Privacy Policy

The Unmuted Community

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: January 1, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to The Unmuted Community ("Community," "we," "us," or "our"), a community-based platform operated by UNMUTEDCO LLC. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your personal information when you participate in our online community platform.

Our Mission: The Unmuted Community serves as a digital gathering space for Black and brown communities, creators, entrepreneurs, and allies to connect, collaborate, and amplify their voices through meaningful dialogue and shared experiences.

2. What This Policy Covers

This Privacy Policy applies specifically to The Unmuted Community website and associated community features, including:

Community forums and discussion boards
Member profiles and directories
Community events and meetups
Direct messaging and private communications
Community groups and special interest forums
Member networking and connection features
Community-generated content and contributions
Community newsletters and announcements

Note: This policy is separate from the privacy policies of other Unmuted Collective services. If you use other platforms in our ecosystem, those services are governed by their respective privacy policies.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Registration and Profile Information

Basic Profile Data: Name, username, email address, profile photo
Demographic Information: Age range, location (city/state), pronouns (optional)
Professional Information: Industry, job title, company name (optional)
Community Interests: Topics of interest, community groups joined
Verification Information: For verified community members or leaders

3.2 Community Activity Information

Posts and Comments: Forum posts, replies, comments, and reactions
Private Messages: Direct messages between community members
Event Participation: RSVP status, event attendance, feedback
Group Memberships: Community groups and forums you join
Community Contributions: Articles, resources, or content you share

3.3 Technical and Usage Information

Device and Browser Data: IP address, browser type, device information
Platform Usage: Pages visited, time spent, features used
Interaction Data: Likes, shares, follows, and other engagement metrics
Session Information: Login times, frequency of visits, activity patterns

3.4 Communication Preferences

Notification Settings: Email, push notification, and alert preferences
Community Updates: Newsletter subscription status and preferences
Event Communications: Meeting reminders and community announcements

4. How We Use Your Information

4.1 Community Experience

Create and maintain your community profile
Enable participation in forums, discussions, and groups
Facilitate connections between community members
Provide personalized content recommendations
Send community updates and relevant announcements

4.2 Communication and Engagement

Deliver direct messages between members
Send event invitations and reminders
Provide community newsletters and updates
Enable notifications for relevant discussions and activities
Facilitate community-wide communications

4.3 Community Safety and Moderation

Monitor community guidelines compliance
Investigate reports of inappropriate behavior
Prevent spam, harassment, and harmful activities
Maintain a safe and inclusive community environment
Enforce community standards and policies

4.4 Platform Improvement

Analyze community engagement and participation patterns
Improve platform features and user experience
Develop new community tools and capabilities
Generate insights about community interests and needs

5. Information Sharing Within the Community

5.1 Public Community Information

The following information is visible to other community members:

Public Profile: Display name, profile photo, bio, location (if provided)
Forum Activity: Public posts, comments, and forum participation
Community Contributions: Shared articles, resources, and public content
Group Memberships: Participation in public community groups
Event Participation: Attendance at public community events

5.2 Private Information

The following information remains private:

Personal Contact Information: Email address, phone number
Private Messages: Direct communications between members
Detailed Analytics: Specific usage patterns and behavior data
Account Settings: Privacy preferences and notification settings

5.3 Member Connections

Members can choose to connect with each other
Connected members may see additional profile information
You control what information is shared with connections
Connection lists are private unless you choose to make them public

6. Information Sharing with Third Parties

6.1 Within The Unmuted Collective

We may share limited information with other Unmuted Collective platforms to:

Provide integrated experiences across our ecosystem
Offer relevant services and opportunities
Maintain consistent community standards
Enable cross-platform notifications and updates

6.2 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party providers for:

Community Platform Hosting: Secure hosting and infrastructure
Email Communications: Newsletter delivery and notifications
Analytics Tools: Understanding community engagement (anonymized data)
Security Services: Protection against spam and malicious activities
Event Management: Coordination of community events and meetups

6.3 Community Partners

With your explicit consent, we may share information with:

Event Sponsors: For community events you choose to attend
Educational Partners: For workshops and learning opportunities
Professional Networks: For career and business development opportunities

6.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required to:

Comply with applicable laws and regulations
Respond to valid legal requests and court orders
Protect the safety and rights of community members
Investigate violations of our community guidelines

7. Your Privacy Controls

7.1 Profile Privacy Settings

Visibility Controls: Choose who can see your profile information
Activity Privacy: Control visibility of your community activity
Contact Preferences: Manage who can message you directly
Group Participation: Control visibility of group memberships

7.2 Communication Preferences

Email Notifications: Customize email frequency and types
Platform Notifications: Manage in-app alerts and messages
Community Updates: Opt in/out of newsletters and announcements
Event Communications: Control event-related messages

7.3 Content Management

Post Visibility: Control who can see your posts and comments
Content Sharing: Manage how your content can be shared
Historical Content: Edit or delete previous posts and comments
Account Deactivation: Temporarily or permanently disable your account

8. Data Security and Protection

8.1 Security Measures

Encryption: All data encrypted in transit and at rest
Access Controls: Limited access to personal information by staff
Regular Security Audits: Ongoing security assessments and improvements
Incident Response: Rapid response to security incidents or breaches

8.2 Data Retention

Active Accounts: Profile and activity data retained while accounts are active
Inactive Accounts: Accounts inactive for 2+ years may be archived
Deleted Content: Deleted posts removed from public view immediately
Legal Retention: Some data retained longer for legal or safety reasons

8.3 Account Security

Strong Passwords: Encouraged use of strong, unique passwords
Two-Factor Authentication: Available for enhanced account security
Login Monitoring: Unusual login activity detection and alerts
Device Management: Control which devices can access your account

9. Your Rights and Choices

9.1 Access and Portability

Request a copy of your personal information
Download your community posts and content
Access your account activity and engagement history
Review your privacy settings and preferences

9.2 Correction and Updates

Update your profile information and preferences
Correct inaccurate or outdated information
Modify your communication and privacy settings
Change your community group memberships

9.3 Deletion and Account Management

Delete specific posts, comments, or content
Deactivate your account temporarily
Permanently delete your account and associated data
Request removal of specific personal information

9.4 Communication Opt-Outs

Unsubscribe from community newsletters
Disable specific notification types
Opt out of promotional communications
Limit contact from other community members

10. Community Guidelines and Content Moderation

10.1 Content Monitoring

Community posts and interactions are subject to moderation
Automated systems and human moderators review content
Reports of inappropriate content are investigated promptly
Community guidelines are enforced consistently

10.2 User Reporting

Members can report inappropriate content or behavior
Anonymous reporting options available
Reports are investigated and appropriate action taken
Feedback provided to reporting members when appropriate

10.3 Enforcement Actions

Warning for minor guideline violations
Temporary suspension for serious violations
Permanent account removal for severe or repeated violations
Content removal when it violates community standards

11. International Users and Data Transfers

11.1 Global Community

The Unmuted Community welcomes members from around the world. When you participate from outside the United States:

Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States
We implement appropriate safeguards for international data transfers
You consent to such transfers by using our community platform

11.2 Regional Privacy Rights

European Users: GDPR rights including access, rectification, and erasure
California Residents: CCPA rights including disclosure and deletion
Other Jurisdictions: Rights as provided by applicable local privacy laws

12. Age Requirements and Youth Protection

12.1 Minimum Age

Community members must be at least 16 years old
Users under 18 require parental/guardian consent
Special protections apply for youth community members
Age verification may be required for certain features

12.2 Youth Safety Measures

Enhanced content moderation for youth interactions
Limited visibility of youth member profiles
Special reporting mechanisms for youth safety concerns
Educational resources about online safety and digital citizenship

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

13.1 Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:

Changes in community features or functionality
New privacy laws or regulations
Feedback from community members
Best practices in community privacy protection

13.2 Notification of Changes

Email notification to community members for material changes
Prominent notice on the community platform
Opportunity to review changes before they take effect
Continued participation indicates acceptance of updated policy

14. Contact Information

Community Privacy Officer

Email: [email protected]
Community Support: https://workbench.unmutedco.com
General Community Questions: [email protected]

Privacy Requests

For community privacy-related requests, please include:

Your community username and email address
Specific details about your privacy request
Any relevant screenshots or reference information
Preferred method for response

Community Feedback

We value your input on community privacy:

Feedback Email: [email protected]
Community Suggestions: Use our in-platform feedback tools
Privacy Concerns: Report immediately through our support system

15. Legal Framework

15.1 Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of New York and applicable federal laws of the United States.

15.2 Compliance Commitment

The Unmuted Community is committed to compliance with:

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Other applicable privacy and data protection laws

15.3 Dispute Resolution

Initial resolution through community support channels
Escalation procedures for unresolved privacy concerns
Alternative dispute resolution for eligible matters
Legal remedies as provided by applicable law

The Unmuted Community exists to empower and connect our members while respecting their privacy and fostering a safe, inclusive environment. This Privacy Policy reflects our commitment to transparency and protecting the personal information of our diverse community members.

Policy Version: Community 2025.1
Community Guidelines Reference: See Community Standards
Next Review Date: July 1, 2025

Community Values: Respect • Authenticity • Empowerment • Connection • Privacy