Who We Are
Virginia Creators (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website virginiacreators.com (the “Site”). Our website address is: https://virginiacreators.com.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here. If you have questions, contact us at liz@virginiacreators.com.
Information We Collect
Information you give us. When you join our community, sign up for our newsletter, register for an event, submit your information to a directory, leave a comment, fill out a contact form, or otherwise reach out, we may collect details such as your name, email address, website or social media handles, business or brand name, and anything else you choose to share.
Information collected automatically. Like most websites, we automatically collect certain technical information when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits. This is collected through cookies and similar technologies (see below).
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Site and our community
- Communicate with you, including sending newsletters, event details, and updates you’ve signed up for
- Manage memberships, directory listings, and event registrations
- Respond to your questions and requests
- Coordinate brand partnerships and opportunities relevant to our creator community
- Understand how visitors use the Site so we can make it better
- Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
Comments
When visitors leave comments on the Site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.
An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
Cookies
If you leave a comment on our Site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.
If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.
When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me,” your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.
If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.
We may also use analytics cookies (for example, Google Analytics) to understand how the Site is used. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent, though some parts of the Site may not function properly if you disable them.
Embedded Content From Other Websites
Articles on this Site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
Email and Newsletters
If you subscribe to our newsletter or email list, we use a third-party email service provider to manage and send those messages. Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time.
How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information:
- With service providers who help us run the Site and community (such as hosting, email, analytics, and event/registration tools)
- When you choose to make information public (for example, a directory listing, member profile, or approved comment)
- If required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Virginia Creators, our members, or others
- In connection with a business transfer, such as a merger or sale of assets
If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email.
How Long We Retain Your Data
If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.
For users who register on our Site (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.
What Rights You Have Over Your Data
If you have an account on this Site or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
Depending on where you live, you may also have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal information, and to opt out of marketing communications.
Virginia residents: Under the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), you may have additional rights regarding your personal data. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at liz@virginiacreators.com. We will respond as required by applicable law.
Where Your Data Is Sent
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.
Advertising
CMI Marketing, Inc., d/b/a Raptive (“Raptive”) is a service provider of this Site for the purposes of placing advertising on the Site, and Raptive will collect and use certain data for advertising purposes. To learn more about Raptive’s data usage, click here: https://raptive.com/creator-advertising-privacy-statement/
Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children’s Privacy
The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we’ll revise the “Effective date” above. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: liz@virginiacreators.com