Privacy Policy
HOLD LEWISTON ACCOUNTABLE
Effective Date: October 1, 2026
Hold Lewiston Accountable is a civic accountability project of Maine for Keeps ("Maine for Keeps," "we," "us," or "our"). We respect your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit HoldLewistonAccountable.com (the "website"), sign the pledge, contact us, or otherwise interact with this project.
1. Information We Collect
We collect only the information you voluntarily provide through the pledge form on the website:
- Your first name
- Your last name
- Your email address
- Whether you check the optional box agreeing to receive updates from Maine for Keeps about this project
- Any information you choose to include if you contact us directly by email
We may also collect certain information automatically when you use the website, including:
- Internet Protocol address
- Browser and device information
- Operating system
- Referring and exit pages
- Pages viewed and links selected
- Dates and times of visits
- General geographic information
- Cookie and similar technology data
2. How We Use Information
We may use collected information to:
- Record your pledge and show public support for transparency and accountability in Lewiston
- Send you updates about this project, only if you checked the optional consent box
- Respond to messages, questions, and requests
- Operate, maintain, and improve the website
- Analyze website traffic and engagement
- Detect fraud, spam, security incidents, or misuse
- Comply with applicable laws
- Protect our rights, our users, and this project
3. Email Communications
If you check the optional box on the pledge form, you agree to receive updates from Maine for Keeps about this project. You may opt out at any time by selecting the unsubscribe link included in any email or by writing to [email protected]. If you sign the pledge without checking the box, we will not send you project updates. We may still contact you when necessary to respond to a request you make.
4. Cookies and Similar Technologies
We and our service providers may use cookies and similar technologies to operate the website, remember preferences, measure traffic, understand engagement, and prevent fraud. Your browser may allow you to block or remove cookies. Disabling cookies may affect certain website features.
5. How We Disclose Information
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it with third parties for their own marketing purposes. We may disclose information only:
- To Maine for Keeps staff, consultants, and volunteers when reasonably necessary to operate this project
- To vendors that provide website hosting, analytics, email delivery, security, and similar services on our behalf, who may use it only to provide those services
- When required by subpoena, court order, legal process, or applicable law
- When reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, protect safety, enforce our policies, or defend legal rights
- In connection with a reorganization, transition, or termination of this project or Maine for Keeps
- With your consent or at your direction
We may use or disclose information that has been aggregated or deidentified so that it cannot reasonably identify you, such as the total number of pledge signatures.
6. Third Party Websites and Services
The website contains links to news organizations, public records, government websites, social networks, and other third party websites. We do not control these third parties or their privacy practices. Your interaction with a third party service is governed by that service's own policies and terms.
7. Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect collected information. No website, electronic transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You provide information through the website at your own risk.
8. Data Retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to operate this project, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and protect our legitimate interests. You may ask us to delete your pledge information at any time.
9. Your Choices
You may:
- Unsubscribe from project emails using the link in any email
- Adjust cookie settings through your browser
- Ask to review, correct, or delete your information by writing to [email protected]
We will respond to privacy requests in accordance with applicable law.
10. Children's Privacy
The website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so that we can review and, when appropriate, delete it.
11. Visitors Outside the United States
The website is operated from the United States and is intended primarily for residents of Lewiston and the State of Maine. If you access the website from another country, your information may be processed and stored in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Your continued use of the website after an update becomes effective constitutes acknowledgment of the revised policy.
13. Contact Us
For questions or requests concerning this Privacy Policy, contact:
Maine for Keeps
Hold Lewiston Accountable
[email protected]