Privacy Policy
Blind Cafe, Inc. respects the privacy of its members, applicants, volunteers, and website visitors.
1. Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to the BlindCafe website, membership portal, and BlindCafe-controlled TeamTalk community. It applies to personal information collected or controlled by Blind Cafe, Inc.
This policy does not control independent websites, services, or people outside BlindCafe. When you follow a link to another website, review that website's privacy policy before providing information.
2. Age Requirement
Membership applicants must be at least 18 years old. BlindCafe may restrict access to particular rooms, programs, or activities when additional age requirements apply.
3. Information We Collect
A membership application asks for your first and last name, requested TeamTalk username, email address, password, and information about yourself and why you want to join. It also records your required age and policy confirmations.
If your application is approved, BlindCafe creates your website and TeamTalk accounts. Your public BlindCafe Member ID, TeamTalk username, optional website display name, email address, account status, program participation, and necessary administrative history may be stored as part of operating those accounts.
Like most websites and online services, BlindCafe may receive technical information such as an IP address, browser information, server-log records, and session-cookie information.
4. Password Information
Your application password is encrypted while the application is awaiting review. If you are approved, the password becomes the credential for your website and TeamTalk accounts. BlindCafe must keep the TeamTalk credential in the form required by the TeamTalk server.
Do not share your password. BlindCafe administrators will never ask you to send your password by email.
5. How Information Is Used
BlindCafe may use member and applicant information to:
- Review membership applications and communicate decisions.
- Create, maintain, secure, and support member accounts.
- Provide TeamTalk access, activities, sports, and other programs.
- Enforce BlindCafe policies and protect members and property.
- Improve the website, services, and member experience.
- Meet legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.
6. Information Sharing
BlindCafe does not sell or rent individual personal information. Information may be shared when you consent, when a service needed to operate BlindCafe requires it, when required by law or legal process, when necessary to protect BlindCafe or another person, or when investigating a serious policy or security violation.
Hosting, email-delivery, voice-chat, and other service providers may process limited information on BlindCafe's behalf. BlindCafe expects those providers to use the information only to provide the requested service and to protect it appropriately.
If BlindCafe or its services are transferred to another organization, information may be transferred only for continued operation and subject to applicable law.
7. Cookies
The membership portal uses a session cookie to keep an authenticated member signed in and to protect account functions. Browser or server settings may also be used for security and reliable operation.
8. Account Choices and Deletion
Members may update their website display name and password through the membership portal. A valid email address is required because it is used for website authentication and account communication.
A member may request or initiate account deletion. Deletion removes website and TeamTalk access and erases active profile and contact information. BlindCafe retains the permanent anonymous Member ID and may retain anonymized historical program results and required audit records.
Material a member previously contributed outside their account profile, such as an article, recording, or program document, may remain when BlindCafe has a legitimate archival or operational reason to keep it.
9. Data Retention
BlindCafe keeps personal information only as long as reasonably needed to review applications, provide accounts and programs, maintain security, document administrative decisions, resolve disputes, and meet legal obligations.
Password information retained with a pending application is removed after the application reaches a final outcome. Other application information may remain in restricted administrative history. Account deletion erases active personal and contact information as described above while preserving anonymized identifiers, program history, and required audit records.
BlindCafe operates its website and TeamTalk services from the United States. Members outside the United States understand that their information will be processed and stored in the United States.
10. Security and Limitations
BlindCafe uses reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect information. No website, voice-chat service, transmission, or storage system can guarantee absolute security. Conditions outside BlindCafe's control may result in unauthorized disclosure.
If BlindCafe determines that a security breach requires notification, it will provide notice as required by applicable law.
11. Changes to This Policy
BlindCafe may update this policy as its website and services change. The current version will be posted on this page. When practical, substantial changes may also be announced on the website or sent to the email address associated with a member account.
12. Contact Us
Questions about this policy or your personal information may be sent through the Contact Us page.