Privacy Policy
Last Updated: January 2025
Your Privacy Matters
The CARE Collective is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data.
1. Information We Collect
Account Information
When you create an account, we collect:
- Name
- Email address
- General location (city/region)
- Password (encrypted)
Platform Activity
As you use the platform, we collect:
- Help requests you post
- Messages you send to other members
- Your responses to help requests
- Account preferences and settings
Technical Information
We automatically collect certain technical data:
- IP address and browser type
- Device information
- Usage patterns and navigation data
- Login timestamps
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Operate and maintain the CARE Collective platform
- Connect you with community members for mutual assistance
- Facilitate secure messaging between members
- Send important platform updates and notifications
- Improve the platform and develop new features
- Monitor for safety and prevent misuse
- Comply with legal obligations
We will never sell your personal information to third parties.
3. Contact Information Sharing
Your contact information is NEVER shared publicly.
Contact information (email, phone) is only shared when:
- You explicitly choose to offer help on a request
- You accept help from another member
- Both parties have consented to the connection
You maintain full control over when and how your contact information is shared. You can manage your privacy settings from your Privacy Dashboard (requires login).
4. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data:
- Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS)
- Secure password storage with hashing
- Regular security updates and monitoring
- Access controls and authentication
- Secure database infrastructure
While we take extensive precautions, no system is 100% secure. We encourage you to:
- Use a strong, unique password
- Never share your login credentials
- Log out when using shared devices
- Report any suspicious activity immediately
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to:
- Provide you with platform services
- Maintain accurate records for safety and accountability
- Comply with legal requirements
If you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we're required to retain certain data for legal or safety purposes.
6. Your Privacy Rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we have about you
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Opt out of non-essential communications
- Export your data in a portable format
- Control how your contact information is shared
To exercise these rights, visit your Privacy Dashboard or contact the CARE Collective administrator.
7. Third-Party Services
The CARE Collective uses the following third-party services:
- Supabase: Authentication and database hosting
- Vercel: Website hosting and deployment
These services have their own privacy policies and security measures. We carefully select partners who prioritize data protection and privacy.
8. Children's Privacy
The CARE Collective is not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will delete it promptly.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Notify active users via email or platform notification
- Post the updated policy on this page
Your continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
10. Questions and Concerns
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact:
CARE Collective Privacy Officer
Dr. Maureen Templeman
Missouri State University
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact the CARE Collective administrator.
By using the CARE Collective, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to our data practices as described.