Effective Date: [December 22, 2025]
At ScholarlyChat (https://scholarlychat.com), we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you visit our website and participate in our forums.
1. Information We Collect
Because ScholarlyChat is powered by WordPress and the wpForo forum plugin, we collect information in the following ways:
- Account Information: When you register for an account, we collect your username, email address, and any optional profile information you choose to provide (such as a biography or profile picture).
- Forum Activity: We store the content of the posts, topics, and private messages you create within the forum to ensure the community functions correctly.
- Technical Data: Like most websites, we automatically collect certain information when you visit, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the dates/times of your visits. This is used for security and site administration.
- Cookies: We use cookies to keep you logged in and to remember your forum preferences. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features of the site may not function properly without them.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Maintain and operate the forum community.
- Send essential account notifications (e.g., password resets or thread subscriptions).
- Protect the site from spam, fraud, and abuse.
- Improve the user experience of the website.
3. Advertising and Third-Party Services
Currently, ScholarlyChat does not display third-party advertisements. The site is provided as a free resource.
However, please be advised that advertising may be introduced at a future date. If we decide to implement advertising, we will update this Privacy Policy to disclose any third-party ad networks used and the types of tracking (such as advertising cookies) they may employ.
4. Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information (not linked to any personal identification) with partners for the purposes outlined above.
We may also disclose your information if required by law or to protect the safety and rights of ScholarlyChat and its users.
5. Data Retention and Deletion
- Retention: We retain your account data for as long as your account is active.
- Your Rights: You have the right to access, edit, or delete your personal information. You can manage most of your data directly through your Forum Profile settings.
- Requesting Deletion: If you wish to close your account and have your personal data removed, please contact us at [Insert Contact Email]. Please note that while your profile data can be deleted, your public forum posts may remain (anonymized) to maintain the integrity of the discussions.
6. Security
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
7. Changes to This Policy
ScholarlyChat has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. We encourage users to frequently check this page for any changes.
8. Contacting Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:
Website: https://scholarlychat.com
Email: dminyard@gmail.com