Last updated: March 18, 2026
Topsail Area Local Businesses ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website topsailbiz.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our website or use our services.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Account registration: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password (stored securely hashed, never in plain text).
- Contact form submissions: When you submit our contact form, we collect your name, email address, phone number (optional), business name, and message content.
- Business reviews: When you leave a review, we collect your name, rating, review text, and IP address (for spam prevention).
- Business claim requests: When you claim a business listing, we collect your name, email address, phone number (optional), and proof of ownership.
- Event postings: When you post an event, we collect the event details (title, description, date, time, location) and associate them with your account.
- Payment information: If you subscribe to a paid plan, your payment details (credit card number, billing address) are processed securely by Authorize.net. We do not store your full card number on our servers.
- Notification preferences: When you set up email notifications, we store your topic preferences (weekly digest, weekend preview, follow alerts) and email subscription status.
Information Collected Automatically
- Analytics: We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to collect anonymized usage data including pages visited, time on site, device type, and approximate geographic location. This data is aggregated and cannot identify you personally.
- Server logs: Our web server automatically records your IP address, browser type, and pages requested. These logs are used for security and troubleshooting and are retained for 30 days.
How We Use Your Information
- To respond to your contact form submissions and business inquiries
- To process business claim requests and verify ownership
- To display reviews on business listing pages
- To display events you post on the events calendar and business pages
- To process subscription payments and manage your billing
- To send email notifications you opted into (digests, weekend previews, follow alerts)
- To prevent spam and abuse (rate limiting, content filtering)
- To improve our website and understand how visitors use it
- To send you information about our services (only if you contacted us first)
Cookies and Tracking
We use Google Analytics 4, which sets cookies to distinguish unique visitors and track sessions. These cookies do not contain personal information. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
We may display advertisements through Google AdSense or similar services, which may use cookies to serve ads based on your interests. You can manage your ad personalization settings at Google Ad Settings.
Third-Party Services
Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information only in the following circumstances:
- With service providers who help us operate the website (email delivery, analytics)
- If required by law or to protect our rights
- With your consent
Data Retention
- Account information: Retained while your account is active. You may request deletion at any time.
- Contact form submissions: Retained until the inquiry is resolved, then deleted within 90 days
- Reviews: Retained as long as the business listing is active
- Event postings: Retained until the event date passes, then archived for 90 days before deletion
- Payment records: Retained for 7 years as required for tax and accounting compliance
- Notification preferences: Retained while your account is active or until you unsubscribe
- Server logs: Retained for 30 days
- Analytics data: Retained per Google Analytics default settings (14 months)
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Request access to any personal information we hold about you
- Request deletion of your personal information and account
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Opt out of analytics tracking
- Unsubscribe from any or all email notifications at any time
- Cancel your subscription and stop recurring payments
To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@topsailbiz.com.
Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at:
Email: hello@topsailbiz.com
Website: topsailbiz.com