Grief is tender. So is your data.

Plain language, no legal fog. Here is exactly what is private, what is shared, and what we do with it.

What we collect

When you sign up or join the waitlist, we collect your email address so we can create your account or send you a welcome note.
When you create a profile, you may add a display name, profile photo, bio, and the kind of loss you are carrying. Your email address is never shown to other members.
We collect posts, replies, memories, photos, journal entries, check-ins, and shoulder messages only when you choose to share them.
We also collect technical data automatically when you use the site: your IP address, browser type, device identifiers, the pages you visit, and how you interact with features. This is standard usage data used for security, performance, and to understand how the community is used.
If you contact us through the support form or live chat, we collect the message you send and any email or account details you provide so we can respond.
If you become a supporting member, our payment processor (Stripe) collects your payment information, billing address, and transaction history. We do not store your full card number on our servers.

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the site is used.
Some cookies are essential for the site to work (for example, keeping your session active). Others help us see which features are used most, so we can improve the experience.
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may prevent you from signing in or using parts of the site.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to advertisers or data brokers for marketing purposes.
We do share limited data with trusted service providers who help us run the site. These include: authentication services (to verify your login), email delivery services (to send welcome and account messages), hosting and database providers (to store data securely), analytics providers (to understand usage), security services (to detect fraud and abuse), and customer support tools (to handle the messages you send us).
These providers only receive the data they need to perform their service and are contractually required to protect it. They are not allowed to use your data for their own purposes.
If required by law, court order, or to protect someone's safety, we may disclose limited information to law enforcement or other authorities.

We use your email to sign you in, to send a welcome note if you joined the waitlist, and for account or safety messages.
We may also use your email to send occasional community updates, new circle announcements, or support-related information. Every non-essential email has an unsubscribe link.
We use usage data and analytics to improve the site, spot problems, and understand which features help people most. We do not build advertising profiles about you.
Support messages are used only to respond to your request and to keep a record of the conversation in case you write again.

Joining the waitlist only requires an email address. It is stored securely in our backend database and used to send you a welcome email and future updates about the community.
Waitlist emails are not sold, rented, or shared with advertisers or third parties.
You can ask us to remove your waitlist email at any time by replying to any email we send or using the contact form.

Posts and replies you write inside a Grief Circle are stored in our database and are visible to other signed-in members of that circle.
Your display name and profile photo appear next to your posts. Your email address is never shown.
Stories and posts may be read by moderators if they are reported, so harmful content can be reviewed and removed.
You can delete your own posts and replies at any time. Once deleted, they are removed from the community feed.

Your daily check-ins (how heavy today felt) and any private note attached to them.
Your private journal entries, prompts, and moods.
The dates and reminders you save for yourself.
Your email address and account settings.

Messages inside a shoulder match are readable only by the two people matched. They are not visible to other members or moderators.
If you close a match, the conversation stops; ask us and we will delete it.

We keep your account and profile information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we remove or anonymize your personal data within 30 days, unless we are required to keep it longer by law or for safety reasons.
Posts, replies, memories, and other content you create remain visible until you delete them or close your account. Deleted content is removed from the community feed, though it may remain in encrypted backups for a short period.
Support messages and contact form submissions are kept for up to two years so we can refer back to previous conversations and improve support quality.
Payment records are kept for as long as required by tax and accounting laws, generally seven years.

We do not use your email or activity data to create advertising profiles or to target you with ads on other websites.
We may use aggregate, de-identified analytics to understand broad trends in the community, such as which circles are most active. This data cannot be used to identify you personally.
If you receive a marketing or community update email, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of the email.

Anything you post can be reported by another member.
Moderators can read reported posts, replies, and memories in order to remove harmful content.
Moderators cannot read your journal, your check-ins, or your shoulder messages.

If you live in a state with a consumer privacy law (such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah, or Oregon), you may have rights to know what personal data we collect, to request a copy, to ask us to delete or correct it, and to opt out of certain sales or sharing of your data.
We do not sell personal data for money. Where state law defines certain disclosures to service providers as "sharing," we share data only with providers who help us operate the site and who are bound by contract to protect it.
To exercise your privacy rights, contact us through the contact form or reply to any email we send. We will verify your identity before processing your request.

You can delete your own posts, replies, memories, and journal entries at any time.
You can remove your profile photo from the profile page.
Ask us to close your account and we will delete your profile, personal content, and waitlist entry.

You Grieving Me Too is not therapy, counselling, or a crisis service, and nothing here is medical advice.
If you are in danger, call 988 (US) or your local emergency number.

Questions about your data? Reply to any email we send you or use the contact form and a real person will answer.