Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 21, 2024

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how healthcarehorror.com (the “Website,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and discloses information about users (“you” or “your”). By using the Website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information: When you create an account, we may collect your email address, username, and any other information you choose to provide.
Content: Any stories, comments, or other materials you submit to the Website may contain personal or sensitive information that you choose to share publicly.
Log Data: Our servers automatically record information (“Log Data”) created by your use of the Website. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, the pages you visit, and the time spent on those pages.
Cookies and Third-Party Analytics: We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on the Website. We may also use third-party analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics) to collect and analyze information about your use of the Website, including the pages you visit, the time you spend on those pages, and other usage statistics. These tools may use cookies or other tracking technologies to help us understand how you interact with our Website. To learn more about how Google Analytics collects and processes data, please visit Google’s Privacy Policy.

3. How We Use Your Information

To Operate the Website: We use your information to provide you with the services and features of the Website, including managing your account and enabling you to post or comment.
Transactional and Informational Emails: We send transactional and informational emails, such as:
- Account sign-up confirmations
- Password reset instructions
- Story submission notifications
- Periodic community updates (non-promotional)
Promotional Emails: We may occasionally inform you of new features, events, or other offers related to the Website. If we send promotional emails, we will comply with applicable laws (e.g., CAN-SPAM, GDPR) and provide you with an option to opt out of such communications.
Analytics: We use aggregated or anonymized data for internal analytics to improve the Website’s functionality, user experience, and to better understand our audience.

4. Legal Bases for Processing

Depending on where you reside, we may process your personal information under one or more of the following legal bases:

Consent: Where required by law (for example, before sending certain promotional communications), we may seek your consent to process your personal information. If at any time you wish to withdraw your consent, you can do so by contacting us or using any opt-out mechanism provided.
Legitimate Interests: We may process your information for our legitimate interests, such as improving the Website, maintaining a safe environment, sending necessary transactional communications, and analyzing how users interact with our content. We do not currently deploy non-essential cookies that require a banner or notice under most jurisdictions, but if our practices change, we will update this Privacy Policy accordingly.
Compliance with Legal Obligations: We may process your information to comply with applicable laws or respond to lawful requests.

5. Sharing Your Information

Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Website (e.g., hosting providers, email services, and analytics providers such as Google Analytics).
Legal Requirements: We may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or a government agency).
Protecting Rights: We may disclose information to protect our rights, property, or personal safety, as well as the rights, property, or personal safety of our users or the public, in compliance with applicable law.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as is necessary to provide the services or fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

7. Your Choices

Account Information: You can update or correct your account information by logging into your account settings.
Cookies and Analytics: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. Disabling cookies may affect some features of the Website.
Email Communication:
- Transactional/Informational: These are necessary for your account (e.g., password resets, notifications about your posts) and you cannot opt out of receiving them as they are critical to the Website’s functionality.
- Promotional: You can opt out of such communications by following the unsubscribe link provided in any promotional email or by adjusting your notification preferences in your account settings (if available).

8. Security

We use commercially reasonable measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, theft, alteration, or destruction. However, no security measure is foolproof, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

9. Children’s Privacy

This Website is not intended for individuals under the age of [13/16, depending on jurisdiction]. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

10. International Users

If you are accessing the Website from outside the United States (or your country of operation), your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in a different country. By using the Website, you consent to the transfer of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page, with an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Website after any modifications indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.