Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Our Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Privacy

Pronoun Book ("we," "us," or "the Platform") is committed to protecting your privacy and creating a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to express their gender identity and pronouns. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our service.

We understand that pronoun and gender identity information is deeply personal and potentially sensitive. We are committed to protecting this information and will never share, sell, or misuse data related to your gender expression, pronoun preferences, or identity exploration. Your safety and privacy are our highest priorities.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Username, email address (optional), password (encrypted), and birth year
• Gender Identity Information: Display name, bio, profile picture, pronoun preferences (including alternative and coined pronouns), and gender expression details. This information is protected and used solely to support your authentic self-expression within our community.
• Content: Posts, comments, likes, and other user-generated content
• Location Data: Precise location (latitude/longitude) for Texas resident badge verification (collected only when you explicitly request verification)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, and interaction patterns
• Device Information: Browser type, IP address, and device identifiers
• Session Data: Login times and session duration

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Platform
• Create and manage your account
• Verify eligibility for badges (e.g., Founder, Texas Resident, CEO)
• Enable social features (following, posts, comments)
• Send password reset emails and important account notifications
• Moderate content and enforce our Terms of Service
• Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
• Respond to user inquiries and support requests

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do NOT sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Public Information

Your username, profile picture, bio, pinned pronouns, and public posts are visible to all users. Pinned pronouns remain public even if your profile is set to private.

4.2 Followers-Only Content

Posts marked "Followers Only" are visible only to your approved followers and yourself. Private profiles hide posts, profile pictures, and bios from non-followers.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Platform, our users, or others.

4.4 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating the Platform (e.g., hosting, email delivery). These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Passwords are encrypted using bcrypt hashing
• Secure HTTPS connections for all data transmission
• Session-based authentication with secure cookies
• Regular security audits and updates

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: View the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Update or correct your account information in Settings
• Deletion: Delete your posts, coined pronouns, and deactivate your account
• Privacy Controls: Set your profile to private and control post visibility
• Opt-Out: Decline optional data collection (e.g., location verification)

7. Age Requirement

The Platform is intended exclusively for users aged 18 and older. This is an adult-only social network:

• We require users to verify they are at least 18 years old during registration
• We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18
• We reserve the right to verify age and terminate accounts that do not meet the minimum age requirement

If you believe a user under 18 has registered, please contact us immediately at [email protected]

8. Location Data

We collect precise location data (latitude/longitude) ONLY when you explicitly request Texas resident badge verification. This data is:

• Collected with your explicit consent via browser geolocation
• Used solely to verify you are physically located in Texas
• Stored with a verification timestamp
• Automatically expired after 365 days (1 year), requiring re-verification
• Not shared with third parties or used for tracking

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use session cookies to maintain your login state. These cookies:

• Expire when you close your browser (session-only)
• Are essential for Platform functionality
• Do not track you across other websites

We also use localStorage to remember your username if you check "Remember username" during login.

10. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. When you deactivate your account:

• Your profile and posts are removed from public view
• Some information may be retained for legal compliance or dispute resolution
• Backup copies may persist for a limited time

11. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. Please review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify users of significant changes by posting the updated policy with a new "Last Updated" date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, contact us at:

Email: [email protected]

Platform: Pronoun Book

14. Your Consent

By using the Platform, you consent to this Privacy Policy and our collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.