QSLShack.com ("QSLShack", "we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our platform. By creating an account or using QSLShack, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

At Registration: When you create an account, we collect your callsign, full name, email address, password, location (city, state/province, country), and license class. Your callsign is verified against the FCC ULS public database (US operators) or HamQTH.com (international operators).

Profile Information: You may optionally provide a profile photo, biography, equipment details ("Equipment Shack"), grid square, and other information that enhances your profile.

Activity Data: We collect information about your activity on the platform, including QSL cards sent and received, groups joined, events attended, and messages sent.

Technical Data: We automatically collect IP addresses, browser type, operating system, referring pages, and date/time stamps when you use the platform.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Operate and improve the QSLShack platform
• Verify your amateur radio license through public FCC/HamQTH databases
• Display your profile, QSL card, and board to other users
• Send you notifications about platform activity (card exchanges, group requests, etc.)
• Send transactional emails (license expiry reminders, account notices)
• Calculate and display reputation tier badges
• Prevent fraud, abuse, and violations of our Terms of Service
• Display contextually relevant advertising through Google AdSense

We do not use your information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

3. Public Information

The following information is publicly visible on QSLShack by default, consistent with the public nature of amateur radio licensing:

• Your callsign, name, location, and license class
• Your profile photo and biography
• Your active QSL card
• Your board (confirmed QSL cards received)
• Your member since date and reputation tier
• Groups you belong to and events you attend

Your email address is never displayed publicly and is only used for account communications.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We do not rent, trade, or share your personally identifiable information with third parties for their marketing purposes.

Service Providers: We may share information with trusted service providers who assist in operating the platform (hosting, email delivery, analytics). These providers are prohibited from using your information for any other purpose.

Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of QSLShack, our users, or the public.

Business Transitions: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. You will be notified via prominent notice on the platform for 30 days prior to any such change.

5. Cookies & Analytics

We use session cookies to keep you logged in during your visit. Session cookies expire when you close your browser. We may use persistent cookies to remember your preferences.

Google AdSense and Google Analytics may set their own cookies to serve relevant ads and analyze site traffic. These cookies are governed by Google's Privacy Policy. You may opt out of personalized advertising through Google's Ads Settings.

If you disable cookies, you may still use QSLShack but some features (including staying logged in) will not function correctly.

6. Log Files

Like most web services, we automatically collect and store server log data including IP addresses, browser type, ISP, referring/exit pages, operating system, date/time stamps, and clickstream data. This information is used to analyze trends, administer the platform, and diagnose technical issues. Log data is not linked to personally identifiable information.

7. Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously. Passwords are hashed using industry-standard bcrypt encryption and are never stored in plain text. All data transmission between your browser and our servers is encrypted via SSL/TLS.

While we implement commercially reasonable security measures, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security and encourage you to use a strong, unique password for your QSLShack account.

8. Data Retention

Your data is retained for as long as your account is active. If you request account deletion, your personally identifiable information will be removed within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as fraud prevention records).

QSL cards posted to other users' boards are subject to that board owner's control — if you delete your account, posted cards may remain on recipients' boards as they represent confirmed historical contacts.

9. Opt-Out & Communication Preferences

You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time through your Account Settings. This includes license expiry notifications and platform announcements. Transactional messages (such as card confirmation notifications) cannot be disabled as they are core to the platform's function.

To request deletion of your account and associated data, contact us at privacy@qslshack.com.

10. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated via a notice on the platform and/or email. Your continued use of QSLShack following the posting of changes constitutes acceptance of those changes. The "last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.

11. Contact Us

Questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to: