Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Webpodium ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.

2. Information We Collect

Account information:

• Username and email address (required for registration)
• Password (stored as bcrypt hash — we never store plain text)
• Optional: display name, bio, website URL, avatar

Usage data:

• Website submissions, comments, and recommendations you make
• Search queries (anonymized, used for trending suggestions)
• Aggregated page view and click counts per submitted website

3. How We Use Information

• To provide and improve the Service
• To send transactional emails (email verification, password reset)
• To send notification emails (if enabled in your settings)
• To display aggregated analytics to website owners
• To detect and prevent abuse and spam

4. How We Share Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share anonymized, aggregated data for analytical purposes. We may disclose information when required by law.

5. Cookies

We use a single session cookie to keep you logged in. We do not use tracking cookies or third-party advertising cookies. You can disable cookies in your browser, but this will prevent you from logging in.

6. Data Retention

Your data is retained as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, your personal information is permanently deleted. Some anonymized records (e.g., aggregated stats) may be retained.

7. Your Rights

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update inaccurate data via your profile settings
• Deletion: Delete your account and all associated data
• Portability: Request an export of your data
• Opt-out: Disable email notifications in settings

To exercise these rights, contact us.

8. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including HTTPS, bcrypt password hashing, CSRF protection, and rate limiting. However, no system is 100% secure and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Policy Changes

We may update this policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes via email. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance.

10. Contact

For privacy-related questions or requests, please contact us.