Curlie Privacy Policy
Incorporated in Texas, USA, Curlie Project Inc. operates the website https://curlie.org, known as Curlie, which will be referred to in this document as the Service.
If you choose to use our Service, then you agree to the collection and use of information in relation with this policy. The Personal Information that we collect is used solely to provide and improve the Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy.
The terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions and in our License unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy. In the case of conflicting statements, this document has precedence. In the case of translations, the US English versions always have precedence.
What personal data we collect and why we collect it:
Website Access Logs
Whenever you visit our Service, we collect information that your browser sends to us that is called access log data. All access to the Curlie website is logged. The access logs include the originating IP address and, depending on your browser settings, may also identify the browser used and the referring page. We use this information, which does not directly identify individual users, to analyze trends, to administer the site, to track users movements around the site and to gather demographic information about our user base as a whole. We do not link this automatically-collected data to personally identifiable information. Logs are maintained for no longer than one year. The website may use third-party analytics services to track the interaction between users and the site. The data collected is not normally identifiable, but indicates visitors’ behavior on the site. It is used to improve the site’s efficiency and interaction with visitors.
We do not share log data with outside parties.
For the general public using Curlie strictly as an informational resource, the access logs are the only form of data collected. For those who use Curlie in a more interactive manner, additional data is collected. Our policies are different depending on whether you are (applying to become) a Curlie editor (see “Editor Information” below), or providing information to Curlie without seeking to become an editor (see “Non-Editor Information” below).
Non-Editor Information
Curlie invites the public to contribute to the directory by providing information to us on various web forms. Examples include forms to suggestion a new site for inclusion, to report incorrect information in the directory, and to report instances of possible editorial abuse.
These forms collect and store the data entered into them. For most forms, the only identifiable data is your IP address, collected for spam detection. On some forms, we request that you provide an email address so that we may contact you for more details. Email addresses will only ever be used by Curlie editors for the specific reason of collecting further information, and will never be shared outside of Curlie.
Information provided on these forms is stored indefinitely in the permanent editing logs, to provide a historical record of actions regarding websites listed in, or considered for listing in, the directory.
Editor Information
Introduction and Definitions
Curlie depends on its volunteer editors to build and maintain the directory. Editors are expected to edit impartially and maintain quality standards. When editors do not adhere to these expectations, their accounts may be inactivated. All aspects of editor community management are tended to by a group editors referred to as “metas”. The metas review editor applications and investigate allegations of editor abuse. Consequently, metas have access to more personal information of editors than non-meta editors or members of the public.
Editor Application
The application to become an editor requests various items of personal information, the most important of which is a functioning email address. Email is used for communication among editors and to send general announcements to all active editors. The editor application form also asks about websites with which prospective editors are affiliated. Most information provided on the editor application form is considered confidential, and is only visible to metas. Information provided on the editor application form is stored indefinitely, to aid in community management.
While the editor’s display name (viewable on editor profiles, see below) can be changed at will, the unique editor name selected when on the editor application form can never be changed and will be permanently attached to editing records. Prospective editors are urged to consider this carefully as they select their editor name (username).
Editor Profiles
Editor profiles display basic information about an editor. The public editor profile is a simplified version visible to the general public, while the internal editor profile shows a few additional details. Profile information such as display name, website, photo, and free-form text profile can be changed at any time by active editors. Previous values of these fields are not retained in any way (besides any values provided on the original application, as explained above). Besides editor-supplied data, the profiles display the categories in which editors have been granted editing privileges.
Editing Records
All editing actions are permanently logged, to assist in future editing activity, and to allow for abuse investigation and reversion of editing actions. Log entries include the unique editor name, the IP address used to perform the edit, and any explanatory notes made by the editor. All active editors can view all editing logs, with the following exceptions: only metas can view IP addresses associated with editing logs, and only metas can view logs of community management actions (“meta edits”).
Editing logs are not viewable by the public, and are considered confidential information according to Curlie’s communications guidelines.
Forum
The editor forum is a registered-user-only discussion forum, and the contents are treated as confidential per our communications guidelines.
When registered users post to the forum, the IP address of the user is saved to help with spam detection. Forum posts are accompanied by the editor name used for editing purposes, and are retained indefinitely.
Previously, we had a separate public forum called the Resource-Zone which was an independent entity and fell outside the scope of this document. There was never a requirement to register with or use Resource-Zone to use the Curlie service.
Cookies
Curlie uses cookies for the sole purpose of maintaining an editor’s logged-in status. The cookie does not contain any personally identifiable information, and expires within two days.
Who we share your data with
Personal data is not shared. Per the application form, editor names are visible to the public, as they are present on Curlie directory pages in which editors have been granted editing privileges. The display of editor names on directory pages ceases as soon as an editor’s account is inactivated; editors may inactivate their accounts at any time.
Details of the edits made are only visible to other registered editors and administrators.
These are kept confidential within Curlie, per our communication guidelines.
How long we retain your data
Access log data is retained for no longer than one year.
Editor application details, editing records, and forum posts are retained indefinitely. Editors can see, edit, or delete the personal information displayed on the editor profiles at any time. As explained above, the editor name can never be changed. Details provided by editors on their application to become editors are retained for as long as the editor account remains active, and for at least two years thereafter.
The information provided by members of the public through forms on the Curlie website is stored indefinitely in the editing logs.
What rights you have over your data
Details visible to the public on your profile page can be changed at will by active editors. Inactive editors can submit a request for removing public-profile information.
Inactive editors may also request that details provided by on their application to become editors as well as subsequent disclosures of website affiliations be deleted once they have been inactive for at least two years.
Where we send your data
Your data is stored on our servers. These are currently AWS virtual machines, and depend on the jurisdiction of the United States of America.
Service Providers
We may employ third-party companies and individuals due to the following reasons:
- To facilitate our Service;
- To provide the Service on our behalf;
- To perform Service-related services; or
- To assist us in analyzing how our Service is used.
These third parties have minimal access to your Personal Information. The only reason is to perform the tasks assigned to them on our behalf. However, they are obligated not to disclose or use the information for any other purpose.
Security
We value your trust in providing us your Personal Information, thus we are striving to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. But remember that no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure and reliable, and so we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Links to Other Sites
By its nature, Curlie contains an enormous number of links to other sites. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that site. Note that these external sites are not operated or in any way controlled by us. Therefore, we strongly advise you to review the privacy policies of these websites. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any linked third-party sites or services.
Children’s Privacy
With the notable exception of the Kids and Teens section of Curlie, our Service does not address anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under 18. In the case we discover that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will endeavor to delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we will be able to undertake the necessary actions.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, we advise you to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify registered users of any changes and will post the new Privacy Policy on this page.
Any changes are effective immediately after they are posted on this page.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy (this document), do not hesitate to contact the sites administrators. More general questions about Curlie should be addressed on our Curlie user forum, which requires registration.
Additional information
How we protect your data
Your data is secured using industry standard techniques, including encryption.
What data breach procedures we have in place
We will inform affected users as soon a possible in the case of a data breach, and make announcements on the forums.
What third parties we receive data from
At the time of writing, we don’t receive data from third parties beyond the suggestion of websites for the directory.
What automated decision making and/or profiling we do with user data
At the time of writing, there is no automated decision making or profiling taking place with user data in Curlie.