Data Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 2025
Last Updated: October 2025

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how the Meiselman Registry, aka MCM Registry (“we,” “us,” or “our”), collects, uses, and shares information when you use our website at https://meiselmanregistry.org (the “Site”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and other applicable federal and state laws.

2. Who We Are

We are the Meiselman Preservation Society.  Our website address is: https://meiselmanregistry.org

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Account Information: When you register for an account, we collect your username, email address, and password.
• Profile Information: Any additional information you choose to add to your user profile.
• Comments: When you leave comments on the Site, we collect the information you provide in the comment form.
• Communications: When you contact us, we collect the contents of your message and any contact information you provide.
• Form Submissions: Any information you submit through forms on our Site.

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Log Data: IP address, browser type and version, browser user agent string, operating system, referring/exit pages, date/time stamps, and clickstream data.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies. See Section 5 for more details.
• Device Information: Information about the device you use to access the Site.
• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the Site.

3.3 Information from Third Parties

• Gravatar: If you use a Gravatar-associated email address, an anonymized string (hash) of your email may be provided to the Gravatar service to retrieve your profile picture. Gravatar’s privacy policy is available at: https://automattic.com/privacy/
• Embedded Content: Third-party embedded content (videos, images, etc.) may collect data about you. See Section 9 for details.

3.4 Media and EXIF Data

If you upload images to the Site, be aware that images may contain embedded location data (EXIF GPS data). Visitors to the Site can download images and extract this location data. We recommend removing location data before uploading images.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Site Operation: To provide, maintain, and improve the Site’s functionality
• Account Management: To create and manage user accounts
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries and send administrative messages
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address spam, fraud, and security issues
• Comment Moderation: To manage and moderate user comments
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
• Analytics: To understand how users interact with the Site and improve user experience

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

5.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Comment Cookies: If you leave a comment, you may opt-in to save your name, email address, and website in cookies for your convenience. These cookies last for one year.

Login Cookies: When you log in, we set several cookies to save your login information and screen display preferences. Login cookies last for two days; screen options cookies last for one year. If you select “Remember Me,” your login persists for two weeks. Login cookies are removed when you log out.

Session Cookies: When you visit our login page, we set a temporary cookie to verify your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

Editing Cookies: If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie is saved in your browser containing the post ID of the article you edited. This cookie expires after one day and contains no personal data.

5.2 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. However, limiting cookies may impact your ability to use certain features of the Site.

6. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on the Site may include embedded content (videos, images, articles, etc.) from other websites. Embedded content behaves as if you visited the other website directly.

These third-party websites may:

• Collect data about you
• Use cookies and tracking technologies
• Monitor your interaction with embedded content, especially if you have an account with them and are logged in

We do not control these third-party websites or their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

7. How We Share Your Information

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

• Password Resets: If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email for security purposes.
• Spam Detection: Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.
• Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf (hosting, analytics, email delivery, etc.).
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.
• Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred.
• With Your Consent: We may share information with your explicit consent.

8. Data Retention

• Comments: Comments and their metadata are retained indefinitely to recognize and auto-approve follow-up comments and maintain site integrity.
• User Accounts: Personal information provided in user profiles is stored for as long as your account remains active or as needed to provide services.
• Log Data: Server logs and IP addresses are typically retained for a limited period for security and analytical purposes.
• Legal Obligations: We may retain information longer when required for legal, administrative, or security purposes.

You may request deletion of your personal data at any time (see Section 10).

9. Your Privacy Rights

9.1 Rights for All Users

You have the right to:

• Access: Request an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including data you’ve provided to us.
• Correction: See, edit, or correct your personal information through your user profile at any time (username cannot be changed).
• Deletion: Request that we erase personal data we hold about you, except data we must retain for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

9.2 Additional Rights for California Residents

If you are a California resident, the CCPA/CPRA provides you with additional rights:

• Right to Know: You have the right to request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected, the categories of sources, the business purposes for collection, and the categories of third parties with whom we share information.
• Right to Delete: You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Correct: You have the right to request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do not sell or share personal information as defined by the CCPA.
• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: If applicable, you may limit our use of sensitive personal information.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: You have the right to not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your privacy rights.

Authorized Agents: California residents may designate an authorized agent to make requests on their behalf.

Shine the Light: California residents may request information about personal information we disclosed to third parties for their direct marketing purposes (if applicable).

9.3 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information in Section 16. We will respond to verifiable requests within the timeframes required by law (typically 45 days, with possible extension).

We may need to verify your identity before processing your request. For deletion requests, we may require confirmation before permanently deleting your data.

10. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage method is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not intended for children under 13 years of age (or 16 in California). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn we have collected information from a child without parental consent, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

12. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. International Users

The Site is operated in the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your country. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer.

14. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature. Our Site does not currently respond to DNT signals. If we do so in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy accordingly.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on this page
• Updating the “Last Updated” date
• Sending an email notification (if you have an account)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Site after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Meiselman Preservation Society
606 N. Monterey Rd.
Palm Springs, CA
Email: MeiselmanRegistry@gmail.com
Phone: 847-682-4997

For California residents exercising CCPA/CPRA rights, please use the contact information above.

Note: This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through the Site and not to information collected offline or through other means.