Effective Date: March 15, 2022
Last Updated: January 9, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how CognoGroup, Inc., a Colorado corporation doing business as Mediabistro (“Mediabistro,” “we,” “us”), collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you access or use www.mediabistro.com and any related websites, applications, products, or services operated by Mediabistro (collectively, the “Services”).
Mediabistro is a website owned and operated by CognoGroup, Inc.
Contact Information
Email: support@mediabistro.com
Address: 123 Farmington Avenue, Suite 252, Bristol, CT 06010
By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge and agree to this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms of Use and, if applicable, our Job Board Terms of Service, which govern contractual rights and obligations.
1. Scope and Roles
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Services, including visitors, registered users, job seekers, and employers.
- Mediabistro operates the Services as a technology platform.
- Employers using the Services act as independent controllers of applicant and candidate information they receive.
- Mediabistro does not control employers’ hiring decisions, employment practices, or downstream data handling.
Where applicable, Mediabistro acts as a service provider or processor with respect to employer-submitted job applications and candidate data, and as an independent controller for its own platform operations.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
We may collect information you voluntarily provide, including:
- Account information such as name, email address, and login credentials
- Profile and resume information submitted by job seekers
- Job application materials submitted through the Services
- Employer account information and job posting details
- Billing and payment information, processed by third-party payment providers
- Communications with Mediabistro, including support requests and inquiries
You are not anonymous to us when you create an account, submit content, apply for jobs, or otherwise interact with the Services in a logged-in or identified manner.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you access the Services, we automatically collect certain information, including:
- Internet Protocol address
- Device identifiers and browser characteristics
- Operating system and device type
- Pages viewed, links clicked, and usage patterns
- Date and time of access
- Referring and exit URLs
This information is collected through cookies, pixels, server logs, local storage, and similar technologies.
2.3 Cookies and Similar Technologies
Mediabistro uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Enable core functionality and account access
- Maintain user preferences and session state
- Analyze usage and performance of the Services
- Support security, fraud prevention, and abuse detection
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain features or functionality of the Services.
3. How We Use Information
We use collected information to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain the Services
- Create and manage user and employer accounts
- Enable job postings, applications, and related workflows
- Deliver job alerts, newsletters, and service-related communications
- Process subscriptions, payments, and transactions
- Respond to inquiries and provide customer support
- Improve, analyze, and optimize the Services
- Detect, prevent, and investigate fraud, misuse, or security incidents
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our agreements
4. How We Share Information
Mediabistro does not sell personal information.
We may disclose information in the following circumstances:
4.1 With Employers
When a job seeker applies for a job or makes a profile or resume available, relevant information is shared with the employer associated with that job or search. Employers are responsible for their own use, retention, and protection of such information.
4.2 Service Providers
We may share information with third-party vendors and service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, payment processing, communications delivery, and customer support. These providers are authorized to use information only as necessary to perform services for Mediabistro and are subject to confidentiality obligations.
4.3 Legal and Compliance Purposes
We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, subpoena, court order, or governmental request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, safety, or security of Mediabistro, our users, or others.
4.4 Corporate Transactions
Information may be disclosed in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of all or part of Mediabistro’s business or assets.
5. Job Seeker Visibility and Distribution
- Job seekers may control certain visibility settings through their accounts.
- Job application information is shared with the employer receiving the application.
- Public or searchable resumes may be viewed by employers and indexed by search engines.
- Once information is shared with employers or distributed through third-party channels, Mediabistro may not be able to retrieve or delete all copies.
6. Employer Data Responsibilities
Employers receiving personal information through the Services are responsible for:
- Compliance with applicable employment, privacy, and data protection laws
- Implementing reasonable security safeguards
- Using applicant information solely for legitimate employment purposes
- Responding to applicable data subject requests
Mediabistro is not responsible for employers’ independent data practices.
7. Analytics, Advertising, and Third-Party Services
We may use analytics tools to understand how users interact with the Services and to improve performance and functionality. These tools may collect usage and device information.
The Services may link to third-party websites or services. Mediabistro is not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties, and their policies govern your interactions with them.
8. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Processing
Mediabistro does not permit third parties to use personal information obtained from the Services to train or develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without express authorization.
Mediabistro may use limited automated or algorithmic processes internally to support features such as job recommendations, matching, fraud detection, or system optimization, consistent with this Privacy Policy.
9. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide and operate the Services
- Fulfill contractual obligations
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
Retention periods vary depending on the nature of the data and applicable legal requirements.
10. Data Security
Mediabistro implements reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
You use the Services and provide information at your own risk.
11. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, including U.S. state privacy laws such as those in California, Connecticut, Colorado, Virginia, and Utah, you may have rights to:
- Access personal information we maintain about you
- Request correction or updating of information
- Request deletion of certain information
- Opt out of marketing communications
- Object to or restrict certain processing
Requests may be submitted to support@mediabistro.com. We may require verification of your identity before fulfilling requests. Certain requests may be limited where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
12. Children’s Privacy
The Services are not directed to children under the age of 16, and Mediabistro does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe such information has been collected, please contact us.
13. International Users
The Services are operated from the United States. If you access the Services from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, processed, and stored in the United States or other jurisdictions with different data protection laws.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last Updated” date reflects the effective date of the current version. Continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
15. How to Contact Us
For questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or Mediabistro’s privacy practices, contact:
Mediabistro
Email: legal@mediabistro.com
Address: 123 Farmington Avenue, Suite 252
Bristol, CT 06010