Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how QSO LIFE ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you use our website and services (collectively, the "Service"). Your privacy is critically important to us, and we are committed to protecting it. This policy explains your rights and choices regarding your personal information. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, information we collect automatically, and information from third-party sources.

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect information such as your name, email address, username, and password. You may optionally provide your amateur radio call sign, which may be publicly displayed.
• User Content: We collect all content you submit to the Service, including posts, comments, project details, schematics, images, and private messages.
• Usage Information: We automatically collect information about your interactions with the Service, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, links clicked, and the dates and times of your visits.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Service and hold certain information to enhance and personalize your user experience.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide, maintain, and improve the Service.
• To personalize your experience and display content relevant to your interests.
• To communicate with you, including sending service-related announcements, technical notices, updates, and support messages.
• To enforce our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, and to prevent fraudulent or illegal activity.
• To monitor and analyze trends, usage, and activities in connection with our Service.
• To comply with legal obligations, such as responding to lawful requests from public authorities.

4. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information about you in the following limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: We may share information with your consent or at your direction.
• Publicly Shared Information: Your profile information (like username and call sign) and User Content are visible to the public.
• Service Providers: We may share information with third-party vendors and service providers who need access to such information to carry out work on our behalf (e.g., web hosting, analytics).
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if we believe that disclosure is in accordance with, or required by, any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company, your information may be transferred.

5. User Content and Public Information

Please be aware that any information you post in public areas of the Service, such as forums or project pages, will be visible to others. Amateur radio call signs are, by their nature, publicly searchable through official databases (e.g., the FCC ULS). While we do not aggregate and post this data ourselves, you should be mindful that by displaying your call sign, you are linking your activity on this Service to publicly available information. Exercise caution when deciding to disclose personal information in public areas.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as is necessary to provide the Service to you and to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. User Content you post may be retained indefinitely to maintain the integrity of community discussions, even after your account is deleted.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable measures, including administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, to protect your information from loss, theft, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights and choices regarding your information:

• Account Information: You may access, update, or correct your account information at any time by logging into your account settings.
• Account Deletion: You may request to delete your account by contacting us. Please note that some information, such as your posts and comments, may remain on our servers in an anonymized or aggregated form.
• Cookies: Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. If you prefer, you can usually choose to set your browser to remove or reject browser cookies.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for or directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information.

10. International Data Transfers

QSO LIFE is based in the United States, and we process and store information on servers located in the United States. By accessing or using the Service, you consent to the processing and transfer of your information in and to the United States and other countries, where you may not have the same rights and protections as you do under local law.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make changes, we will notify you by revising the "Last Updated" date at the top of the policy and, in some cases, we may provide you with additional notice (such as adding a statement to our homepage or sending you a notification). We encourage you to review the Privacy Policy whenever you access the Service to stay informed about our information practices.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact our legal team at legal@qso.life.