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Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 12, 2026


This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you use IGNITE THE MIC, including our website, community features, shop, listings marketplace, events, podcasts, and related services (the “Services”).

By using the Services, you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

1. Information we collect

A. Information you provide

  • Account details: name, username, email address, password (stored securely), and sign-in method (including Google if you choose it).
  • Profile information: headline, bio, location, avatar, cover photo, portfolio images, “What I’m Riding,” visibility settings, and similar profile content.
  • Community content: posts, comments, messages, friend requests, group activity, reports, and other content you submit.
  • Marketplace & shop: listings you create, offers, saved items, cart/checkout details, and order history.
  • Events: RSVPs, waitlist status, co-host roles, invites, and event-related comments or photos where available.
  • Communications: newsletter signup, email digest preferences, and messages you send to us.
  • Support / moderation: information you provide when contacting us, reporting content, or resolving account issues.

B. Information collected automatically

  • Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, referring URL, and approximate timestamps.
  • Cookies and similar technologies: session cookies, preference/consent cookies, and analytics or functional cookies (where enabled). See Section 6.
  • Security signals: login activity, two-factor authentication status, and fraud/abuse prevention data.

C. Information from third parties

  • Google Sign-In (if used): basic account info such as name, email, and profile image as permitted by Google and your settings.
  • Payment processors (if used for shop/tickets/donations): payment confirmation and limited transaction details. We do not store full card numbers on our servers when payments are handled by a processor such as Stripe.
  • Podcast / email providers (if used): delivery and engagement data related to feeds or emails we send.

2. How we use your information

We use information to:

  • Create and manage your account and membership.
  • Operate community features (profiles, friends, groups, messaging, notifications).
  • Publish and display content you choose to share (news comments, reviews, listings, events, podcasts-related activity).
  • Process orders, donations, event tickets, and related fulfillment.
  • Send transactional emails (account, RSVP, order, security) and optional digests/newsletters you opt into.
  • Personalize and improve the Services, including performance and reliability.
  • Maintain security, prevent spam/abuse, enforce our rules, and comply with law.
  • Respond to support requests and moderate reported content.

We do not sell your personal information.

3. How your information is shared

We may share information with:

  • Other users, when you make profile or community content public or visible to members (for example, your name, username, avatar, bio, posts, listings, and event RSVP visibility where applicable).
  • Service providers that help us run the site (hosting, email delivery, payment processing, analytics, security). They may process data only to provide services to us.
  • Legal / safety recipients, if required by law, or if needed to protect rights, safety, or the integrity of the Services.
  • Business transfers, if we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale (your information may transfer as part of that transaction).

Your public profile visibility can be adjusted in account settings (for example, public, members-only, or private), but some activity you take in shared spaces may still be visible to others depending on the feature.

4. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict certain personal data, or to object to certain processing.

You can:

  • Update profile and account settings while logged in.
  • Change email digest / notification preferences.
  • Block other members and control some social connections.
  • Withdraw cookie consent for non-essential cookies (where our cookie banner is enabled).
  • Unsubscribe from marketing/newsletter emails using the link in those emails.
  • Directly from your Profile:
    • Download a copy of your account data including profile information, posts, event RSVPs, orders, and related activity.
    • Permanently delete your account and personal data. Your posts will be anonymized. This action has a 7-day grace period before it takes effect.

5. Children’s privacy

The Services are not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your region). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

6. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Keep you signed in and secure your session.
  • Remember preferences (including cookie consent choices).
  • Understand site usage and improve performance (if analytics cookies are enabled).

You can manage non-essential cookies through our cookie banner/settings (when enabled) and through your browser controls. Blocking some cookies may affect site functionality.

7. Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy, including:

  • While your account remains active.
  • As needed to provide Services you requested.
  • To comply with legal, tax, accounting, or security obligations.
  • For a reasonable period after account closure to resolve disputes or prevent abuse.

When information is no longer needed, we delete or de-identify it where practicable.

8. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal information (including secure connections, access controls, and optional two-factor authentication). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. International users

If you access the Services from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other countries where we or our providers operate. Those locations may have different data protection laws than your home country.

10. Third-party links and services

The Services may link to third-party sites or embed third-party tools (for example, payment pages, Google Sign-In, podcast platforms). Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies. We are not responsible for third-party practices.

11. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on this page and revise the “Last updated” date. If changes are material, we may also provide additional notice (for example, by email or site notice).