Privacy Policy - Judge Account

1. Introduction

JudgeAccount.com ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services. By accessing or using JudgeAccount.com, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

Our platform exists to promote judicial accountability and transparency. We recognize that users submitting reviews and media links about judges may have legitimate privacy concerns, and we have designed our practices accordingly.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when using our services:

Account Information: Username, email address, and password when you register for an account
Review Content: Judge reviews, ratings, court dates, case types, and related information you submit
Media Link Submissions: URLs, headlines, publication dates, news sources, and summaries you provide
Reports and Flags: Information you provide when reporting content that violates our Community Guidelines
Communications: Messages, emails, or other communications you send to us

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access our website, we automatically collect certain information:

Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, and navigation patterns
Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers
Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience and analyze site usage (see Section 7 below)

2.3 Information We Do Not Collect

We do not require or collect:

Real names (usernames may be pseudonymous)
Physical addresses or phone numbers
Financial or payment information (we do not currently process payments)
Social Security numbers or government-issued identification
Case numbers or specific identifying details of legal proceedings

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

Provide Services: To operate JudgeAccount.com, display reviews and media links, and facilitate judicial accountability
Account Management: To create and maintain user accounts, authenticate users, and manage preferences
Content Moderation: To review flagged content, enforce Community Guidelines, and maintain platform integrity
Communication: To respond to inquiries, send administrative notifications, and provide customer support
Security: To detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security issues, and technical problems
Analytics: To understand how users interact with our platform and improve our services
Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, respond to lawful requests, and protect our rights

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Public Information

The following information is publicly visible on JudgeAccount.com:

Your username (but not your email address)
Reviews and ratings you submit about judges
Media links you submit (once verified by administrators)
The date submissions were created

Important: Do not include personally identifiable information in your reviews or submissions that you do not want to be publicly visible.

4.2 We Do Not Sell Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

4.3 Limited Disclosure Circumstances

We may disclose your information only in the following limited circumstances:

Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, court order, or legal process
Safety and Rights Protection: To protect the safety, rights, or property of JudgeAccount.com, our users, or the public
Enforce Policies: To investigate violations of our Terms of Service or Community Guidelines
Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (users will be notified)
With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize disclosure

4.4 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating our website, such as hosting providers, email services, or analytics tools. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may only use it to provide services to us.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
Secure password hashing
Regular security audits and updates
Access controls limiting who can view user data
Monitoring for suspicious activity

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter
Reviews and Media Links: Retained indefinitely as they serve our mission of judicial accountability and constitute our core content
Flagged Content Records: Retained for moderation history and pattern analysis
Banned User Records: Retained to prevent circumvention of bans

You may request deletion of your account by contacting us at Admin@JudgeAccount.com. Upon account deletion, your username will be anonymized, but reviews and media links you submitted may remain on the platform to maintain the integrity of judicial records.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and analyze site performance.

7.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for site functionality, such as maintaining your login session
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our site to improve performance
Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

7.2 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. You can typically set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data (subject to our retention policies)
Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format
Objection: Object to certain processing of your information
Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw that consent at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at Admin@JudgeAccount.com. We will respond to verified requests within a reasonable timeframe as required by applicable law.

9. Children's Privacy

JudgeAccount.com is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe a child has provided information to us, please contact us at Admin@JudgeAccount.com.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website contains links to external websites, particularly in media link submissions. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

11. California Privacy Rights

California residents have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
Right to delete personal information held by us
Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at Admin@JudgeAccount.com with "California Privacy Request" in the subject line.

12. European Union Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

Right of access to your personal data
Right to rectification of inaccurate data
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to processing
Rights related to automated decision-making

Our legal basis for processing your information includes: performance of a contract (providing our services), legitimate interests (platform integrity and security), and consent (where applicable). You may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify users of material changes by:

Posting a prominent notice on our website
Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Sending email notifications to registered users for significant changes

Continued use of JudgeAccount.com after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email: Admin@JudgeAccount.com
Subject Line: Privacy Policy Inquiry

We will respond to all legitimate requests within a reasonable timeframe.