Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 26, 2025
Your Privacy Matters to Us
At EmotionCower, we understand that sharing your emotional journey requires trust. This privacy policy explains how we protect and handle your sensitive personal information with the utmost care and confidentiality.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information to provide safe, supportive emotional wellness services:
Information You Provide
- Account Information: Username (can be anonymous), email, age range, and optional profile details
- Wellness Data: Mood tracking entries, journal reflections, and wellness goals
- Community Interactions: Forum posts, support group participation, and peer messages
- Support Requests: Communications with our support team and feedback
Automatically Collected Information
- Usage Patterns: Features used, session duration, and engagement metrics
- Crisis Indicators: Patterns that may indicate immediate support needs
- Technical Data: Device type, browser, and general location (city-level only)
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information exclusively to support your emotional wellness journey:
- Provide personalized wellness resources and recommendations
- Enable mood tracking and progress visualization
- Facilitate safe community connections and peer support
- Identify users who may need crisis intervention resources
- Improve our platform's effectiveness and user experience
- Send wellness tips and platform updates (with your consent)
- Conduct anonymized research to advance emotional wellness understanding
3. Our Commitment to Confidentiality
Your emotional wellness data is treated with the highest level of confidentiality:
- No Selling of Data: We NEVER sell your personal or wellness information
- Limited Sharing: We only share data when legally required or for your safety
- Anonymization: Research uses only aggregated, de-identified data
- Voluntary Disclosure: You control what you share in community spaces
Exceptions for Safety
We may share information without consent only in these limited circumstances:
- Imminent risk of harm to yourself or others
- Legal requirements (court orders, subpoenas)
- Child abuse or elder abuse reporting obligations
4. Data Security and Protection
We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your sensitive information:
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption for journal entries and private messages
- Access Controls: Strict authentication and role-based access
- Regular Audits: Third-party security assessments and compliance reviews
- Staff Training: All team members trained in confidentiality protocols
- Secure Infrastructure: HIPAA-compliant hosting and data storage
- Incident Response: 24/7 monitoring and rapid response procedures
5. Your Rights and Choices
You have full control over your personal information:
Access and Control
- View Your Data: Access all information we have about you
- Download Your Data: Export your wellness journey in standard formats
- Update Information: Correct or modify your personal details
- Delete Your Account: Remove your data with our secure deletion process
Privacy Settings
- Control visibility of your profile and activity
- Choose which notifications you receive
- Opt-out of anonymized research participation
- Manage community interaction preferences
6. Data Retention
We retain data based on its purpose and your preferences:
- Active Accounts: Data retained while you use our services
- Deleted Content: Removed immediately from public view, fully deleted within 30 days
- Crisis Intervention Records: Kept for 6 months for safety follow-up
- Anonymized Data: May be retained indefinitely for research
- Legal Holds: Extended retention only when legally required
7. Cookies and Tracking
We use minimal tracking to enhance your experience:
- Essential Cookies: Required for secure login and session management
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and customizations
- Analytics: Understand feature usage (can be disabled)
- No Third-Party Tracking: We don't use advertising cookies
8. Minors and Vulnerable Populations
We take special care to protect young users and vulnerable individuals:
- Users under 13 require parental consent
- Enhanced privacy defaults for users under 18
- Age-appropriate resources and community spaces
- Additional safeguards for users in crisis
- Mandatory reporting for child safety concerns
9. International Users
We welcome users globally while respecting local privacy laws:
- GDPR compliance for European users
- COPPA compliance for young users
- Data stored in secure facilities with appropriate safeguards
- Cross-border transfers use standard contractual clauses
10. Updates to This Policy
We may update this policy to enhance privacy protections:
- Email notification for significant changes
- 30-day notice period before changes take effect
- Option to download data before policy changes
- Continued use constitutes acceptance of updates
Mental Health Resources
Remember, EmotionCower supplements but doesn't replace professional care:
- Crisis Hotline: 988 (US) or see our global crisis resources
- Emergency: Contact 911 or local emergency services
- Professional Help: We encourage consulting licensed therapists
Contact Our Privacy Team
We're here to address your privacy concerns with compassion and care:
Privacy Support: [email protected]
Data Requests: [email protected]
Safety Concerns: [email protected]
General Support: [email protected]
Response time: Within 48 hours, 24 hours for urgent privacy matters