Privacy Policy

SWOP Behind Bars
Last updated: [Month Day, Year]

SWOP Behind Bars (“SWOP,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and personal information of people who engage with our organization. Many of the individuals we serve face heightened risks related to stigma, surveillance, criminalization, and retaliation. For that reason, privacy and data minimization are central to how we design and deliver our services.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and the choices available to you.

1. Information We Collect

We collect only the minimum information necessary to provide services, operate our programs, and fulfill our nonprofit mission.

a. Information You Voluntarily Provide

You may choose to provide personal information when you:

Contact us through forms, email, or phone
Request support or resources
Sign up for newsletters or events
Make a donation
Participate in surveys, storytelling, or advocacy campaigns

This information may include:

Name or chosen name
Email address or phone number
Mailing address (if required for program delivery)
Demographic or background information you choose to share
Any information you include in messages or forms

You are never required to provide more information than is necessary, and many resources can be accessed without providing identifying information at all.

b. Anonymous and Low-Barrier Access

Many of our services and resources are available anonymously. We intentionally design access points that do not require account creation, legal names, or government identification.

c. Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect limited technical information, such as:

IP address
Browser type
Device type
Pages visited and time spent on the site

This data is used in aggregate to understand website usage and improve accessibility. It is not used to identify individuals.

2. How We Use Information

We use collected information only for legitimate nonprofit purposes, including:

Providing direct support, referrals, and resources
Responding to inquiries and requests
Operating and improving programs and digital tools
Communicating about services, events, or advocacy (when you opt in)
Processing donations and required financial reporting
Meeting legal and regulatory obligations

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information for commercial purposes.

3. Sharing of Information

We take a restrictive approach to data sharing.

a. What We Do Not Do

We do not sell personal data
We do not share information with advertisers
We do not disclose information to law enforcement, immigration authorities, or third parties for surveillance or punitive purposes

b. Limited Sharing

We may share limited information only when:

Necessary to provide a requested service (e.g., payment processors or secure digital platforms)
Required by law (such as a valid court order)
You have given explicit consent

Any third-party service providers we use are required to follow appropriate data protection and confidentiality standards.

4. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards to protect personal information, including:

Secure hosting and encrypted connections
Access controls limiting data to authorized staff or volunteers
Confidentiality and trauma-informed training for anyone handling sensitive information
Regular review of data practices to reduce risk and exposure

No system is completely secure, but we take privacy protection seriously and work to minimize risk at every stage.

5. Data Minimization and Retention

We:

Collect only what we need
Retain information only as long as necessary for program, legal, or operational purposes
Regularly review and delete data that is no longer needed

6. Your Choices and Rights

You have the right to:

Request access to the personal information we hold about you
Request corrections to inaccurate information
Request deletion of your information, where feasible
Opt out of communications at any time

Requests can be made by contacting us at the email address below.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that such information has been collected, we will take steps to delete it.

8. External Links

Our website may include links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage users to review their policies separately.

9. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our services. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.