Privacy Policy — Different Like Everyone

This Privacy Policy explains how Different Like Everyone (“we,” “us,” or the “Site”), operating at differentlikeeveryone.com, collects, uses, and protects information when you use the Site. By using the Site you agree to this Policy.

Information we collect

Mobile phone number. We collect your mobile number to create your account and to send a one-time sign-in code by SMS. This is how we verify that one person holds one account, which is what keeps voting honest.
Self-declared political lean. An optional left / center / right value you provide at sign-up.
Your contributions. Arguments you submit, and the ratings and flags you cast on other arguments.
Basic technical data. A session cookie to keep you signed in, and standard request logs (e.g., timestamps) used to prevent abuse and rate-limit activity.

SMS / text messaging terms

Mobile information is never shared. No mobile information (including your phone number and SMS opt-in or consent) will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. We do not sell, rent, or trade your mobile number. Text-messaging originator opt-in data and consent are not shared with any third parties, and are excluded from any other information-sharing described in this Policy.

We use your mobile number solely to send account-related messages — specifically, the one-time verification codes required to sign in.

Message frequency. Messages are sent only when you request one. You will receive one SMS each time you request a sign-in code; we do not send recurring or marketing texts, so how often you receive a message depends entirely on how often you sign in.
Message and data rates. Message and data rates may apply. These charges are set by your mobile carrier and are your responsibility.
Supported carriers. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
Help. For help with messaging, reply HELP to any message or contact us at the address below.
Opt out. Reply STOP at any time to stop receiving text messages. Because our texts are the one-time codes used to sign in, opting out means you will no longer be able to receive sign-in codes.

The mobile number you provide is passed only to our SMS delivery provider (Twilio) for the sole purpose of transmitting your verification code. It is not used for any marketing purpose by us or by that provider.

How we use your information

To authenticate you and maintain your signed-in session.
To operate the Site — publishing your submitted arguments and recording your ratings.
To rank arguments and compute the reputation and lean signals the Site is built on.
To detect and prevent fraud, spam, brigading, and other abuse.

Your phone number is never displayed publicly. Contributions are attributed to a randomly generated handle (for example, “reader-4f2a”) that does not reveal your number.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in these limited cases:

Service providers that operate the Site on our behalf (such as our SMS provider and hosting infrastructure), strictly to perform their function — and, as stated above, mobile opt-in data is never shared for marketing.
Legal compliance, if required by law, subpoena, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of the Site and its users.

Data retention

We keep your account information for as long as your account is active. One-time codes are short-lived and expire within minutes. You may request deletion of your account and associated personal data by contacting us.

Security

Sessions use secure, HttpOnly cookies, and one-time codes are single-use and time-limited. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable measures to protect your information.

Children

The Site is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect their information.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date above.

Contact

Questions about this Policy or your data? Contact us at hello@differentlikeeveryone.com.