Privacy Policy - The Anomaly Archive

1. Our Privacy Commitment

The Anomaly Archive is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users, especially witnesses who courageously share their experiences with unexplained phenomena. We understand that privacy is crucial for those reporting sensitive encounters.

Core Principle: We collect only the minimum data necessary to maintain a credible database of unexplained phenomena, and we implement robust protections to keep witness information secure.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Report Submissions

Data Type	Required	Anonymous Reports	Non-Anonymous Reports
Phenomenon Details	Yes	✅ Collected	✅ Collected
Location Information	Yes	✅ Generalized	✅ Precise (if provided)
Date and Time	Yes	✅ Collected	✅ Collected
Contact Information	No	❌ Not collected	🔒 Encrypted storage
Media Files	No	✅ Anonymous	✅ Linked to report

2.2 Technical Information

For all visitors, we automatically collect:

IP Address - Used for security and general location (country/region only)
Browser Information - To ensure compatibility and detect issues
Page Views - To understand which content is most valuable
Timestamps - For security logging and system maintenance

2.3 Podcast Analytics

When you interact with our podcast content:

Episode play counts (anonymized)
Download statistics (no personal identification)
Listening duration (aggregated data only)

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Primary Purposes

Database Maintenance: Organizing and presenting verified reports
Pattern Analysis: Identifying trends and correlations in phenomena
Quality Verification: Assessing credibility and authenticity
Research Support: Enabling legitimate academic and independent research
Follow-up Communications: Contacting witnesses for additional information (if consent given)

3.2 Research and Analysis

We may use aggregated, anonymized data for:

Statistical analysis of phenomenon types and locations
Temporal pattern identification
Geographic clustering analysis
Publication in research papers (with all personal identifiers removed)

Important: Individual reports are never shared with researchers without explicit consent. All research uses only aggregated, anonymized datasets.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 What We DON'T Share

We will NEVER share, sell, or disclose:

Personal contact information with third parties
Specific location details that could identify witnesses
Individual reports with commercial entities
Any information for marketing or advertising purposes

4.2 Limited Sharing Scenarios

We may share information only in these specific circumstances:

Legal Requirements: If compelled by valid legal process
Safety Concerns: To prevent imminent harm to individuals
Consent-Based: When you explicitly authorize sharing
Academic Research: Anonymized data only, for legitimate research

4.3 Public Information

Information displayed publicly on our platform includes:

Approved phenomenon reports (with personal details removed)
General location information (city/region level)
Date and time of incidents
Submitted media files (if not requested to be kept private)

5. Data Security Measures

Multi-Layer Protection: We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

5.1 Technical Safeguards

Encryption: All sensitive data encrypted in transit and at rest
Access Controls: Strict role-based access to personal information
Secure Storage: Contact information stored separately from public reports
Regular Audits: Periodic security assessments and updates
Anonymization: Personal identifiers automatically removed from public data

5.2 Administrative Safeguards

Limited staff access to personal information
Background checks for team members with data access
Regular privacy and security training
Incident response procedures

5.3 Data Breach Response

In the unlikely event of a data breach:

Immediate containment and assessment
Notification to affected users within 72 hours
Coordination with law enforcement if necessary
Implementation of additional safeguards

6. Your Privacy Rights and Controls

6.1 Access and Control

You have the right to:

Access: Request copies of personal data we hold about you
Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate information
Deletion: Request removal of your reports and personal data
Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
Restriction: Limit how we process your information

6.2 Anonymous Report Limitations

For anonymous reports, we cannot:

Verify your identity to process requests
Modify or delete specific anonymous submissions
Provide copies of anonymous submissions

6.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

Contact us through:

Email: privacy@anomalyarchive.org
Contact Form: Use our secure contact page
Include: Your report ID or contact information for verification

7. Cookies and Tracking

7.1 Essential Cookies

We use minimal, essential cookies for:

Maintaining your session during report submission
Remembering your preferences (theme, language)
Security and fraud prevention

7.2 Analytics

We use privacy-focused analytics to understand:

Which content is most helpful to visitors
How people navigate our site
General geographic distribution of visitors (country level only)

No Third-Party Tracking: We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or other invasive tracking technologies.

8. Data Retention

8.1 Report Data

Approved Reports: Retained indefinitely for research value
Rejected Reports: Deleted after 90 days
Contact Information: Deleted after 2 years of inactivity (if no recent submissions)

8.2 Technical Data

Server Logs: Retained for 12 months for security purposes
Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained indefinitely
Admin Sessions: Automatically expired after 24 hours

9. Children's Privacy

The Anomaly Archive is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will delete it immediately.

For users between 13-17, we recommend parental guidance when submitting reports, especially those involving personal contact information.

10. International Users

The Anomaly Archive welcomes reports from around the world. For international users:

Data Processing: Data may be processed in the United States
Legal Compliance: We comply with applicable international privacy laws
Rights: Users in EU, UK, and other jurisdictions retain their privacy rights under local law
Data Transfers: We implement appropriate safeguards for international data transfers

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect:

Changes in our data practices
New features or services
Legal or regulatory requirements
Enhanced security measures

Significant changes will be announced prominently on our platform at least 30 days before taking effect. Continued use of the Platform after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests:

Privacy Officer: privacy@anomalyarchive.org
General Contact: Contact Form
Response Time: We respond to privacy requests within 30 days
Urgent Concerns: Use subject line "URGENT PRIVACY REQUEST" for faster response

Data Protection Officer: For EU residents, you may contact our Data Protection Officer for specific GDPR-related questions at dpo@anomalyarchive.org

🔒 Privacy Policy