Privacy Policy

CharlestonRanked ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website at charlestonranked.com (the "Site"). This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. If you have questions, email us at team@charlestonranked.com.

We collect information in three ways:

• Information you give us. When you create an account, vote, comment, save favorites, submit a place, or contact us, we collect what you provide — typically a name or display name, email address, and the content of your submission.
• Information collected automatically. Like most sites, we automatically receive your IP address, browser type, device type, referring page, and pages viewed. We use cookies and similar technologies (described below) to recognize returning visitors and remember preferences.
• Information from third parties. If you sign in via a third-party identity provider, we receive the basic profile fields you authorize (typically email and display name).

• To operate the Site, authenticate accounts, and tally votes.
• To respond to messages, submissions, and support requests.
• To detect and prevent fraud, vote manipulation, spam, and abuse.
• To improve the Site — what content people read, what searches return nothing, what's broken.
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

We use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, understand how the Site is used, and serve advertising. Some cookies are set by us; others are set by third-party services we use (described in the next section).

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but parts of the Site (sign-in, voting) will not work correctly without them.

We use Google AdSense, a third-party advertising service provided by Google LLC, to serve ads on the Site. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to our users based on their visits to this and other sites on the Internet.

• Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this Site or other websites.
• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to our users based on their visit to our Site and/or other sites on the Internet.
• Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, users can opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting www.aboutads.info.
• For more information on how Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps, see Google's Privacy & Terms.

We use trusted vendors to run the Site, including a hosted database and authentication provider (Supabase) and email/communications tools. These providers process information on our behalf under contractual confidentiality and security obligations and are not permitted to use it for their own purposes.

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only:

• With service providers who help us operate the Site (described above).
• To comply with the law, valid legal process, or to protect rights, safety, or property.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with notice to you.
• With your consent, or at your direction.

Aggregated and de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you may be shared without restriction.

• Access, correction, deletion. You can update most account information from your profile, and you can email us to request a copy of your data or to delete your account.
• Marketing email. Every newsletter has an unsubscribe link. Transactional emails (account, security) cannot be opted out of while your account is active.
• Cookie controls. Use the consent banner on the Site or your browser settings.
• Region-specific rights. Residents of California (CCPA/CPRA), the EU/UK (GDPR), and other regions may have additional rights, including the right to know, delete, correct, and limit certain processing. Email us to exercise these rights.

The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

We keep account information for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward to comply with legal obligations and resolve disputes. We use commercially reasonable technical and organizational safeguards. No system is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We will update this page when our practices change. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be highlighted on the Site.

Questions, requests, or complaints? Email team@charlestonranked.com or use our contact page.