordinarily sell personal information in exchange for money.

As explained above, certain privacy laws may treat some advertising or analytics disclosures as a “sale” or “sharing.” Any legally required opt-out mechanism will apply according to the law governing the particular activity.

13. Third-Party Services and Embedded Content

The website may include:

• Third-party links;
• Embedded videos;
• Social-media posts;
• Maps;
• Payment interfaces;
• Forms;
• Advertisements; and
• Other third-party services.

Embedded content may function as though you visited the provider directly. A provider may collect information, use cookies, or track interactions under its own policies.

We do not control or guarantee third-party privacy, security, content, availability, or practices.

14. Information Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures designed to protect information.

No website, transmission, storage system, or security measure is completely secure. We cannot guarantee that information will never be accessed, disclosed, lost, or altered without authorization.

If a security incident involving personal information occurs, we will respond and provide legally required notice, if any.

15. Retention

Different information may be retained for different periods.

We may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Provide services;
• Maintain subscriptions and accounts;
• Complete transactions;
• Maintain consent and suppression records;
• Satisfy accounting, tax, legal, and regulatory requirements;
• Resolve disputes;
• Enforce agreements;
• Preserve evidence;
• Defend legal claims;
• Maintain editorial files; and
• Operate historical archives.

Published articles, obituaries, photographs, editorials, letters, advertisements, announcements, and public materials may be retained indefinitely for journalistic, historical, public-interest, or archival purposes.

Unpublished submissions may be retained where reasonably necessary for editorial review, records management, security, legal compliance, or evidentiary purposes. We do not promise to retain or return any submission unless separately agreed in writing.

16. Children’s Privacy

The website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under 13 without any consent required by law.

News and editorial content may identify or discuss minors when information is lawfully obtained and publication is consistent with applicable law and our editorial judgment.

A parent or guardian who believes a child under 13 has directly provided personal information through the website may contact us.

17. Privacy Rights

We provide privacy rights required by laws that apply to us.

The availability and scope of a right may depend on:

• Your jurisdiction;
• Whether the applicable law covers us;
• The nature of the information;
• How the information was obtained;
• The purpose for which it is maintained; and
• Applicable exemptions.

Depending on those factors, rights may include:

• Access;
• Correction;
• Deletion;
• Portability;
• Withdrawal of consent;
• Opt-out of certain sales, sharing, or targeted advertising;
• Appeal of certain decisions; and
• Protection from unlawful discrimination.

Rights may be limited by exceptions concerning:

• Journalism;
• Free expression;
• Public records;
• Legal claims;
• Security;
• Fraud prevention;
• Recordkeeping; and
• Information we are legally permitted or required to retain.

Requests may be submitted through the contact information below. We may request information reasonably necessary to verify identity and authority.

Privacy requests seeking deletion of consumer information are separate from editorial requests to correct, update, de-index, or remove published journalism.

18. Browser Signals

Some browsers transmit “Do Not Track” signals. Because there is no universally accepted response standard, the website may not respond to those signals.

Where applicable law requires recognition of a valid browser-based opt-out preference signal, we will process the signal as legally required for the browser or device from which it is received.

19. International Access

The website is operated from the United States.

If you access it from another country, information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other jurisdictions where our providers operate.

Those jurisdictions may have different privacy laws.

Part II: Website Terms of Use

20. Acceptance and Assent

These contractual Terms apply when:

• You use the website after receiving conspicuous notice that use is subject to them;
• You affirmatively check a box or select a button agreeing to them;
• You create an account governed by them;
• You submit content through a form that links to them;
• You purchase a subscription, advertisement, obituary, or other service under them; or
• You otherwise enter into an enforceable agreement incorporating them.

Important payment, renewal, submission, indemnification, liability, and dispute provisions should also be presented or referenced at the point of the applicable transaction.

21. Permitted Use

You may use publicly accessible website content for lawful personal and informational purposes, subject to these Terms.

You may not:

• Violate applicable law;
• Attempt unauthorized system or account access;
• Interfere with website security or operation;
• Introduce malware or harmful code;
• Circumvent paywalls, access controls, or security;
• Scrape or systematically extract content without authorization;
• Harvest personal information;
• Impersonate another person or organization;
• Submit fraudulent or materially misleading information;
• Threaten, stalk, or unlawfully harass another person;
• Publish private identifying information without authority;
• Infringe intellectual-property, privacy, publicity, or contractual rights;
• Resell or commercially exploit content without authorization; or
• Assist another person in engaging in prohibited conduct.

22. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, the website and its articles, photographs, videos, audio, graphics, logos, trademarks, headlines, page designs, databases, and compilations are owned by or licensed to Axio Publishing, LLC.

They are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws.

You may view and print reasonable portions of publicly accessible content for personal, non-commercial use.

Except as permitted by law, you may not reproduce, distribute, republish, sell, license, modify, systematically archive, scrape, publicly display, or commercially exploit content without prior written permission.

Linking to a publicly accessible article is generally permitted if the link:

• Does not bypass access controls;
• Does not falsely imply endorsement;
• Does not display our content in a misleading manner; and
• Does not otherwise violate applicable law.

23. Automated Access and Artificial Intelligence

Without prior written authorization, you may not systematically use website content, photographs, data, or archives to:

• Train or fine-tune an artificial-intelligence model;
• Build a commercial dataset;
• Create a substitute news publication or archive;
• Conduct large-scale automated extraction;
• Replicate our services; or
• Generate materially misleading synthetic content attributed to us.

Whether a particular automated use violates these Terms may depend on notice, assent, technical controls, licensing, and applicable law.

We may also use:

• Robots directives;
• Rate limits;
• Bot-management tools;
• Access controls;
• Account restrictions; and
• Other technical measures.

Ordinary search-engine indexing conducted in accordance with our technical instructions is not prohibited unless we communicate otherwise.

Part III: Purchases, Subscriptions, and Advertising

24. Subscriptions

Subscription availability, pricing, delivery area, duration, renewal status, and benefits will be shown at or before purchase.

By purchasing a subscription, you authorize us and our payment provider to charge the disclosed amount and applicable taxes.

You are responsible for maintaining accurate:

• Billing information;
• Delivery information;
• Email address;
• Telephone number; and
• Payment details.

We may:

• Correct pricing or billing errors;
• Suspend service for nonpayment;
• Modify delivery schedules;
• Provide substitute digital access;
• Extend a subscription following a qualifying service interruption;
• Change future prices after appropriate notice; and
• Refuse or cancel service where reasonably necessary.

25. Automatic Renewal

If a subscription renews automatically, the renewal terms must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed at enrollment.

The checkout disclosure should identify, as applicable:

• That the subscription automatically renews;
• The initial term;
• The renewal interval;
• The amount or method for calculating the renewal charge;
• The payment method to be charged;
• The renewal date;
• Available cancellation methods;
• The deadline for cancellation; and
• Any trial or promotional terms.

We will provide any renewal reminder or notice required by applicable law, including the renewal date, renewal cost, and cancellation options when those disclosures are legally required.

You may cancel through the method or methods disclosed at enrollment or subsequently made available.

Cancellation ordinarily prevents future renewal charges. It does not necessarily produce a prorated refund for a current subscription period unless stated at purchase or required by law.

A general reference to this page does not replace any separate, transaction-specific disclosure required at checkout.

26. Refunds and Service Remedies

Except as stated during purchase or required by law, payments are generally nonrefundable.

Depending on the circumstances, we may provide:

• A replacement delivery;
• A subscription extension;
• An account credit;
• A correction of duplicate billing; or
• A refund.

Nothing in this section limits rights arising from unauthorized charges, services not provided, legally required refunds, or an express written refund promise.

27. Advertising and Sponsored Content

We may accept advertisements, sponsorships, political advertising, classifieds, paid announcements, and sponsored content.

Purchasing advertising does not entitle an advertiser to:

• Editorial coverage;
• Favorable coverage;
• Editorial control;
• Suppression of unfavorable reporting;
• Particular placement unless agreed in writing; or
• Endorsement by American Fork Citizen.

We may identify paid material with labels such as:

• Advertisement;
• Sponsored;
• Paid Content; or
• Promoted.

We may reject, edit, postpone, suspend, or remove advertising for lawful editorial, technical, legal, ethical, reputational, or space-related reasons.

Advertisers represent that:

• Claims are truthful and adequately substantiated;
• Legally required disclosures are included;
• They possess necessary rights and permissions;
• The advertisement is not defamatory or unlawfully misleading;
• The material does not infringe another party’s rights;
• Endorsements and testimonials are lawful;
• Political disclosures are complete and accurate; and
• They are authorized to advertise the product, service, candidate, or organization.

We may request substantiation, licenses, releases, identity documents, or other supporting materials before publication.

Part IV: Editorial and Submitted Content

28. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are independent from advertising, subscription, sponsorship, donor, and commercial relationships.

Payment for an advertisement, obituary, announcement, sponsorship, or subscription does not guarantee:

• News coverage;
• Favorable treatment;
• Publication;
• Continued publication;
• Particular placement; or
• Editorial approval.

We retain editorial discretion over:

• Publication;
• Placement;
• Headlines;
• Captions;
• Photographs;
• Editing;
• Updates;
• Corrections;
• Retractions;
• Archives;
• De-indexing;
• Removal;
• Comment moderation; and
• Promotion through social media or newsletters.

29. News, Allegations, and Opinions

News reports may discuss:

• Allegations;
• Investigations;
• Arrests;
• Criminal charges;
• Lawsuits;
• Government proceedings;
• Public records; and
• Statements made by others.

An arrest, charge, allegation, investigation, or lawsuit is not a determination of guilt or civil liability.

Commentary, editorials, reviews, columns, letters, and reader submissions may contain views attributable to their authors. Those views do not necessarily represent American Fork Citizen.

Labeling material “opinion” does not automatically determine its legal character. Factual assertions within opinion content remain subject to applicable legal and editorial standards.

30. Accuracy and Developing Stories

We seek to publish accurate and fair information, but journalism may develop over time.

Earlier reporting may not reflect later events, including:

• Dismissal;
• Acquittal;
• Settlement;
• Reversal;
• Expungement;
• Correction;
• New evidence; or
• A subsequent public statement.

Archived content may remain available without continuous updating.

Publication dates, update notices, corrections, and editor’s notes should be considered when evaluating older material.

Website content is not legal, financial, medical, tax, investment, emergency, or other professional advice.

31. Submitted Content

“Submitted Content” includes:

• Letters;
• Photographs;
• Video and audio;
• Reader comments;
• News tips;
• Press releases;
• Obituaries;
• Advertisements;
• Announcements;
• Event information;
• Documents; and
• Other material provided for review or publication.

By submitting content through a process that provides conspicuous notice of these Terms, you represent that:

• You are at least 18 or have appropriate permission;
• The information is accurate to the best of your knowledge;
• You have taken reasonable steps to verify factual claims;
• You own the material or have permission to submit it;
• You have authority to identify or provide information about persons named or depicted;
• You are not knowingly submitting false factual claims;
• The content is not unlawfully defamatory or threatening;
• The content does not unlawfully invade privacy or publicity rights;
• The content does not infringe copyright, trademark, contractual, or other rights;
• The content does not contain unlawfully obtained confidential material;
• The content does not violate a court order, seal, or confidentiality obligation;
• Material sponsorship, compensation, conflicts, and synthetic-media use have been disclosed;
• Necessary permissions for photographs, music, artwork, and third-party content have been obtained; and
• Our authorized use will not violate another person’s rights.

32. License for Submitted Content

For content affirmatively submitted for publication under these Terms, you grant us a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

• Review;
• Verify;
• Edit;
• Reproduce;
• Publish;
• Display;
• Distribute;
• Archive;
• Format;
• Create reasonable excerpts;
• Correct;
• Update; and
• Promote the publication in which the content appears or our journalism generally.

This license applies across print, website, email, social media, archival, and related publication formats.

The license continues for materials retained in our archives.

You retain ownership of rights you held before submission.

We will not rely on this general license to use a private individual’s submitted photograph or testimonial in an unrelated commercial endorsement without separate permission where legally required.

This license does not apply to complete payment-card information or material submitted solely for a private legal, privacy, or customer-service purpose, except as needed to process, investigate, preserve, or respond to it.

33. No Publication or Confidentiality Obligation

Receipt of a submission does not require us to:

• Publish it;
• Investigate it;
• Acknowledge it;
• Respond to it;
• Preserve it indefinitely;
• Return it;
• Compensate the submitter; or
• Keep it confidential.

We may contact persons identified in a submission to verify information or request comment.

Nothing in this section permits destruction of records when preservation is required by law or when litigation is reasonably anticipated.

34. News Tips and Confidential Sources

Submitting a tip does not create an attorney-client, fiduciary, employment, agency, or other special relationship.

We do not promise anonymity, confidentiality, source protection, or off-the-record treatment unless an authorized representative expressly agrees to it.

Do not use a general website form or ordinary email to send material whose disclosure could create an immediate safety risk.

35. Obituaries and Memorial Notices

A person submitting an obituary or memorial represents that the person is authorized by:

• The deceased person’s estate;
• An authorized family representative;
• A funeral provider acting with authority; or
• Another person with documented responsibility for the submission.

We may require:

• Identification;
• Funeral-home confirmation;
• Estate documentation;
• Written family authorization;
• Copyright permission; or
• Other evidence of authority.

We may delay or suspend publication when a credible dispute exists regarding authorization, accuracy, family relationships, photographs, or service details.

The submitter is responsible for the accuracy and authorization of:

• Names;
• Dates;
• Relationships;
• Photographs;
• Biographical claims;
• Service details;
• Locations; and
• Third-party material.

Payment does not guarantee publication of material that is unlawful, infringing, misleading, disputed, or inconsistent with our standards.

36. Reader Comments and Community Areas

If reader comments or community areas are offered, you may not submit content that:

• Contains knowingly false factual allegations;
• Is unlawfully defamatory;
• Threatens or targets another person;
• Publishes private identifying information without authority;
• Encourages unlawful violence;
• Impersonates another person;
• Infringes intellectual-property rights;
• Contains malware;
• Constitutes spam or undisclosed promotion;
• Violates a court order or legal duty;
• Contains unlawful sexual-exploitation material; or
• Presents materially manipulated media as authentic in a misleading manner.

We are not obligated to review every submission before publication.

We may moderate, edit, preserve, restrict, disclose, or remove content where appropriate or legally required.

A decision not to remove content does not constitute endorsement.

37. Artificial Intelligence and Synthetic Submissions

Material created or materially altered through artificial intelligence, voice cloning, deepfake technology, image generation, or another synthetic-media tool must be disclosed when submitted for publication.

You may not submit:

• Fabricated quotations;
• Synthetic documentary images represented as authentic;
• Unauthorized impersonations;
• Manipulated recordings presented deceptively; or
• Material intended to mislead readers about its source, subject, or authenticity.

We may label, investigate, reject, or remove synthetic material.

Part V: Corrections, Retractions, and Copyright

38. Corrections and Updates

A correction request should include:

• Requester’s name and contact information;
• Article title;
• Publication date;
• URL;
• Exact statement, image, headline, caption, or passage at issue;
• Explanation of the alleged error;
• Requested correction; and
• Supporting documentation.

We may investigate and, depending on the circumstances:

• Correct;
• Clarify;
• Update;
• Append an editor’s note;
• Retract;
• Remove;
• De-index; or
• Decline to modify the material.

The submission of a complaint does not establish that content is false or unlawful.

39. Defamation and Retraction Notices

A person asserting that content is defamatory, materially false, or otherwise legally actionable should send a detailed written notice to our designated legal-notice contact.

The notice should include:

• Claimant’s full legal name;
• Contact information;
• Identity and authority of any representative;
• Article title, date, and URL;
• Each exact statement or item challenged;
• Factual and legal basis for the objection;
• Requested correction or retraction;
• Supporting documentation; and
• Any asserted statutory deadline.

Send correspondence to:

Legal Notices and Retraction Requests
Axio Publishing, LLC
Doing Business As American Fork Citizen
1132 N 1050 E American Fork, UT 84003
[email protected]
801-855-6640

The listed email address accepts correspondence and informal notices. It does not constitute consent to service of process by email unless we expressly agree in writing or applicable law provides otherwise.

This voluntary process does not replace or modify any statutory notice, service, or retraction procedure. Matters potentially governed by Utah’s newspaper-retraction statute will be evaluated under the statute’s specific notice, timing, placement, and publication requirements.

We reserve all constitutional, statutory, common-law, journalistic, and other rights, defenses, immunities, and privileges.

40. Copyright Complaints

If you believe website content infringes your copyright, you may send a notice to the designated copyright contact listed below.

A notice should include the information required by applicable law, including:

1. A physical or electronic signature;
2. Identification of the copyrighted work;
3. Identification and location of the challenged material;
4. Contact information;
5. A statement of good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized; and
6. A statement under penalty of perjury that the notice is accurate and the sender is authorized to act.

Send notices to:

Designated Copyright Contact
Axio Publishing, LLC
Doing Business as American Fork Citizen
1132 N 1050 E American Fork, UT 84003
[email protected]
801-855-6640

We may remove or restrict access to challenged content and notify its submitter.

A counter-notification may be submitted where permitted by applicable copyright law.

We may restrict repeat infringers in appropriate circumstances.

A person who knowingly makes a material misrepresentation in a notice or counter-notice may face liability under applicable law.

This section is not a representation that American Fork Citizen qualifies for a particular statutory safe harbor. A DMCA agent should be described as “designated” only after the agent has been properly registered and the registration is current.

Part VI: Disclaimers and Allocation of Risk

41. Third-Party Content

Advertisements, comments, letters, press releases, obituaries, sponsored content, embedded posts, and other third-party materials are attributable to their respective authors, advertisers, or submitters.

They do not necessarily reflect our views.

We do not guarantee every statement, product, service, promise, or transaction offered by another party.

42. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the website, publications, communications, archives, and services are provided “as is” and “as available.”

For users who are legally bound by these contractual Terms, we disclaim implied warranties to the extent legally permitted, including:

• Merchantability;
• Fitness for a particular purpose;
• Title;
• Non-infringement;
• Accuracy;
• Availability;
• Security; and
• Uninterrupted operation.

We do not warrant that:

• The website will always be available;
• All content will be error-free;
• Messages or publications will always be delivered;
• Third-party links will be secure;
• Defects will be corrected immediately; or
• The website will be free of harmful components.

Nothing in this section excludes a right, warranty, or remedy that cannot legally be excluded.

43. Limitation of Liability

This section applies only to claims by a user who is legally bound by these contractual Terms.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from:

• Use of or inability to use the website;
• Service interruption;
• Loss of data;
• Third-party conduct;
• Unauthorized access;
• Advertising offers;
• User submissions; or
• Delivery delays.

For a contractual claim arising directly from a paid service, our aggregate contractual liability will not exceed the amount the claimant paid us for the specific service giving rise to the claim during the six months preceding the event.

This contractual limitation does not purport to bind:

• A person who did not assent to it;
• A person solely because the person is mentioned in an article;
• A non-user asserting an independent legal right; or
• A claim that applicable law does not permit us to limit.

The limitation does not apply to willful misconduct or another category of liability that applicable law prohibits us from limiting.

44. Indemnification

This section applies to:

• Advertisers;
• Sponsors;
• Commercial contributors;
• Persons purchasing publication services; and
• Persons submitting content through a process that conspicuously requires acceptance of these Terms.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, such a person agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Axio Publishing, LLC, American Fork Citizen, and their officers, employees, and contractors from third-party claims, damages, losses, and reasonable legal expenses arising from:

• A material violation of these Terms;
• A materially false representation by the submitter;
• Submitted Content;
• An advertisement or sponsored item;
• Copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other infringement caused by submitted material;
• Unlawful defamation or false light caused by submitted material; or
• Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information by the submitter.

This indemnity does not apply to the extent a claim results from:

• Our material alteration of the submission;
• Material content independently added by us;
• Our willful misconduct; or
• Another matter for which indemnification cannot legally be required.

We will provide reasonable notice of a covered claim when practical.

We may participate in or control the defense with counsel reasonably selected by us. The indemnifying party must reasonably cooperate.

No settlement may impose an admission, payment obligation, or continuing duty on another party without that party’s written consent.

This section survives completion of the applicable transaction.

Part VII: Enforcement and General Terms

45. Enforcement

We may suspend access, reject submissions, remove content, cancel an account, or restrict participation when we reasonably believe a person has:

• Violated applicable terms;
• Created legal or security risk;
• Failed to pay amounts due;
• Abused website systems;
• Submitted fraudulent information; or
• Threatened the safety or rights of another person.

We may preserve or disclose records as permitted or required by law.

46. Governing Law and Venue

For users who are contractually bound by these Terms, the contractual relationship is governed by Utah law, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

To the extent legally enforceable and applicable to a contractual dispute, the parties consent to the state and federal courts having jurisdiction in Utah County, Utah.

This section does not:

• Bind a person who did not assent;
• Override a legally mandatory forum;
• Prevent a party from seeking relief elsewhere when applicable law requires it; or
• Purport to determine venue for every noncontractual claim.

47. No Waiver

Failure to enforce a provision does not waive the right to enforce it later.

A waiver is effective only if made in writing by an authorized representative.

48. Severability

If a contractual provision is found invalid or unenforceable, it will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted, and the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

49. Assignment

A user may not assign contractual rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent.

We may assign rights and obligations in connection with a merger, financing, restructuring, sale of assets, or transfer of the business.

50. Entire Agreement

For a user who affirmatively accepts these Terms, this document and any applicable transaction-specific terms form the agreement concerning the covered service.

A separately signed agreement controls over inconsistent general terms.

51. Changes

We may update this document periodically.

The revised version will display a new “Last Updated” date.

Privacy changes apply as permitted by law. When required, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before materially changing how previously collected information is used.

Contractual changes ordinarily apply prospectively. Material changes affecting an existing paid service may be communicated through an additional notice where appropriate or legally required.

Continued use may constitute acceptance only where legally sufficient notice and assent exist.

52. Electronic Communications

When you conduct a transaction electronically, you consent to receive legally permitted notices, receipts, disclosures, and communications electronically.

You are responsible for keeping your contact information current.

53. Survival

Provisions that by their nature should continue after a transaction or account ends will survive, including:

• Intellectual-property provisions;
• Licenses for published submissions;
• Payment obligations;
• Warranty disclaimers;
• Contractual liability limits;
• Indemnification;
• Governing law; and
• Record-retention provisions.

54. Contact Information

Questions, privacy requests, editorial concerns, and general inquiries may be directed to:

Axio Publishing, LLC
Doing Business As American Fork Citizen
Website: AFCitizen.com
1132 N 1050 E American Fork, UT 84003
[email protected]
801-855-6640

Do not send complete payment-card information, Social Security numbers, medical records, government-identification documents, or highly sensitive source material through an unsecured general email account.