People's VoicePeople's Voice

People's Voice Privacy Policy

Last updated October 2025

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. What Personal Information does People's Voice collect or process?
III. How does People's Voice collect or receive Personal Information?
IV. How does People's Voice use Personal Information?
V. People's Voice's disclosure of Personal Information
VI. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
VII. Supplemental Jurisdiction Specific Disclosures
VIII. Security and Retention
IX. Cross-Border Transfers of Personal Information
X. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
XI. Personal Information from Children
XII. Third-Party Sites
XIII. How to Contact Us
XIV. Changes to this Privacy Policy

I. Introduction {#introduction}

At People's Voice, we connect citizens with journalism that matters by enabling the public to submit questions, videos, and events for investigation, while providing reporters opportunities to earn income through quality investigative work.

This Privacy Policy ("Policy") describes how People's Voice and its affiliates ("People's Voice", "we", "our", or "us") collect, process, retain, and disclose your Personal Information when providing our services, including our platform, website, mobile applications, and all related services (collectively the "Services").

This Policy applies to all users of our Services, including citizens who submit content, reporters whom are investigative journalists, and visitors who consume our journalism.

II. What Personal Information does People's Voice collect or process? {#what-personal-information}

Personal Information is any information that People's Voice can reasonably use to identify you, whether that information identifies you on its own or when combined with other information. Anonymous information and information that has been de-identified such that it cannot identify you is not Personal Information.

We may process the following categories of Personal Information in connection with our Services:

Contact Information

Including name, address, email address(es), phone number(s), and other contact information provided to us.

Account and Profile Information

Including username and credentials, privacy settings and notification preferences, profile pictures, bio information, professional credentials (for reporters), subscription information, payment preferences, and identifiers that we may link to an account.

Identity Verification Information

Including government-issued identification documents, professional credentials, employment history, and verification documents, which we may process for reporter applications, payment processing, and compliance with legal requirements.

Communications

Including the content of messages, emails, support inquiries, feedback submissions, comments on investigations, communications between users and reporters, the date and time of communications, method used, and outcomes or resolutions from communications.

Submitted Content

Including:

  • Questions: Text, context, supporting materials, and metadata of questions submitted for investigation
  • Videos: Video files, accompanying descriptions, metadata, and technical information
  • Events: Event descriptions, locations, dates, supporting documentation, and related materials
  • Tips and Information: Anonymous tips, source materials, and investigative leads
  • Comments and Feedback: Public comments, ratings, and feedback on investigations

Payment Information

Including credit card or debit card information, banking details for reporters, payment method information, transaction history, earnings records, subscription information, and information about payment services used. Payment information is primarily stored and processed by our third-party payment processors. We use Stripe as our primary payment processor for all transactions, including subscription billing. Stripe's handling of your payment data is governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy available at https://stripe.com/privacy.

Subscription and Tier Information

For users with Premium subscriptions or those who have subscribed in the past, we collect and store:

  • Subscription Tier: Your current subscription level (Free or Premium)
  • Subscription Status: Whether your subscription is active, canceled, past due, or in another state
  • Billing Information: Subscription start dates, renewal dates, billing cycle information, and current period end dates
  • Cancellation Data: Information about subscription cancellations, including cancellation dates and whether access continues until period end
  • Payment History: Records of successful and failed subscription payments
  • Stripe Customer ID: Unique identifier linking your account to Stripe's payment system
  • Stripe Subscription ID: Unique identifier for your subscription in Stripe's system
  • Downgrade History: Records of transitions from Premium to Free tier, including timing and previous tier information

This information is used to manage your subscription, provide appropriate feature access, process billing, and track subscription lifecycle events for analytics and business intelligence purposes.

Platform Activity and Engagement

Including:

  • Voting and Ranking Activity: Questions voted on, ranking preferences, voting patterns, and engagement metrics
  • Content Consumption: Investigations read, videos watched, time spent on content, sharing activity
  • Platform Usage: Features used, search queries, navigation patterns, session information
  • Reporter Performance: Investigation submissions, quality ratings, earnings history, performance metrics

Geographic Information

If you have consented to location access, we may receive and store your location information to:

  • Verify event locations for investigations
  • Connect you with local stories and reporters
  • Improve content recommendations
  • Facilitate location-based reporting

To manage location sharing:

  1. Access your account settings
  2. Navigate to "Privacy Settings"
  3. Adjust location permissions as desired

Device and Technical Information

Including information about devices used to access our Services, IP addresses, device identifiers, operating system information, browser details, and other technical information.

Reporter-Specific Information

Including:

  • Professional Credentials: Journalism experience, education, portfolio samples, references
  • Work History: Previous investigations, performance ratings, specialization areas
  • Financial Information: Tax information, payment preferences, earnings records
  • Verification Status: Background check results, credential verification, professional standing

Some information we collect (specifically government identification, precise location information, and financial records) may be considered sensitive Personal Information under certain jurisdictions' laws. We process sensitive Personal Information only as reasonably expected to provide our Services, for legal and security purposes, and where legally required, only with appropriate consent.

When we process de-identified information, we maintain and use the information in de-identified form and do not attempt to re-identify it, except as permitted by applicable law.

III. How does People's Voice collect or receive Personal Information? {#how-we-collect-information}

From Users of our Services

We receive information when you:

  • Create an account or update your profile
  • Submit questions, videos, or event information
  • Apply to become a reporter
  • Make payments or receive earnings
  • Vote on content or engage with investigations
  • Contact us for support or feedback
  • Participate in surveys or promotional activities
  • Subscribe to newsletters or notifications

Automatically Through Our Services

When you use our Services, certain Personal Information is collected automatically from your device and browser, including usage patterns, performance data, and technical information.

Through Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our Services use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about your preferences, usage patterns, and device characteristics. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

From Service Providers

We may receive Personal Information from service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

  • Payment processors and financial service providers
  • Identity verification and background check services
  • Analytics and performance monitoring services
  • Communication services (email, SMS, notifications)
  • Security and fraud prevention services
  • Content delivery and hosting services

From Public Sources and Third Parties

We may receive information from:

  • Publicly available sources for fact-checking and verification
  • Professional networks and journalism organizations
  • Credit reporting agencies (for reporter financial verification)
  • Law enforcement or regulatory authorities when legally required
  • Other users who refer you to our Services

From Reporter Applications and Verification

When reporters apply to join our platform, we collect extensive professional and personal information for verification purposes, including credentials, work samples, references, and background information.

IV. How does People's Voice use Personal Information? {#how-we-use-information}

Depending on how you interact with our Services, People's Voice may use your Personal Information for:

To Provide and Improve Our Services

  • Process and facilitate content submissions (questions, videos, events)
  • Connect submitted content with appropriate reporters
  • Facilitate the investigation and reporting process
  • Enable voting and ranking systems
  • Process payments to reporters and from users
  • Provide customer support and resolve issues
  • Personalize content recommendations and user experience
  • Analyze platform performance and user engagement

For Content Quality and Editorial Purposes

  • Review submitted content for accuracy and relevance
  • Fact-check information and verify sources
  • Moderate content and enforce community guidelines
  • Assign investigations to qualified reporters
  • Monitor investigation quality and completeness
  • Facilitate editorial review and publication processes

For Reporter Management and Verification

  • Process reporter applications and conduct background checks
  • Verify professional credentials and experience
  • Monitor reporter performance and quality
  • Manage reporter payments and earnings
  • Provide reporter training and resources
  • Facilitate communication between reporters and the platform

For Platform Security and Safety

  • Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and misuse
  • Verify user identities and prevent impersonation
  • Protect against spam, harassment, and malicious content
  • Secure financial transactions and payment processing
  • Monitor for violations of Terms of Service
  • Investigate reports of misconduct or policy violations

For Communication and Engagement

  • Send notifications about investigation updates
  • Communicate platform news and policy changes
  • Facilitate communication between users and reporters
  • Provide customer support and technical assistance
  • Send promotional materials and newsletter content (with consent)
  • Respond to inquiries and feedback

For Legal Compliance and Business Operations

  • Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
  • Respond to lawful requests from authorities
  • Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
  • Protect our rights, property, and legitimate business interests
  • Facilitate business operations, including potential mergers or acquisitions
  • Maintain records for audit and compliance purposes

For Analytics and Business Intelligence

  • Analyze platform usage patterns and user behavior
  • Measure content performance and engagement
  • Generate insights for platform improvement
  • Monitor financial performance and transaction patterns
  • Conduct market research and user surveys
  • Develop new features and services

V. People's Voice's disclosure of Personal Information {#disclosure-of-information}

Depending on how you use our Services, People's Voice may provide or disclose Personal Information as follows:

To Service Providers

We share Personal Information with trusted service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

  • Payment processors and financial institutions
  • Identity verification and background check services
  • Cloud hosting and data storage providers
  • Analytics and performance monitoring services
  • Communication and notification services
  • Security and fraud prevention services
  • Legal and compliance services

Stripe Payment Processing: We use Stripe, Inc. as our payment processor for all financial transactions, including subscription billing, deposits, and withdrawals. When you make a payment or subscribe to Premium, we share the following information with Stripe:

  • Email Address: To create and manage your Stripe customer account and send payment receipts
  • User ID: Internal identifier linking your platform account to your Stripe customer record
  • Subscription Details: Subscription tier, billing amount, billing frequency, and subscription status
  • Transaction Information: Payment amounts, currency, transaction timing, and transaction metadata
  • Payment Method Data: Payment information you provide (credit card, bank account) is collected and stored directly by Stripe, not by People's Voice

Stripe processes this information according to their Privacy Policy (https://stripe.com/privacy) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Stripe may use this information for fraud prevention, payment processing, regulatory compliance, and their own business purposes as outlined in their privacy policy. People's Voice does not have access to your full payment card numbers or banking credentials; we only receive limited information from Stripe such as card brand, last four digits, and expiration date.

These service providers may access, store, and process your Personal Information outside your jurisdiction of residence.

To Reporters and Content Creators

When you submit questions, videos, or events for investigation, we may share relevant information with assigned reporters, including:

  • Contact information (if you choose to provide it)
  • Submitted content and supporting materials
  • Context and background information necessary for investigation
  • Communication preferences and availability

Within Published Investigations

Information from your submissions may be included in published investigations, including:

  • Questions (with or without attribution, based on your preferences)
  • Video content (with appropriate permissions and releases)
  • Event information and details
  • Supporting materials and documentation (with consent)

We will respect any anonymity preferences you indicate when submitting content.

For Platform Features and Community Engagement

We may display certain information to facilitate platform functionality:

  • Voting and ranking information (typically anonymized)
  • User engagement metrics and statistics
  • Community feedback and ratings
  • Public profile information (for reporters and users who opt-in)

To Law Enforcement and Regulatory Authorities

We may disclose Personal Information when:

  • Required by law, legal process, or court order
  • Necessary to investigate potential crimes or violations
  • Required for national security or public safety purposes
  • Needed to enforce our Terms of Service or protect our rights
  • Necessary to protect the safety of users or the public

For Business Transactions

If People's Voice is involved in a merger, acquisition, sale, or other business transaction, we may disclose Personal Information to:

  • Potential buyers or investors during due diligence
  • Successor entities as part of the transaction
  • Professional advisors assisting with the transaction
  • Other parties as necessary to complete the transaction

With Your Consent

We may share Personal Information with third parties when you provide explicit consent, including:

  • Sharing information with other journalism organizations
  • Participating in collaborative investigations
  • Connecting with law enforcement for investigation purposes
  • Integration with third-party tools and services

To People's Voice Affiliates

We may share Personal Information with our corporate affiliates and subsidiaries for business operations, service provision, and the purposes described in this Policy.

Journalism Source Protection

Protection of Sources and Confidential Information: People's Voice is committed to protecting journalistic sources and maintaining the confidentiality of information provided for investigative purposes. We recognize the critical importance of source protection in journalism and will:

  • Resist Compelled Disclosure: We will challenge legal demands for source information where journalistic privilege may apply and will provide notice to affected sources when legally permissible
  • Minimize Data Collection: We collect only the minimum information necessary for journalistic purposes and encourage anonymous submissions
  • Secure Source Communications: We implement additional security measures for confidential source communications, including encrypted channels where available
  • Editorial Independence: Privacy decisions regarding source information are made independently, prioritizing press freedom and source protection
  • Legal Challenge Authority: We reserve the right to challenge subpoenas, court orders, and other legal processes seeking source information, though we cannot guarantee the outcome of such challenges
  • Notice When Possible: When legally permitted, we will attempt to notify sources of legal demands for their information, though immediate disclosure may prevent such notice in some circumstances

Limitations: While we are committed to source protection, we cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality in all circumstances, particularly when faced with court orders or legal processes that we cannot successfully challenge. Sources should understand these limitations when providing information.

VI. Your Privacy Rights and Choices {#privacy-rights-and-choices}

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction and subject to certain exceptions, you or your authorized agent may exercise the following rights:

Access/Portability: Request access to your Personal Information and receive it in a portable format, including confirmation of what Personal Information we process about you.

Data Export and Portability: While we provide data portability rights, please note that:

  • Data export features may not be immediately available and are subject to future platform development
  • Export requests may require manual processing and significant time to complete
  • We have no obligation to complete data export requests within any specific timeframe
  • Complex export requests may be subject to reasonable fees to cover administrative costs
  • Export format and content may be limited by technical capabilities and legal requirements

Deletion: Request deletion of your Personal Information, including your account, though this may impact your ability to use our Services. We may retain some information as permitted or required by law.

Correction: Request correction of inaccurate Personal Information we hold about you.

Opt-Out of Sale or Sharing: We may share Personal Information with analytics and advertising partners. You have the right to opt-out of such sharing for targeted advertising purposes. To exercise this right, contact us at support@peoplesvoice.media with "Opt-Out Request" in the subject line and include your name and email address associated with your account.

Withdrawal of Consent: Where we process information based on consent, you can withdraw that consent, though this may limit our ability to provide certain services.

Right to Appeal: You may appeal decisions we make regarding your rights requests.

People's Voice will not discriminate against you for exercising any applicable privacy rights.

Operational Capacity and Response Times: People's Voice operates as a small organization with limited resources. While we are committed to honoring your privacy rights, please understand that:

  • We have no obligation to respond to privacy requests within any specific timeframe, though we will make reasonable efforts to respond promptly
  • Complex requests may require additional time to process
  • We may prioritize urgent security and safety matters over routine privacy requests
  • Our response capabilities may be limited during periods of high request volume or operational constraints

Exercising Your Rights

Through Your Account: Account-based privacy controls may be available in the future as our platform develops. Currently, most privacy rights must be exercised by contacting us directly as described below.

Contact Us: For privacy rights requests, contact us at:

When contacting us, please provide:

  • Your full name and email address
  • Description of the right(s) you wish to exercise
  • Your relationship with People's Voice (user, reporter, visitor)

Authorized Agent Requests: Authorized agents may submit requests to support@peoplesvoice.media including:

  • Names and email addresses for both the data subject and agent
  • Evidence of authorization (such as power of attorney)
  • Description of the relationship with People's Voice
  • Specific rights being exercised
  • "Authorized Agent Request" in the subject line

Additional Choices

Communication Preferences:

  • Contact support@peoplesvoice.media to modify your communication preferences
  • Unsubscribe from promotional emails using the unsubscribe link
  • Reply STOP to opt-out of SMS messages

Location Sharing: Manage location permissions through your device settings.

Cookie Preferences: Manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Content Submission Preferences: Contact support@peoplesvoice.media to discuss anonymity options for content submissions.

VII. Supplemental Jurisdiction Specific Disclosures {#jurisdiction-specific-disclosures}

California Residents

Notice at Collection:

  • Categories of Personal Information collected: See Section II
  • Sources of collection: See Section III
  • Purposes for collection: See Section IV
  • Categories of third parties who receive information: See Section V

Your California Privacy Rights: California residents have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know, delete, correct, and opt-out of sale/sharing of Personal Information.

Reporting Metrics: As required by California law, we will publish annual privacy request metrics when applicable. As a new platform, we do not yet have sufficient operational history to provide meaningful metrics. We will update this section with annual reporting data as it becomes available and as required by law.

United States Operations

People's Voice currently operates exclusively within the United States and is subject to applicable US federal and state privacy laws. Our privacy practices are designed to comply with relevant US privacy regulations.

Future International Expansion

As People's Voice expands to serve users in other countries, we will update this Privacy Policy to include jurisdiction-specific disclosures and comply with applicable international privacy laws. Users outside the United States should be aware that our current privacy practices and legal commitments are designed for US operations.

VIII. Security and Retention {#security-and-retention}

Security Measures

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your Personal Information:

Technical Safeguards:

  • Industry-standard HTTPS encryption for all data transmission and storage
  • Secure cloud infrastructure with enterprise-grade hosting providers
  • Multi-layered authentication and access control systems
  • Regular security updates and patch management
  • Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant third-party processors
  • Automated data backup and disaster recovery systems

Administrative Safeguards:

  • Privacy and security policies governing data handling practices
  • Regular review and updates of security protocols
  • Incident response procedures for security events
  • Vendor security assessments for third-party service providers
  • Ongoing security monitoring and threat assessment

Physical Safeguards:

  • Secure data centers with restricted access controls
  • Environmental protections for data storage systems
  • Geographic redundancy for critical data systems

Security Limitations: While we maintain robust security measures, no system is completely immune to all security threats. We cannot guarantee absolute security against sophisticated attacks, system failures, or unauthorized access attempts. Users should be aware that internet-based communications and data storage inherently carry some security risks.

Incident Response: In the event of a security incident, we will investigate promptly and take appropriate remedial action. When legally required, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities within applicable timeframes.

Data Retention

We retain Personal Information only as long as necessary to:

  • Provide our Services to you
  • Fulfill the purposes described in this Policy
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
  • Maintain business records and archives

Retention periods depend on:

  • The type of Personal Information
  • The purposes for which it was collected
  • Your relationship with our platform
  • Legal and regulatory requirements
  • Contractual obligations

Specific Retention Guidelines:

  • Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for 3 years after closure or deletion
  • Submitted Content: May be retained indefinitely for journalistic and historical purposes, subject to your deletion rights
  • Payment Records: Retained as required by financial regulations and tax laws
  • Reporter Information: Retained during the reporter relationship and for [specified period] afterward
  • Communications: Retained for customer service and legal purposes as needed

IX. Cross-Border Transfers of Personal Information {#cross-border-transfers}

Personal Information processed in connection with our Services may be stored, processed, and accessed in locations outside your jurisdiction of residence, including the United States and other countries whose data protection laws may differ from those in your location.

When we transfer Personal Information internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards, including:

  • Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
  • Adequacy decisions by competent authorities
  • Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms
  • Technical and organizational security measures

X. Cookies and Tracking Technologies {#cookies-and-tracking-technologies}

What are Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. Tracking technologies include cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar technologies that collect information about how you interact with our Services.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for our Services to function properly. They enable core functionality such as user authentication, security features, and basic website operations. Essential cookies do not require your consent as they are necessary for providing our Services.

Analytics Cookies: We use Firebase Analytics, a service provided by Google, to understand how users interact with our platform. Firebase Analytics automatically places the following cookies on your device:

  • _ga - Distinguishes unique users and expires after 2 years
  • _ga_* - Used to persist session state and expires after 2 years
  • _gid - Distinguishes unique users and expires after 24 hours
  • _gat - Used to throttle request rates and expires after 1 minute

These analytics cookies help us:

  • Understand user behavior and platform usage patterns
  • Identify popular content and features
  • Improve our Services and user experience
  • Generate aggregated statistics about platform performance

Information Collected Through Cookies

Through cookies and tracking technologies, we may collect:

  • Device and browser information
  • IP addresses and general location data
  • Pages visited and time spent on our platform
  • Referring websites and search terms
  • User interactions with our content and features
  • Technical performance data

Your Choices Regarding Cookies

Browser Settings: You can control cookies through your browser settings:

  • Block All Cookies: Configure your browser to reject all cookies (may impact functionality)
  • Block Third-Party Cookies: Prevent third-party cookies while allowing first-party cookies
  • Delete Existing Cookies: Remove cookies already stored on your device
  • Cookie Notifications: Set your browser to notify you when cookies are being set

Google Analytics Opt-Out: You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by:

  • Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
  • Using browser privacy settings that block analytics cookies
  • Contacting us to request analytics opt-out (though implementation may take time)

Operational Limitations: Please understand that:

  • Cookie preference implementations may not be immediately available
  • We have no obligation to provide cookie management tools within specific timeframes
  • Manual opt-out requests may require significant time to process
  • Advanced cookie preference centers may be subject to future platform development

Legal Basis for Cookie Use

  • Essential Cookies: Processed based on legitimate interests necessary for platform functionality
  • Analytics Cookies: Processed based on legitimate interests for platform improvement, or with your consent where required by applicable law
  • Jurisdiction-Specific Requirements: Cookie practices may vary based on your location and applicable privacy laws

Cookie Retention and Deletion

Cookies have varying lifespans:

  • Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
  • Persistent Cookies: Remain until expiration date or manual deletion
  • Analytics Cookies: Retained according to Google's data retention policies
  • Essential Cookies: Retained as long as necessary for platform functionality

Third-Party Cookie Services

Firebase Analytics: Operated by Google LLC, subject to Google's Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Data collected through Firebase Analytics may be processed by Google for their own analytics and advertising purposes.

Third-Party Links: Our platform may contain links to third-party websites that set their own cookies. We are not responsible for the cookie practices of external websites.

International Cookie Compliance

European Union: If you are located in the EU, we rely on legitimate interests for essential cookies and analytics cookies that serve our operational needs. You have the right to object to non-essential cookie processing.

California and Other US States: We provide this disclosure to inform you about our cookie practices. You may have rights to opt out of certain cookie-based data sharing under state privacy laws.

Other Jurisdictions: Cookie practices comply with applicable local laws where our Services are accessed.

Changes to Cookie Practices

We may update our cookie practices as our platform evolves. Material changes to cookie use will be communicated through:

  • Updates to this Privacy Policy
  • Platform notifications where feasible
  • Email notifications for significant changes (subject to operational capacity)

Contact Us About Cookies

For questions about our cookie practices or to exercise cookie-related rights:

Response Expectations: While we are committed to addressing cookie-related inquiries, please understand that we have no obligation to respond within specific timeframes, though we will make reasonable efforts to respond promptly.

Technical Limitations: Some cookie preferences may require manual implementation and may not be immediately effective. Complex cookie management requests may be subject to operational feasibility and resource constraints.

XI. Personal Information from Children {#information-from-children}

Our Services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age (or the applicable age of majority in their jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under the applicable legal age.

If a parent or guardian believes we have collected Personal Information from a child under the applicable age, please contact us at support@peoplesvoice.media, and we will promptly investigate and delete such information.

XII. Third-Party Sites {#third-party-sites}

Our Services may link to third-party websites, applications, or services not controlled by People's Voice. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. When you provide Personal Information to or through third-party sites, it will be subject to their privacy policies and practices.

XIII. How to Contact Us {#contact-us}

For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Email: support@peoplesvoice.media

Address: People's Voice
Attn: Privacy Team

Support: Available through our platform's help system

XIV. Changes to this Privacy Policy {#changes-to-policy}

We may update this Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, Services, or legal requirements. Material changes will be communicated through:

  • Email notification to registered users
  • Prominent notice on our platform
  • Other appropriate communication methods

Your continued use of our Services after notice of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

The "Last Updated" date at the top of this Policy indicates when it was most recently revised.