Privacy Policy

1. Overview

MyVote ("we," "us," or "our") operates the MyVote website and platform (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use our Service, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using MyVote, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

MyVote is currently operating as a pilot platform for Georgia voters. We are committed to handling your data responsibly and transparently.

2. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly:

• Account information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, a username, and a display name.
• Profile information: You may optionally add a bio, location (e.g., city, state), and political lean indicator.
• Comments and posts: Any content you submit publicly on the platform.
• Contact form submissions: If you contact us through the Contact page, we collect your name, email address, and message.

Information collected automatically:

• Usage data: Pages visited, features used, and general interaction patterns.
• Location data: With your browser's permission, we may detect your approximate city and state to show relevant local news. This is not stored permanently.
• Device information: Browser type, operating system, and IP address for security and analytics purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account
• Deliver local and personalized news content
• Allow you to comment on and discuss articles
• Respond to your contact form messages
• Improve the platform based on usage patterns
• Detect and prevent abuse or unauthorized access
• Send transactional emails (e.g., email verification, password reset)

We do not sell your personal data to political campaigns, advertisers, data brokers, or any third parties.

4. Data Storage and Security

Your account data is stored securely using Supabase, a secure cloud database provider. Passwords are hashed and never stored in plain text. We use industry-standard security practices including HTTPS encryption for all data in transit.

No system is 100% secure. While we take your data security seriously, we cannot guarantee absolute security of your information. In the event of a breach, we will notify affected users as required by law.

5. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you logged into your account and to maintain your session preferences. We do not use tracking cookies for advertising purposes. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may prevent you from staying logged in.

6. Third-Party Services

MyVote uses the following third-party services:

• Supabase — database and user authentication
• Vercel — website hosting and deployment
• NewsAPI — news article aggregation (no personal data is sent to NewsAPI)

News articles linked on MyVote are provided by third-party publishers. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those publishers.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information in your profile
• Delete your account and associated data
• Opt out of any non-essential communications

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at kcronin833@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy

MyVote is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of MyVote after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:

• Email: kcronin833@gmail.com
• Contact form: MyVote Contact Page