Privacy Policy

Introduction

At Rooted In Rising, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

We are a directory platform that connects people with lived experience practitioners. Your trust is essential to our mission, and we take our responsibility to protect your privacy seriously.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password.
• Profile Information: If you apply to be a practitioner, we collect professional information, bio, services offered, and other profile details.
• Contact Information: When you contact us, we collect your name, email, and message content.
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Email address and subscription preferences if you sign up for our newsletter.

Information We Collect Automatically

• Usage Data: How you interact with our platform, pages visited, time spent, and features used.
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, device type, and operating system.
• Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies to enhance your experience and for analytics purposes.

Information from Third Parties

• Social Media: If you link social media accounts, we may receive public profile information.
• Analytics Services: We use Google Analytics and similar services to understand platform usage.

How We Use Your Information

Primary Uses

• Platform Operation: To provide and maintain our directory services
• Account Management: To create and manage your user account
• Directory Listings: To display practitioner profiles in our directory
• Communications: To respond to inquiries and send important updates
• Community Safety: To prevent fraud, abuse, and maintain community standards

Secondary Uses

• Analytics: To understand how our platform is used and improve services
• Marketing: To send newsletters and updates (with your consent)
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect rights

Information Sharing

Public Information

Approved practitioner profiles are publicly visible in our directory, including:

• Name and professional information
• Bio and services offered
• Contact information you choose to share
• Profile photos and professional credentials

Limited Sharing

We may share your information in these specific circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to share information
• Service Providers: With trusted partners who help operate our platform (hosting, email, analytics)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
• Business Transfers: In case of merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

What We Don't Share

• We never sell your personal information to third parties
• We don't share sensitive information without consent
• We don't provide contact lists to marketers

Data Protection

Security Measures

• Encryption: We use SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure Storage: Personal data is stored on secure servers with access controls
• Password Protection: Passwords are encrypted using industry-standard methods
• Regular Updates: We maintain security patches and updates

Data Retention

• Active Accounts: We retain data while your account is active
• Inactive Accounts: Account data may be deleted after 2 years of inactivity
• Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer for legal compliance
• Anonymized Analytics: Usage statistics may be retained indefinitely in anonymized form

Cookies & Tracking

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality (login, security)
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand platform usage and improve services
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.

Third-Party Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand platform usage. Google's privacy policy applies to this data collection.

Your Rights

Access and Portability

• View Your Data: You can access your personal information through your account settings
• Data Export: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Account Information: Update your profile and account information at any time

Correction and Deletion

• Update Information: Correct inaccurate or outdated information
• Delete Account: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Selective Deletion: Remove specific information from your profile

Communication Preferences

• Email Preferences: Opt out of marketing emails while keeping essential communications
• Newsletter: Unsubscribe from newsletters at any time
• Notifications: Manage platform notification preferences

Special Considerations

Sensitive Information

As a platform focusing on lived experience, we recognize that some shared information may be sensitive. We:

• Allow practitioners to choose what information to share publicly
• Provide privacy controls for sensitive details
• Encourage thoughtful consideration before sharing personal experiences
• Respect the courage required to share lived experiences

Minors

Our platform is designed for adults (18+). We do not knowingly collect information from minors under 18. If we discover such information, we will delete it promptly.

International Users

Our platform is operated from the United States. By using our services, international users consent to data transfer and processing in the US under this privacy policy.

Policy Changes

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make changes:

• We will update the 'Last Updated' date
• Significant changes will be communicated via email or platform notification
• Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of updates
• You can always review the current policy on this page

Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or your personal data:

• Email: hello@rootedinrising.org
• Subject Line: Privacy Policy Question
• Response Time: We respond to privacy inquiries within 48 hours

For specific requests (data access, deletion, correction), please include:

• Your account email address
• Specific request details
• Verification of identity (for security)