Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Smith Cove Society ("we," "us") collects, uses, shares, and protects information through our website (the "Site").

2.1 Information You Provide

• Registration/Neighbor verification: name, home address, email address, phone number, and proof of residency documentation.
• Directory information: name, photo, and any additional details you choose to add to your Meet Your Neighbors profile.
• Marketplace listings: item descriptions, photos, and category information. Contact information is not published automatically (see Section 4).
• Photos: images you upload to What's Happening in the Hood, which may depict you or other individuals.
• Community content: notices, charitable cause posts, comments, or messages you submit.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Standard web analytics (pages visited, browser type, approximate location via IP) [update to match your actual analytics tooling].
• Cookies or similar technologies used for login sessions and site functionality [update if you use additional tracking/advertising cookies].

We use collected information to:

• Verify and administer Neighbor status;
• Operate the Marketplace, directory, photo galleries, and other features;
• Route contact-permission requests (see Section 4);
• Moderate content for compliance with our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines;
• Communicate Site updates, notices, or administrative messages;
• Maintain the security and integrity of the Site.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Smith Cove Society uses a permission-based contact model:

• Your name, email, and phone number are not displayed publicly or to other Neighbors by default.
• When another Neighbor expresses interest in your Marketplace listing (or another gated feature requiring contact), we notify you and ask whether you consent to share your name, email, and phone number with that specific requester.
• Your contact information is disclosed only if you affirmatively consent to that specific request. You may decline without consequence.

Photo galleries are restricted to Neighbors only. If you appear in a photo (or your minor child does) and would like it removed, contact [MODERATOR CONTACT] and we will remove it promptly.

The Site is intended for use by adults (18+). We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children. Photos of minors may appear in community event galleries when posted by a parent/guardian or with parental consent, consistent with our Terms of Service. Parents/guardians may request removal of any photo depicting their child at any time.

We take reasonable measures to protect your information, including restricting sensitive data (such as the resident directory and contact information) to verified, logged-in Neighbors, and applying access controls at the database level. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We retain your information for as long as your Neighbor account is active, or as needed to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. You may request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting [CONTACT EMAIL], subject to any records we are required to retain.

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal information, or to opt out of certain data uses. To exercise these rights, contact [CONTACT EMAIL]. [An attorney should confirm which specific rights apply based on applicable state law and add required disclosures, e.g., a "Do Not Sell/Share" notice if California residents are covered by CCPA/CPRA.]

Vendor Village listings link to third-party businesses. Those businesses have their own privacy practices, and this Policy does not cover how they handle any information you provide directly to them.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be [posted on the Site / communicated via email].

Questions about this Privacy Policy or requests regarding your data should be directed to [CONTACT EMAIL / MODERATOR CONTACT].