Effective date: 20 October 2025
Curious Cat provides a lightweight Q&A platform at curiouscat.me that helps people ask questions and share answers. We value your trust and designed our service to collect only what’s needed to operate and improve the product. This document describes how we handle personal information and the options you have.
Information we collect
We collect information in three ways: (1) data you provide directly, (2) data collected automatically when you use the service, and (3) data from third‑party services you choose to connect.
Information you provide
- Account details: display name, email address, password (stored using strong hashing), and optional bio/links.
- Content: questions, answers, comments, likes, and any attachments you upload.
- Reports & messages: abuse reports, support requests, and other communications.
Information collected automatically
- Usage data: pages viewed, features used, interactions, approximate time on page, and referring URLs.
- Device & log data: IP address (for security and fraud prevention), browser/OS, timestamps, and error logs.
- Cookies & local storage: used to keep you signed in, remember preferences, and measure aggregate usage.
Information from third parties (optional)
- Social profiles: if you connect or share links from other services.
- Payment processor: when applicable, we receive limited billing metadata (no full card numbers).
How we use information
- Provide, maintain, and improve the service.
- Protect users, investigate abuse, and enforce policies.
- Communicate with you about updates, security notices, and support.
- Personalize content (e.g., language or interface preferences).
- Measure performance to keep the site fast and reliable.
Legal bases (EEA/UK)
Where GDPR/UK GDPR applies, we rely on the following legal bases:
- Contract: to provide the service you requested.
- Legitimate interests: to keep the service secure and improve features (balanced against your rights).
- Consent: for optional things like certain cookies or marketing emails. You can withdraw consent anytime.
- Legal obligation: to comply with law or enforce legal rights.
Cookies & similar tech
We use cookies and local storage for authentication, preferences, and aggregate analytics. You can control or delete cookies in your browser. If you block essential cookies, some features (like staying signed in) may not work.
Analytics
We prefer privacy‑respecting analytics that avoid tracking individuals across sites. Analytics help us understand which features are useful and where users struggle so we can improve the experience.
Data retention
- Account data: kept while your account is active. If you delete your account, we remove or anonymize personal data within a reasonable period (usually within 30 days), except where retention is required by law or to resolve disputes.
- Content: you can delete your questions and answers at any time. Cached copies may persist briefly in backups.
- Logs: short‑lived security logs are kept for fraud and abuse detection, then deleted or anonymized.
How we share information
We don’t sell your personal information. We may share limited data with:
- Service providers (processors) who help us operate the service (e.g., hosting, email, analytics) under data‑processing agreements.
- Legal reasons when required by law, court order, or to prevent harm and abuse.
- Business transfers if we undergo a merger, acquisition, or asset sale. We’ll notify you of material changes.
International transfers
Your data may be processed in countries outside your own. When we transfer personal data internationally, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent mechanisms.
Children’s privacy
Our service is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to remove it.
Your rights & choices
Your rights depend on your location and local laws (e.g., GDPR in the EEA/UK, CCPA/CPRA in California). Subject to applicable limits, you may have the right to:
- Access, correct, or delete your personal data.
- Object to or restrict certain processing.
- Port your data in a commonly used format.
- Opt out of certain cookies or marketing communications.
- Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights (where applicable).
You can exercise many of these rights from your account settings. You can also reach us using the contact options below.
Security
We use technical and organizational measures to protect personal data (encryption in transit, secure credential storage, access controls). No system is perfectly secure; we encourage using strong, unique passwords and enabling device protections.
Your controls
- Toggle anonymous asks, followers‑only mode, and visibility settings on your page.
- Use filters, block/report, and rate limits to keep conversations healthy.
- Export your data or delete your account from settings at any time.
Changes to this policy
When we make material changes, we’ll update the effective date and, where appropriate, notify you by email or in‑product notice. Your continued use of the service after changes means you accept the updated policy.
Contact us
If you have questions about this policy or your data, contact us:
- Email: privacy@curiouscat.me