🔒 Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Forum Submission Data

When you submit questions through our Forum, we collect:

• Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number (optional)
• Location Information: City and state for regional educational purposes
• Question Content: Category, urgency level, question title, and detailed description
• Technical Data: IP address, user agent, submission timestamp

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

Our website automatically collects:

• IP address and general location information
• Browser type and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on site
• Referral source and exit pages
• Device type and screen resolution

1.3 GoHighLevel (GHL) Integration Data

Forum submissions are processed through GHL systems, which collect and store:

• Contact information for CRM management
• Forum interaction history and preferences
• Communication preferences and opt-in status
• Educational resource delivery tracking

Data Type	Collection Method	Purpose	Retention Period
Contact Information	Forum Submission	Educational Resources, Emergency Notification	5 Years
Question Content	Forum Submission	Educational Discussions, Expert Responses	Permanent (Educational Archive)
Website Analytics	Automatic Collection	Site Improvement, User Experience	2 Years
Emergency Contact Data	Emergency Form Submissions	Immediate Response Coordination	7 Years

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Educational Purposes

• Providing expert responses to forum questions
• Creating educational content and resources
• Facilitating Authority Reversal Framework™ education
• Building educational archives for future reference

2.2 Emergency Response Coordination

For submissions marked as "Emergency" urgency:

• Immediate SMS and email notifications to restoration professionals
• Emergency response coordination and follow-up
• Professional referral and assessment scheduling
• Safety follow-up and educational resource delivery

2.3 Communication and Follow-Up

• Expert response delivery and notification
• Educational newsletter and resource sharing
• Follow-up surveys and feedback collection
• Regional educational event notifications

2.4 Website Improvement

• Analytics for user experience optimization
• Content performance measurement
• Technical performance monitoring
• Security monitoring and threat detection

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 Emergency Response Sharing

For emergency-classified submissions, we may share contact information with:

• Licensed restoration professionals for immediate response
• Emergency response coordinators and dispatchers
• Professional assessment specialists
• Insurance claim coordinators when appropriate

3.2 Service Provider Sharing

We share information with trusted service providers:

• GoHighLevel (GHL): CRM management and communication automation
• Netlify: Website hosting and form processing
• Analytics Providers: Website performance and user experience analysis
• Email Services: Educational resource delivery and notifications

3.3 Legal Disclosure Requirements

We may disclose information when required by:

• Legal process, court orders, or government requests
• Law enforcement investigations
• Protection of rights, property, or safety
• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations

3.4 What We Don't Share

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We do not share information for commercial purposes unrelated to restoration education and emergency response.

4. Data Security and Protection

4.1 Security Measures

• SSL encryption for all data transmission
• Secure server infrastructure with access controls
• Regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessments
• Employee access restrictions and security training
• Regular data backup and recovery procedures

4.2 GHL Security Integration

GoHighLevel provides enterprise-level security including:

• SOC 2 Type II compliance
• Advanced encryption and data protection
• Regular security audits and penetration testing
• GDPR and privacy regulation compliance

4.3 Data Breach Response

In the event of a data security incident:

• Immediate assessment and containment procedures
• Notification to affected users within 72 hours
• Coordination with law enforcement when appropriate
• Transparent communication about impact and remediation steps

5. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

5.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to:

• Access personal information we have collected
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Update contact preferences and communication settings
• Review forum submission history and expert responses

5.2 Data Deletion and Portability

You may request to:

• Delete personal information (subject to legal and educational archive requirements)
• Export your data in commonly used formats
• Restrict processing for specific purposes
• Withdraw consent for non-essential communications

5.3 Communication Preferences

You can control communications by:

• Unsubscribing from educational newsletters
• Opting out of non-emergency communications
• Updating notification preferences in your profile
• Requesting removal from follow-up campaigns

Note: Emergency response notifications cannot be opted out of for emergency-classified submissions, as these serve safety purposes.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

6.1 Cookie Usage

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

• Essential website functionality and security
• User preference storage and session management
• Analytics and performance measurement
• Content personalization and user experience improvement

6.2 Third-Party Analytics

We use analytics services that may collect information through cookies:

• Google Analytics for website performance analysis
• Netlify Analytics for hosting and form performance
• GHL tracking for communication effectiveness

6.3 Cookie Management

You can manage cookies through your browser settings, but note that disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality.

7. Children's Privacy

7.1 Age Restrictions

The Northern Virginia Restoration Forum is intended for adult users (18+ years) dealing with property restoration issues. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18.

7.2 Parental Rights

If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will:

• Delete the information immediately
• Not use the information for any purpose
• Not share the information with third parties
• Notify parents or guardians when possible

8. International Users and Data Transfers

8.1 Geographic Scope

This Forum primarily serves Virginia residents, but we welcome educational participation from users in other locations. All data is processed and stored in the United States.

8.2 International Data Protection

For international users, we provide privacy protections consistent with:

• Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA)
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) standards
• Other applicable international privacy regulations

9. Privacy Policy Updates

9.1 Policy Modifications

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:

• Changes in legal requirements
• New features or services
• Improved data protection practices
• User feedback and privacy enhancement requests

9.2 Update Notifications

When we make significant changes:

• Updated policy will be posted on this page
• Email notification to active forum users
• 30-day advance notice for material changes
• Continued use constitutes acceptance of updated terms