Privacy & Legal

This page covers privacy, data protection and cookie use for sites powered by eTownz OS. For community-specific matters (e.g. a notice you posted, local contact), please contact the relevant community or town, not eTownz.

Privacy policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights under applicable law (including GDPR where it applies).

Data we collect

Depending on how you use the site:

• Browsing: We may collect technical data such as IP address, browser type and pages visited to run the service and improve it. This may be stored in server logs or analytics.
• Enquiry forms (e.g. “Make an enquiry” on notices): The name, email, phone (if provided) and message you submit are used only to allow the recipient to reply. They are not used for marketing unless you have agreed otherwise with that community.
• Content you submit: If you post notices, news, events or other content via a community site, that content and any details you provide are stored to display on the platform and may be visible to the public or that community.
• Cookies and local storage: We use essential cookies (and similar technologies) to make the site work (e.g. session, preferences, cookie consent). See the Cookies section below.

How we use your data

We use the data above to:

• Provide and operate the community websites.
• Respond to enquiries and communicate with you where relevant.
• Improve security, performance and the service.
• Comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal data. Data may be processed by service providers (e.g. hosting, databases) under agreements that protect your data.

Your rights (GDPR and similar laws)

Where GDPR or similar laws apply, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Ask for correction of inaccurate data.
• Ask for deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Data portability, where applicable.
• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise these rights or ask questions about our use of your data, contact the data controller for your community site, or use the contact details given on the site. For the eTownz platform itself, you can contact us via about.etownz.com.

Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies as follows:

• Strictly necessary: Required for the site to function (e.g. security, load balancing, remembering your cookie consent choice). These do not require consent under the ePrivacy/GDPR approach in many jurisdictions.
• Preference/functional: For example, storing that you have accepted cookies so we do not show the banner again. We ask for your consent before using non-essential cookies.

You can change your mind by clearing cookies in your browser or using our cookie banner again if we offer a way to reopen preferences. Blocking all cookies may affect how the site works.

Contact and concerns

For privacy or data protection concerns:

• Community/town content or enquiries: Contact the community or town that runs the site (e.g. the “Back to Community” or contact details on that site). They are responsible for their content and how they handle enquiries.
• eTownz platform or this policy: Use the contact options at about.etownz.com.

We may update this page from time to time. The “Back” link above returns you to the previous page.