Privacy Policy

Last updated: 12/13/2025

The Biscuits Internet Project ("the BIP", "we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use our website and services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

When you create an account on the BIP, we collect:

Email address (required for account creation)
Username and display name
Profile picture/avatar (if uploaded)
Authentication information from third-party services (Google, Facebook) if you use social login

1.2 User-Generated Content

We collect and store content you create on the BIP, including:

Show reviews and ratings
Comments and forum posts
Show attendance records
Images and files you upload
Profile information and bio

1.3 Usage and Analytics Data

We automatically collect information about how you use the BIP:

IP address and general location information
Browser type, operating system, and device information
Pages visited, time spent on pages, and click patterns
Referrer information (how you found the BIP)
Search queries within the BIP

1.4 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use various technologies to collect information:

Essential cookies for website functionality
Authentication cookies to keep you logged in
Preference cookies to remember your settings
Google Analytics cookies for website analytics
Session storage and local storage for user experience

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1 Service Provision

Create and manage your account
Enable you to contribute reviews, ratings, and comments
Track show attendance and build your profile
Provide personalized content recommendations
Enable communication with other users

2.2 Communication

Send important account notifications
Respond to your support requests
Notify you of website updates or changes
Send newsletter updates (if you opt in)

2.3 Analytics and Improvement

Analyze website usage patterns
Improve our services and user experience
Generate aggregated statistics about the BIP community
Identify and fix technical issues

2.4 Security and Legal Compliance

Prevent fraud, spam, and abuse
Enforce our Terms of Service
Comply with legal obligations
Protect the rights and safety of users

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We will never sell your personal data to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

3.1 Public Information

Some information is publicly visible by design, including your username, profile information, reviews, ratings, and show attendance records. This information is visible to other users and search engines.

3.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted service providers who help us operate the BIP:

Cloud hosting providers (for website infrastructure)
Database and storage providers
Analytics providers (Google Analytics)
Authentication providers (for social login)
Email service providers (for notifications)

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

Comply with legal process, court orders, or government requests
Enforce our Terms of Service
Protect the rights, safety, or property of the BIP or users
Investigate potential violations of our policies

3.4 Aggregated Data

We may share aggregated, anonymized statistics about the BIP community, such as total number of reviews or popular shows, which cannot be used to identify individual users.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

Encryption of data in transit and at rest
Secure authentication and password hashing
Regular security audits and monitoring
Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
Secure hosting infrastructure with reputable providers

While we take security seriously, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but will notify users of any significant data breaches.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

5.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality
Authentication Cookies: Keep you logged into your account
Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics to understand website usage

5.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality, such as staying logged in or remembering your preferences.

5.3 Third-Party Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with the BIP. Google Analytics may use cookies to collect information about your usage patterns. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using Google's opt-out tools.

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

6.1 Access and Portability

Access your personal data through your account settings
Request a copy of your data in a portable format
View your activity history and contributions

6.2 Correction and Updates

Update your profile information and preferences
Correct inaccurate information in your account
Edit or delete your reviews and comments

6.3 Deletion and Account Termination

Delete your account and associated personal data
Request removal of specific content you've contributed
Note: Some content may remain for community continuity (anonymized)

6.4 Communication Preferences

Opt out of non-essential email communications
Control notification settings
Manage your privacy settings

7. Data Retention

We retain your information as follows:

Account Information: Until you delete your account
User Content: Until you delete it or close your account
Usage Data: Up to 2 years for analytics purposes
Support Communications: Up to 3 years for customer service
Legal Compliance: As required by applicable law

When you delete your account, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, though some anonymized data may be retained for community continuity and historical purposes.

8. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

The BIP is not directed at children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take immediate steps to delete such information. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information to us, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

The BIP is operated in the United States. If you are accessing our service from outside the US, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the US where our servers and databases are located. By using the BIP, you consent to this transfer.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We will notify users of material changes by:

Posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last updated" date
Sending email notifications for significant changes
Displaying a prominent notice on the website

Your continued use of the BIP after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information to third parties.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us through our contact form. We will respond to privacy-related inquiries within 30 days.

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, consistent with our Terms of Service.