1. Information We Collect
a. Information You Provide Directly
- Account registration details (name, email, phone number, password).
- Profile details (photo, bio, social links, community memberships).
- Event registrations, RSVPs, and membership subscriptions.
- Messages and content you share within Communities, including direct messages and group chat messages. Message content and metadata (timestamps, read receipts) are stored to operate the messaging features.
- Payment information when you purchase tickets, memberships, or other services. Full payment card details are handled by Stripe and are not stored on our servers.
b. Information Collected Automatically
- Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system, app version).
- Usage information (pages visited, features used, session duration).
- Cookies and tracking technologies (to remember preferences and improve performance).
- Real-time presence data (online/offline status) while you are actively using the platform. This is used solely to power the messaging presence indicator and is not stored long-term.
c. Information from Third Parties
- Social media integrations (if you link accounts).
- Payment processors and partners (limited to what's needed to complete transactions).
- Authentication providers (e.g., Clerk) used to verify your identity during sign-in.
2. How We Use Your Information
- Provide, operate, and improve the Services.
- Process transactions and send receipts or invoices.
- Personalize your experience (e.g., event recommendations, community content).
- Send important notices (policy updates, security alerts, service changes).
- Send marketing communications, including SMS notifications (only with your express consent).
- Operate and deliver real-time messaging features including direct messages and community group chats.
- Display online presence indicators to other users in shared conversations.
- Monitor and enhance platform security and prevent fraud.
- Respond to abuse reports and enforce these Terms of Service.
3. How We Share Information
- With other members: Certain profile details, posts, and messages are visible to other users by design. Messages sent in a community group chat are visible to all active members of that community. Direct messages are visible only to the two participants.
- With service providers: Payment processors (Stripe), hosting providers, real-time infrastructure providers (Pusher, for messaging), and cloud database providers. These partners are contractually bound to protect your data.
- For legal reasons: To comply with applicable law, enforce agreements, or protect the rights and safety of our users and the public.
- With community administrators: Community admins and owners can moderate group chat content within their communities. They cannot access your direct messages.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
4. Messaging & Chat Data
Community Connect provides direct one-on-one messaging and community group chats. Here is how we handle that data:
- Direct messages are private between two users. We do not actively monitor private message content but may review messages when a valid abuse report is submitted.
- Group chat messages are visible to all active members of the associated community. When you leave a community, you lose access to the group chat, but your previously sent messages may remain visible to remaining members.
- Message metadata (timestamps, read receipts, sender information) is stored to operate the messaging features and provide delivery confirmation.
- Message retention: Messages are retained as long as your account is active or as required by law. Upon account deletion, your messages may be anonymized or removed subject to our data retention obligations.
- Message content is transmitted over encrypted connections (TLS). We do not use end-to-end encryption, meaning messages may be accessible to Community Connect staff for safety and moderation purposes.
5. SMS Messaging & Privacy
We are committed to protecting your privacy regarding our SMS notification program.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
- Usage: We use your phone number only to deliver the specific event alerts and updates you have opted to receive.
- Opt-out: Reply "STOP" to any text message at any time to unsubscribe. You can also update your preferences in your profile settings.
- Security: Your mobile data is stored in encrypted databases to prevent unauthorized access.
6. Your Choices and Rights
- Access, update, or delete your account information at any time from your profile settings.
- Opt out of marketing emails via the unsubscribe link in each message.
- Opt out of SMS: Reply "STOP" to any text or update your profile settings.
- Block other users from sending you direct messages.
- Control cookies through your browser or device settings.
- Request a copy of your personal data or ask us to erase it (subject to legal retention requirements) by emailing info@cconnect.vip.
- If you are located in the EU/EEA, you have additional rights under the GDPR including the right to object to processing and the right to data portability. Contact us to exercise these rights.
7. Data Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data, including encrypted database storage, TLS encryption for data in transit, and access controls that limit who can view your information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We encourage you to use a strong, unique password and to keep your credentials confidential.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Message data is retained for the duration of your account. If you delete your account, we will remove or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable period, except where retention is required by law.
9. Children's Privacy
Our Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal data, we will take steps to delete it. If you believe a child has registered on our platform, please contact us at info@cconnect.vip.
10. International Users
Community Connect is operated in the United States. By using our Services, you acknowledge that your data may be transferred to and stored in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. If you are located in the EU/EEA, we rely on standard contractual clauses and other appropriate safeguards for international data transfers.
11. Cookies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate the platform, remember your preferences, and analyze usage. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings, but doing so may affect the functionality of certain features including authentication and chat.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. For material changes, we will notify you by email or via a prominent notice on the platform at least 7 days before the change takes effect. The updated "Effective Date" at the top of this page reflects the date of the latest revision. Continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your data rights, or need to report a privacy concern, please contact us:
Email: info@cconnect.vip
