Privacy Policy

1. Age Requirement

The Platform is restricted to individuals 18 years of age or older. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this requirement. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18, and any account found to belong to a minor will be terminated and associated data deleted.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following information directly from you:

• Name
• Birthdate (used solely to verify the age requirement above)
• Email address
• Content you submit — including photos, videos, descriptions, and any other material provided in connection with your use of the Platform

3. Payment Information

All payments are processed through Stripe. We do not collect, transmit to our own servers, or store any credit card, banking, or payment credential information. Stripe's handling of your payment data is governed by Stripe's own privacy policy and terms.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected to:

• Operate your membership account and maintain your standing on the Platform
• Process submissions, scoring, badges, and related features
• Communicate with you regarding your account, submissions, or support requests
• Maintain the security and integrity of the Platform

5. We Do Not Sell or Share Your Data

We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise give away your personal information to any third party, for any reason, at any time. This applies to your name, birthdate, email, submitted content, and any other personal data we hold.

6. Third-Party Service Providers

We use limited third-party services necessary to operate the Platform (for example, Stripe for payment processing, and providers supporting card fulfillment or merchandise fulfillment). These providers receive only the information necessary to perform their specific function.

We do not control, and are not responsible for, how these third-party providers independently handle, store, or use data once it is in their possession, subject to their own privacy policies and terms. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party service that processes your information on our behalf.

7. Law Enforcement Requests

We do not disclose member information to law enforcement or government entities absent a valid warrant, subpoena, or other legally binding order compelling disclosure. We will notify affected members of such a request where we are legally permitted to do so.

8. Data Retention

We retain your account information and submitted content for as long as your account remains active, and as reasonably necessary thereafter to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

9. Your Rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information by contacting The Council, subject to our legal and legitimate business retention needs.

10. California Residents — Your CCPA Rights

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), provides you with specific rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Know — You may request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the sources of that information, and the purposes for which it is used.
• Right to Delete — You may request deletion of personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain legal exceptions.
• Right to Correct — You may request correction of inaccurate personal information we maintain about you.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale or Sharing — We do not sell or share your personal information, so there is nothing to opt out of. This applies at all times, without exception.
• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information — We do not use sensitive personal information for purposes beyond what is necessary to provide the Platform.
• Right to Non-Discrimination — We will not deny you services, charge you a different price, or provide a different level of service because you exercised any of your CCPA rights.

To exercise any of these rights, contact The Council with the subject line "CCPA Request." We will verify your identity before processing your request and will respond within the timeframe required by law.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by an updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

12. Contact Us

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to The Council.