Privacy policy

1. Information we collect

We collect information you provide directly, such as account details, business listing information, photos, messages, claim materials, advertising inquiries, saved preferences and newsletter sign-ups.

We also collect technical and usage information needed to operate, secure and understand the directory, such as page activity, 30-minute first-party session identifiers, browser and device characteristics, security-oriented browser fingerprint signals, observed IP addresses, reverse-DNS hostnames when available, network/ASN information, approximate IP-derived region when available, and referring pages. Observed IP addresses are protected with passphrase-controlled envelope encryption and restricted to super-administrator analytics/security access; ordinary analytics correlation uses one-way network hashes. The network decryption passphrase and one-time recovery key are not stored by the site. Reverse DNS may identify an ISP, hosting provider, VPN/proxy, crawler network or corporate network and is not treated as proof of a person’s identity. Raw browser fingerprint identifiers are converted to one-way application hashes for security correlation and are not used as advertising identifiers. Precise browser location is used only when you choose a location-based feature.

2. How we use information

• Provide accounts, listings, claims, moderation, communications and directory features.
• Protect accounts, prevent abuse, investigate reports and maintain service security.
• Maintain and improve directory accuracy, accessibility and performance.
• Send optional marketing only when you have chosen to receive it; account and service messages may still be sent when necessary.
• Comply with law, enforce our terms and respond to valid legal process.

3. Business listings and public information

Business listings are intended to contain public business information. Information submitted for a public listing may be displayed publicly. Do not submit private personal information into public business fields. Researched listings may be created from public sources and can be corrected, reported or claimed.

4. Cookies, analytics and advertising

AroundThomasville uses necessary cookies for security, sessions and account functions. Optional Google Analytics, advertising and administrator-enabled preference cookies, browser telemetry, privacy-masked session replay, and browser-fingerprint telemetry are not loaded or written unless optional cookies have been accepted in this browser. Preference-cookie values stay in the visitor’s browser and are not stored on our servers. Internal directory analytics are designed as first-party operational measurements rather than a cross-site advertising profile. When optional telemetry is allowed, security correlation may associate a one-way browser fingerprint hash with first-party sessions, privacy-hashed network identifiers and account IDs to investigate abuse, scraper behavior and account-security events.

5. Google Analytics, Google advertising and consent

When you affirmatively accept optional cookies, AroundThomasville may load the Google tag (Google Analytics measurement ID G-605H2RYVML) and Google advertising technology. Google and its partners may receive information about your visit, including page URLs, browser or device information, cookie identifiers and interaction data, to provide audience measurement, advertising measurement and, when applicable, personalized advertising. Google may process this information according to its own policies. We do not load the Google Analytics tag before optional consent is granted.

Accepting optional cookies authorizes analytics storage, advertising storage, the sending of user data to Google for advertising measurement (ad_user_data), and personalized advertising (ad_personalization). Rejecting optional cookies does not authorize those uses. You may change or withdraw your choice through Privacy & Cookie Choices at any time. Consent is saved in this browser for up to 180 days; clearing cookies resets the choice. Necessary security and account cookies remain available regardless of optional consent.

Google explains how it uses information from sites and apps that use its services at the linked Google Business Data Responsibility resource. We do not upload Customer Match lists or store-sales data as part of this website consent feature.

6. When information may be disclosed

• To service providers that help operate hosting, email, security, analytics or other site functions, subject to appropriate controls.
• To a business when you intentionally send that business an inquiry.
• When required by law, legal process, safety needs, fraud prevention or enforcement of site rules.
• In connection with a business transaction such as a merger, acquisition or sale, subject to applicable law.

7. Data retention and security

We retain information for as long as reasonably needed for the purpose collected, legal obligations, dispute resolution, security and legitimate operational records. Session replay data is normally retained for 7 days, browser-fingerprint security records for 30 days, detailed browser telemetry and raw request analytics for 30 days, and detailed business/content analytics records for up to 180 days under the current retention settings. Longer-term reporting should rely on aggregate rollups rather than detailed visitor-level records. Email message contents are cleared after successful delivery; failed delivery payloads are cleared after 30 days. We use administrative and technical safeguards, but no internet service can promise absolute security.

8. Your choices and requests

You can update account preferences, unsubscribe from optional email, correct business information, and request access, correction or deletion review for personal information associated with you. We may need to verify identity before fulfilling a request and may retain information where legally permitted or required.

9. Children

AroundThomasville is a general-audience local directory and is not directed to children under 13. Accounts are limited to people age 13 or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through accounts. If you believe a child under 13 provided personal information, contact us so we can review and remove it as appropriate.

10. Policy changes and contact

We may update this policy as the service changes. Material changes will be posted with a revised effective date. Questions may be sent through the Contact page.