1. introduction
this privacy policy explains what data chat™ collects, how it is stored, and how it is used. by using chat™, you agree to the practices described here.
2. data we collect
when you use chat™, the following information is collected and stored:
- messages — all messages you send are permanently stored.
- email address — the email address associated with your Hack Club Auth account is permanently stored.
- username — the username you set on the site is stored.
- IP address — your IP address is logged when you use the service.
- images and files — any images or files you upload are stored and handled in accordance with the Hack Club CDN Privacy Policy.
guest accounts
if you use chat™ without logging in, you are assigned a temporary guest session. guest sessions may generate data such as messages and IP addresses, however this data is not linked to any account, email address, or persistent identifier. as a result, it cannot be traced back to you specifically.
local storage
chat™ uses your browser's local storage to save certain information on your device. this includes your user ID and username, which are stored locally to keep you logged in and maintain your session.
2.5. eligibility
age requirement
chat™ does not have a strict minimum age requirement, however it is not directed at children. if you are under 13, please be aware that this service was not designed with you in mind and parental guidance is advised. chat™ does not knowingly collect data from children under 13.
3. how your data is stored
4. how your data is used
stored data (logged messages, emails, and IP addresses) is not actively accessed or reviewed except when necessary — for example, to investigate abuse or resolve technical issues.
we do not sell, share, or otherwise distribute your personal data to third parties.
transparency
chat™ is an open source project. the source code is publicly available and can be inspected to verify how data is collected, stored, and handled. we encourage technically inclined users to review the codebase if they have concerns about data practices.
5. third-party services
hack club CDN
images and files uploaded to chat™ are served and stored via the Hack Club CDN. their handling of that data is governed by the Hack Club CDN Privacy Policy.
nest
chat™ is hosted on Nest, a hosting platform controlled by Hack Club. as a result, all data and activity on chat™ is also subject to the Nest Privacy Policy.
hack club auth
if you log in using Hack Club, your authentication is handled by Hack Club's auth service. that process is subject to Hack Club Auth's own Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
6. data retention
messages and account data (email, username, IP) are retained indefinitely. there is currently no automated deletion process.
7. breaches
in the event of a data breach or unauthorized access to stored data, affected users will be notified on a best-effort basis via a notice posted on the site. given that data is stored unencrypted, you are encouraged to avoid sharing sensitive personal information on the platform.
8. contact
if you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact me (Emma) either via the Hack Club Slack or over email, at emma@csarcade.wiki.
data deletion requests
to request deletion of your data (messages, email, username, IP address), please contact me (Emma) at emma@csarcade.wiki. deletion requests will be handled on a best-effort basis, and may take some time to fully review and take action. for the quickest reply, please use the same email you used to log into the site.