Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 21, 2026
Last Updated: January 21, 2026

TransHarbor is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

Our Privacy Commitment

As a user-owned, nonprofit platform, we have no financial incentive to sell your data or compromise your privacy. Your data belongs to you, and we only use it to provide and improve the TransHarbor service.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Account Information:

  • Email address (for authentication and communication)
  • Username (public identifier)
  • Password (encrypted)
  • Display name (optional)
  • Bio (optional, max 500 characters)
  • Pronouns (optional)
  • Location (optional, text field only)

Content You Create:

  • Posts/personals you publish
  • Direct messages you send
  • Reports you submit
  • Proposals and votes (for voting members)
  • Comments on proposals

Usage Information:

  • Account creation date
  • Last login date
  • Post count
  • Last post date
  • Voting member status

Information Collected Automatically

Technical Data:

  • IP address (for security and abuse prevention)
  • Device type and operating system
  • App version
  • Login timestamps
  • Error logs (for debugging)

We do NOT collect:

  • Location via GPS or device tracking
  • Contacts or address book
  • Photos or media files
  • Browsing history
  • Advertising identifiers
  • Analytics beyond basic usage stats

How We Use Your Information

We use your information only for the following purposes:

Platform Operation

  • Creating and managing your account
  • Authenticating your identity
  • Facilitating posts and messaging
  • Enabling democratic governance features
  • Calculating voting membership eligibility

Safety and Moderation

  • Processing reports of violations
  • Investigating abuse or harassment
  • Enforcing community guidelines
  • Preventing fraud and spam

Communication

  • Sending account-related notifications (verification, password resets)
  • Notifying you of governance proposals and votes
  • Sending system announcements (via app, not marketing emails)
  • Responding to support requests

Improvement

  • Identifying bugs and technical issues
  • Understanding how features are used
  • Improving platform performance
  • Developing new features requested by the community

How We Share Your Information

What Is Public

The following information is visible to other TransHarbor users:

  • Username
  • Display name (if set)
  • Bio
  • Pronouns
  • Location (if set)
  • Posts/personals you publish
  • Post count
  • Account creation date
  • Voting member status

What Is Private

The following information is never publicly visible:

  • Email address
  • Password
  • IP address
  • Direct messages (only visible to conversation participants)
  • Reports you submit
  • Users you’ve blocked
  • Your voting choices (visible only as aggregate counts)

We Do NOT Share With Third Parties

TransHarbor does not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing or advertising purposes. Ever.

Limited Disclosure

We may disclose information only in these specific circumstances:

With Your Consent: If you explicitly agree to share information

Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or governmental regulation

Safety Emergencies: To prevent imminent harm or danger to individuals

Platform Protection: To investigate abuse, fraud, or terms violations

Business Transfer: In the unlikely event of acquisition or merger (users would be notified)

Data Storage and Security

Where We Store Data

  • Data is stored on secure servers in [location TBD]
  • Database is encrypted at rest
  • Backups are encrypted and stored securely
  • No data is stored in jurisdictions hostile to LGBTQ+ people

How We Protect Data

  • Passwords are hashed using industry-standard encryption
  • All connections use HTTPS/SSL encryption
  • Access to user data is restricted to essential personnel only
  • Regular security audits and updates
  • Automated monitoring for suspicious activity

Data Retention

  • Active accounts: Data retained indefinitely while account is active
  • Deleted accounts: Data permanently deleted within 30 days
  • Expired posts: Hidden after 30 days, deleted after 90 days
  • Deleted messages: Permanently deleted immediately
  • Backups: May retain data for 90 days for disaster recovery
  • Moderation logs: Retained for 1 year for appeals and accountability

Your Privacy Rights

Access Your Data

You can view and download your data at any time:

  • Profile information via Settings
  • Your posts via your profile
  • Your messages via the Messages tab
  • Data export available via request to support@transharbor.org

Modify Your Data

You can edit or update:

  • Profile information (except username)
  • Posts (within limits)
  • Messages (within limits)

Delete Your Data

You can delete:

  • Individual posts or messages
  • Your entire account (Settings > Delete Account)
  • Upon account deletion, all your data is permanently removed within 30 days

Blocking and Privacy

  • Block users to prevent them from contacting you or seeing your posts
  • Blocked relationships are private (users aren’t notified)

Opt-Out Options

  • Email notifications: Can be disabled in Settings
  • Voting reminders: Can be disabled in Settings
  • All communications (except critical security alerts)

Children’s Privacy

TransHarbor is intended for users 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If we learn that we have collected information from someone under 18, we will delete that information immediately.

International Users

TransHarbor is operated in the United States. If you are located outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to and processed in the U.S. By using TransHarbor, you consent to this transfer and processing.

Cookies and Tracking

What We Use

Essential Cookies:

  • Authentication tokens (to keep you logged in)
  • Session management
  • Security features

Functional Cookies:

  • Preferences and settings
  • Language selection

What We Don’t Use

  • Third-party advertising cookies
  • Social media tracking pixels
  • Analytics cookies beyond basic usage
  • Cross-site tracking

Third-Party Services

TransHarbor minimizes use of third-party services. Currently we use:

  • Email delivery service: For sending verification and notification emails (email addresses are not shared for other purposes)
  • Infrastructure provider: Cloud hosting service (bound by strict data processing agreements)

We do NOT use:

  • Google Analytics or similar
  • Facebook Pixel or social tracking
  • Advertising networks
  • Data brokers

Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy through our democratic governance process. Changes will be:

  • Announced to all users via in-app notification
  • Posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date
  • Discussed with the community before major changes
  • Subject to governance voting for significant changes

Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you disagree with changes, you may delete your account.

Democratic Governance and Privacy

Privacy protections are a core principle of TransHarbor. Changes that weaken privacy protections require:

  • Supermajority approval (2/3 of voting members)
  • Minimum 30% quorum
  • 14-day discussion period before voting

Your Responsibilities

To protect your own privacy:

  • Use a strong, unique password
  • Don’t share your account credentials
  • Be cautious about information you share in posts or messages
  • Don’t share personal contact information unless you trust the recipient
  • Use the block feature if someone makes you uncomfortable
  • Report privacy violations immediately

Data Portability

You have the right to receive your data in a portable format. Contact support@transharbor.org to request:

  • A complete export of your profile, posts, and messages
  • Data will be provided in JSON or CSV format
  • Delivery within 30 days of request

Questions and Concerns

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data:

Email: privacy@transharbor.org

Support: support@transharbor.org

Response time: Within 7 business days

Complaints and Regulatory Contact

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may:

  1. Contact us at privacy@transharbor.org
  2. Submit a governance proposal regarding privacy practices
  3. Contact relevant data protection authorities in your jurisdiction

TransHarbor is a Wyoming Unincorporated Nonprofit Association

This Privacy Policy is part of our Terms of Service and is governed by the laws of Wyoming and the United States.

Last updated: January 21, 2026