Privacy Policy
The Locals Weekly is built so that people can write to each other without handing over their identity. This page explains what we collect, why, who helps us run the Service, and how long we keep it.
The short version
- Other users never see your real name, email address or other contact details. They see only an anonymous ID.
- We don't sell your personal information.
- We don't keep images of your ID documents.
- You can close your account and ask us to delete your information.
What we collect
- Account details: your email address and a password (stored in protected form, never as plain text).
- Verification: you verify your identity with a third-party identity verification provider. We receive and keep the result (verified or not) and a scrambled identifier that stops one person from opening multiple accounts. We don't store your ID document or photos. Depending on the provider's checks, verification may include comparing a photo of your face with your ID document. The provider handles that data under its own privacy policy.
- Your ads and letters: the text you write, the code of each ad, and the letters you send and receive, linked to your anonymous ID.
- Purchases: what you bought, when, and the amount. Card payments are handled by our payment provider, and we never see or store your full card number.
- Technical and security data: such as IP address, device and browser information, and records of sign-ins and requests, which we use to keep the Service secure and to prevent abuse like guessing ad codes.
- Waitlist and support: if you joined our waitlist or contacted us, the email address and message you sent.
How we use it
To run your account and the Service, to verify identities and prevent duplicate accounts, to deliver letters, to process payments and refunds, to send necessary emails (confirmation, password reset, and a plain notice when you have a new letter, which you can turn off in settings), to keep the Service safe, to follow the law, and to answer your questions. We don't use your information for advertising.
Anonymity between users
When you write or reply, other users see only your anonymous relay ID. Your email address is encrypted in our database and is never shown to another user. We may disclose your account information only if required by law or to protect someone's safety.
Who we share it with
We use service providers to operate the Service. They may handle your information only to do their job for us:
- identity verification: a third-party verification provider;
- payment processing: our payment processor;
- email delivery: Postmark;
- website and app hosting: our hosting provider, and Netlify for our public site;
- support email: Google Workspace;
- waitlist signup forms: Formspree.
We may also share information when the law requires it, to enforce our terms, or to protect people's safety.
How long we keep it
We keep your information while your account is open. When you close your account, you can no longer sign in. After you close your account, or after a period of inactivity, we delete your email address, password and sign-in records. We keep your anonymous ID and the letters you wrote, purchase records for as long as needed for accounting, tax and dispute purposes, and a scrambled identifier from your ID verification that helps us prevent one person from opening multiple accounts. Our email provider keeps a log of sent emails for a limited period.
Security
Email addresses are encrypted in our database, passwords are protected with one-way hashing, and access to production data is limited. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your information and will tell you if a breach affects you, as the law requires.
Your choices
- Turn off new-letter emails in the settings on your desk.
- Close your account from your desk.
- Email hello@thelocalsweekly.com to ask for a copy of your information, to correct it, or to ask us to delete it. We'll respond within 30 days.
Cookies
We use only the cookies needed to keep you signed in and secure. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.
Age
The Service is for adults 18 and over. We don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 18, and we will delete it if we learn we have.
Changes
If we change this policy in a significant way, we'll tell you through the Service or by email before it takes effect.
Contact
The Locals Weekly LLC · P.O. Box 151, Herndon, VA 20172 · hello@thelocalsweekly.com · (703) 278-2966