Privacy Policy for HOTCOFFEEHamOnt.ca
Last updated on 2025-10-14
This privacy policy describes how and why HOTCOFFEEHamOnt.ca might collect, store, use, and/or share your information when you use this webforum.
If you do not agree with these policies, please do not use this webforum. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact this site's admin via email, at admin@patatas.ca.
HOTCOFFEEHamOnt.ca takes your privacy seriously. Unlike major tech corporations whose business models are dependent on creating and harvesting data about their users, HOTCOFFEEHamOnt.ca runs on minimal hardware and has no shareholders to please. We don't need or want to surveil your behaviour. Below we've outlined - to the best of our knowledge and ability, and in as plain language as possible - the extent of the data created through your use of this forum. Like the hardware used, it's quite minimal!
What personal information does hotcoffeehamont.ca collect?
When you visit this site, the webserver automatically logs the IP address associated with your device, which allows us to defend against some kinds of bot activity that could cause security issues. These logs are retained for no longer than 30 days and are automatically deleted.
We also require, and maintain a record of, a verified email address when you sign up. This email address remains associated with both your account name, as well as any information you post in these forums. However we do not use tracking tools, analytics, or any other third-party tools to produce any information whatsoever about you or your use of this webforum.
And although we didn't write the website software, to the best of our knowledge the only data produced by the website itself are 1) the time of the most recent login of each account, and 2) the sum total of all connections from all users to the website, per hour, over the preceding 24 hours.
In short: the goal is to respect and maintain your privacy; not only will we not share your data, we aim to create as little data about you as we can in the first place, while still providing a useful and welcoming space for members.
Do we process any sensitive personal information?
No.
How your information may be used
We strive to create, collect and retain as little data as possible while still providing a useful website. Regardless, we do not and will not sell, trade, or otherwise disclose your personal information, or data about your use of this website, to any third parties, unless required to do so by law.
As of the most recent update to this document, we have not been served with any requests or warrants from law enforcement to provide information relating to anyone's membership or use of this website.
Email notification
The above does not, however, mean that your conversations are fully private. Opt-in notification emails, which notify members of activity in a conversation, are sent to the email accounts of those users, and contain the username, date, time, and text of the post(s) triggering the notification.
Although these emails are encrypted over-the-wire, they are most likely stored in plaintext on whatever service the other forum member is using, and could therefore potentially be monitored by the host of that email service. If there is interest in doing so, we can shut off the option of email notifications entirely.
Until then, if you require greater privacy and/or security in your communications, we recommend using a platform such as Signal or Matrix, which allow end-to-end encrypted conversations.
Account deletion
Unfortunately, the forum software used for this website does not currently allow users to delete their own accounts. The administrators of this website do, however, commit to working in good faith to quickly comply with a user's request that their account be deleted, along with any data and personal information. Please contact the admins if you wish to delete your account at admin@hotcoffeehamont.ca. Deletions are not reversible.
