Effective Date: May 21, 2025

At Handthentic, we value and respect your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services — including when you apply to be verified or submit information for a public creator listing.

By accessing or using our website, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our site.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect various types of information depending on how you interact with our website and services. This includes:

a. Personal Information

When you apply for verification, fill out forms, or contact us directly, we may collect personal information such as your name, email address, bio, work category (e.g. writing, design), portfolio links, creative samples, and other identifying or professional details.

b. Non-Personal Information

We may collect non-personal information such as your browser type, device type, IP address, referral source, and browsing behavior on our site. This helps us improve the user experience and optimize site performance.

c. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and gather data about site usage. You can configure your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when they are used. Please note that disabling cookies may affect certain site features.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To evaluate verification applications and approve public creator listings

• To issue and deliver Handthentic badges

• To publish approved profiles on the Verified Creators directory (with consent)

• To operate, improve, and personalize our website and services

• To communicate with you regarding your application, profile, or questions

• To send updates, responses, or relevant platform information

• To monitor usage and analyze trends

• To detect, prevent, and address technical or security issues

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information with trusted third-party providers who help us operate our platform:

• Service Providers: We may share data with platforms such as Tally.so (for form submissions), Notion or Airtable (for internal workflows), and others assisting with hosting, analytics, or communication.

• Public Listings: If your application is approved, your name, bio, and portfolio link may be displayed publicly on the Handthentic Verified Creators directory, with your consent.

• Legal Compliance: We may disclose your information if required to comply with legal obligations or lawful requests.

• Business Transfers: In the event of a business acquisition, merger, or sale, user data may be part of the transferred assets.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the personal information we collect. These include access controls, secure storage, and trusted third-party services. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We do our best to protect your data but cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you

• Correction: Ask us to update or correct your data

• Deletion: Request that we delete your information, subject to legal or operational limitations

• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from communication by using the link in any email or contacting us directly

• Unpublish: Request that your verified creator profile be unpublished or removed from the directory

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email listed below.

6. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites or platforms not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.

7. Children’s Privacy

Handthentic is intended for use by individuals 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect or publish information from individuals under 18. If we learn that we have unintentionally collected such data, we will promptly delete it.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will always be posted on this page with a revised "Effective Date." Continued use of the site after updates constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you’d like to access, edit, or remove your information, please contact us at:

Email: hello@handthentic.com

By using Handthentic, you acknowledge that you’ve read and understand this Privacy Policy.