Last Updated: July 2, 2025
At ThoughtsInCaps (https://thoughtsincaps.site), we are committed to protecting the privacy of our users, including college students, educators, and visitors seeking academic resources and community engagement. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you interact with our website. If you have any questions, please contact us at privacy@thoughtsincaps.site.
Who We Are
Our website, located at https://thoughtsincaps.site, is a platform dedicated to empowering college students and educators with tips, resources, and community discussions to enhance their academic and personal growth.
Comments
When you leave comments on our site, we collect the data entered in the comment form, such as your name and email address, along with your IP address and browser user agent string to help detect spam. For example, if you comment on a post about study strategies, this data helps us foster meaningful discussions while keeping our platform secure.
An anonymized string (hash) created from your email address may be shared with the Gravatar service to check if you use it. If so, your profile picture will appear publicly next to your comment after approval. Gravatar’s privacy policy is available at https://automattic.com/privacy/.
Media
If you upload images to our website, avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS), as other visitors can download and extract this information. For instance, a photo shared in a campus event post could unintentionally reveal your location if EXIF data is present. We encourage checking your media before uploading to protect your privacy.
Cookies
We use cookies to enhance your experience on our site:
- Comment Cookies: If you leave a comment, you can opt-in to saving your name, email, and website in cookies for convenience, so you don’t need to re-enter details for future comments. These cookies last for one year.
- Login Cookies: Visiting our login page sets a temporary cookie to check if your browser accepts cookies; it contains no personal data and is deleted when you close your browser. Upon logging in, we set cookies to save your login details (lasting two days) and screen display preferences (lasting one year). Selecting “Remember Me” extends login cookies to two weeks. Logging out removes these cookies.
- Editing Cookies: If you edit or publish an article, a cookie storing the post ID is saved in your browser, containing no personal data and expiring after one day.
These cookies help streamline your interaction with our college resources and community features.
Embedded Content from Other Websites
Our site may include embedded content, such as YouTube videos in a post about study tips or images from external educational resources. These elements behave as if you visited the third-party website. These sites may collect data, use cookies, or track your interaction, especially if you’re logged into their services (e.g., a YouTube account). We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these third-party sites to understand their practices.
Who We Share Your Data With
We do not share your personal data with third parties except as necessary to operate our site, such as:
- Spam detection services to review comments.
- Email services (e.g., for newsletter subscriptions) if you opt in.
- If you request a password reset, your IP address may be included in the reset email for security purposes.
For example, if you sign up for our scholarship alerts, your email may be shared with a secure email marketing platform, but we’ll always disclose this in advance and offer opt-out options.
How Long We Retain Your Data
- Comments: Comments and their metadata (e.g., name, email, IP address) are retained indefinitely to streamline follow-up comment approvals without moderation queues.
- Registered Users: If you register on our site, we store the personal information you provide in your user profile (e.g., name, email) indefinitely unless you request deletion.
This retention supports our goal of fostering an ongoing college community while respecting your control over your data.
What Rights You Have Over Your Data
If you have an account or have left comments on thoughtsincaps.site, you can:
- Request an exported file of your personal data, including any information you’ve provided.
- Request that we erase your personal data, except for data we must retain for administrative, legal, or security purposes (e.g., transaction records).
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@thoughtsincaps.site. We comply with regulations like GDPR and CCPA to ensure you have control over your information.
Where Your Data Is Sent
Visitor comments may be checked by an automated spam detection service to maintain a safe platform. Data may also be processed by secure third-party services (e.g., hosting providers or analytics tools) to support site functionality. We ensure all partners meet strict privacy standards.
Our Commitment to You
At ThoughtsInCaps, we prioritize your trust and security. We use encryption (e.g., SSL certificates) and secure servers to protect your data, ensuring a safe space for college students and educators to connect and grow. If you have questions or need assistance with your data, reach out to us at privacy@thoughtsincaps.site. Thank you for being part of our community!