Privacy Policy

Who We Are

We are the Center for Online Safety and Liberty Inc (“COSL”, “we”, “our”), a nonprofit organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, incorporated in California, EIN 82-4969920.

COSL is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website (the “Website”).

Information We Collect

1. Comments

When visitors leave comments on our Website, we collect:

  • The data shown in the comments form.
  • The visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help with spam detection.

An anonymized string generated from your email address (a “hash”) may be sent to the Gravatar service to check if you are using it. The Gravatar service’s privacy policy can be found here. After your comment is approved, your profile picture will be publicly visible alongside your comment.

2. Media

If you upload images to our Website, please avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors to the Website can download and extract such data from your images.

3. Cookies

We use cookies to enhance your experience on our Website.

  • Comments: If you leave a comment, you may opt-in to saving your name, email address, and website in cookies for your convenience. These cookies will last for one year.
  • Login Information: When you log in, cookies will save your login details and screen preferences:
  • Login cookies last for two days.
  • Screen options cookies last for one year.
  • If you select “Remember Me,” your login will persist for two weeks.
  • Post Editing: If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will save the post ID of the article. This cookie expires after one day.
  • Temporary Cookies: When you visit the login page, we set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. It does not store personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

4. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Our articles may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, or articles). Embedded content behaves as if you visited the external website directly. These external websites may:

  • Collect data about you.
  • Use cookies.
  • Embed third-party tracking tools.
  • Monitor your interactions with the embedded content, including tracking your interactions if you are logged in to the external website.

How We Use Your Data

We use the information you provide to:

  • Facilitate communication and engagement on the Website (e.g., through comments).
  • Manage user accounts and provide access to Website features.
  • Enhance Website security and prevent spam.

Who We Share Your Data With

  • Spam Detection: Visitor comments may be checked through automated spam detection services.
  • Password Resets: If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email.

How Long We Retain Your Data

  • Comments: Comments and their metadata are stored indefinitely. This allows us to automatically approve follow-up comments without moderation.
  • User Profiles: For users who register on our Website, we store the personal information provided in their profiles.
  • Users can view, edit, or delete their personal information (except usernames).
  • Website administrators can also view and edit user information.

Your Rights Over Your Data

If you have an account on our Website or have left comments, you may:

  • Request an exported file of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Request that we erase your personal data.

Exceptions: We may retain data for administrative, legal, or security purposes as required by law.

Where Your Data Is Sent

Visitor comments may be processed through automated spam detection services to ensure the integrity of our Website.

Updates to This Privacy Policy

COSL reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page, and the “Last Updated” date will be revised. Continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.

Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
Email: [email protected]

By using our Website, you consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy.