Privacy Policy for Panhandle Alternative Lifestyle Society (PALS)
Last Updated: August 4, 2025
1. Introduction
Welcome to Panhandle Alternative Lifestyle Society (PALS) (“we,” “us,” “our”). We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our website visitors, members, and event attendees (“you”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you visit our website [https://cjg.vqa.mybluehost.me] (the “Site”), sign up for our newsletter, apply for membership, register for events, or otherwise interact with us.
As a BDSM education and lifestyle group, we understand the importance of discretion and confidentiality. We take the safety and security of our community very seriously, which includes specific screening procedures as detailed below. We encourage you to read this policy carefully to understand our practices. By using our Site or submitting information for membership or events, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
2. Who We Are
Panhandle Alternative Lifestyle Society (PALS) is an organization dedicated to BDSM education and fostering a safe community environment for alternative lifestyles. Our contact information can be found at the end of this policy.
3. Information We Collect
We collect different types of information for various purposes, including ensuring the safety of our community:
- a) Personal Information You Provide Directly:
- Contact Information: Such as your email address when you sign up for our newsletter or use a contact form. We use Google’s services for email delivery.
- Membership/Screening Information: When you apply for membership or register for certain designated events requiring screening, we collect your full name, location (e.g., city/state or potentially full address as required for the check), and date of birth. This information is collected explicitly and solely for the purpose of conducting National Sex Offender Registry (NSR) checks as a condition of membership or participation, aimed at protecting the safety of our members and community. Your explicit consent for this specific use will be required at the time of collection.
- Communication Data: Records and copies of your correspondence if you contact us.
- b) Information Collected Automatically (Usage Data):
- Log Data & IP Addresses: When you access the Site, our servers automatically record information your browser sends, including your computer’s Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type, browser version, pages visited, time/date of visit, time spent on pages, and other statistics. IP addresses are collected as part of standard web server operations and security monitoring.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies for Site functionality, analytics, and user experience.
- Google Captcha: We use Google reCAPTCHA on parts of our site to prevent automated abuse (spam bots). This service collects hardware and software information, such as device and application data, and sends it to Google for analysis purposes. The use of reCAPTCHA is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
- c) Sensitive Information:
- Beyond the Name, Location, and Date of Birth collected specifically for NSR screening (as detailed above), we generally do not seek to collect other sensitive personal information unless essential for a service you explicitly request and consent to. Your general interest in PALS and BDSM, implied by visiting or subscribing, is handled with confidentiality.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
- To provide and maintain our Site and services.
- To send you our newsletter (if you subscribe) containing news, event details, tips, and related content via Google’s email services.
- To conduct mandatory safety screenings: Specifically, using the Name, Location, and Date of Birth provided during applicable registration/application processes to perform National Sex Offender Registry (NSR) checks to enhance community safety.
- To manage memberships and event registrations.
- To communicate with you and respond to inquiries.
- To ensure Site security, prevent fraud, and address technical issues, including using Google Captcha.
- To comply with legal obligations.
5. How We Share Your Information
We limit the sharing of your personal information. We do not sell your personal information. Sharing occurs only as follows:
- For NSR Checks: The Name, Location, and Date of Birth you provide for screening purposes may be shared with the DRU SJODIN National Sex Offender Public Website. If a third-party provider is used, they are contractually obligated to use the data solely for performing the NSR check requested by PALS and to maintain confidentiality and security. The results of the check are used internally by PALS for safety assessment.
- With Service Providers: We share information with third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf. This includes:
- Google: For captcha services.
- Amazon: For email deliver
- BlueHost: Our webhost
- Square: For payment processing
- These providers only have access to the information necessary to perform their functions and are obligated to protect your data.
- For Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.
- With Your Consent: For any other purpose not listed here, we will obtain your explicit consent before sharing your personal information.
- Aggregated Data: We may share aggregated or anonymized information, which cannot reasonably be used to identify you.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies for site functionality and analytics. Google reCAPTCHA may also place cookies. You can manage cookie preferences via your browser, but disabling them may impact site usability.
7. Data Security
We implement robust administrative, technical, and physical security measures appropriate to the sensitivity of the information we collect, particularly the data used for NSR checks (Name, Location, DOB). Measures include data encryption at rest and in transit, least required permissions, and other industry standard access controls. However, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
- Newsletter Data: Retained as long as you are subscribed.
- Usage Data (IPs, Logs): Retained for a limited period for security and analytics.
- NSR Check Data: Information provided for NSOR checks (Name, DOB, Location) and the results of those checks are maintained in accordance with our internal documentation standards. This data and the check results may be retained for the duration of the individual’s membership with PALS, or for a period of 2 years after the membership ends or the check was conducted (if membership was not granted or maintained), whichever period is longer. This retention supports ongoing community safety efforts and our record-keeping requirements.
- Communication Data: Correspondence may be retained as needed to address inquiries or maintain records.
9. Your Privacy Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may have rights regarding your personal information:
- Access, Correction, Deletion: You can request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information (including Name, DOB, Location), subject to legal or operational exceptions (e.g., data needed for ongoing membership validation or legal compliance).
- Opt-Out: You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the link provided or by contacting us. Note: Opting out of the newsletter does not automatically withdraw consent for necessary processing like NSR checks if you are applying for/maintaining membership requiring them.
To exercise rights, contact us using the details below. We will verify your identity before processing requests.
10. Children’s Privacy
Our Site and membership are strictly intended for individuals 21 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.
11. Links to Other Sites
Our Site may link to external sites not operated by us. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Review their policies.
12. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States and potentially other countries where our service providers (like Google) operate. Data protection laws may differ. By providing your information, you consent to these transfers.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this policy. Changes are effective when posted here with an updated “Last Updated” date. We will notify you of significant changes, potentially via email or a notice on our Site. Please review periodically.
14. Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:
Website Contact Form: