Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 25, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share information when you use the Gaea Talk/Gaea Community Forums (the “Forum”). It is designed to be consistent with QuadSpinner’s overall privacy approach and legal terms.

1) Who we are

The Forum is operated by QuadSpinner. Company and contact details are listed in QuadSpinner’s legal information at https://quadspinner.com/legal.

If you have privacy questions or requests, contact support@quadspinner.com.

2) Scope

This policy applies to talk.gaea.app. Other QuadSpinner websites, stores, and software products may have additional terms and data practices described in QuadSpinner’s legal information.

The Forum runs on Discourse.

3) Information we collect

A. Information you provide

  • Account information: email address, username, and other optional profile fields you choose to add (display name, avatar, bio, links, etc.). The Forum verifies your email address via an email link.

  • Content you submit: posts, replies, likes, bookmarks, flags, uploads/attachments, and (if enabled) private messages.

  • Communications: information you send to Forum staff/moderators or QuadSpinner support. QuadSpinner may use HelpScout for support communications.

B. Information we collect automatically

  • Technical and usage data: IP address used to register/post, browser/device information, and basic diagnostic data needed to operate and secure the Forum. The Forum may retain server logs that include IP addresses of requests.

  • Cookies / local storage: required for sign-in, session management, security protections, and preference storage.

4) How we use information

We use information to:

  • Provide the Forum: create accounts, authenticate users, display content, and run core features (watching topics, notifications, email digests).

  • Moderate and enforce rules: prevent spam and abuse, investigate violations, and protect the Forum and users.

  • Operate securely and improve the service: maintain reliability, debug issues, and improve usability (using aggregate/operational metrics rather than advertising trackers). QuadSpinner’s broader policy is to avoid visitor tracking and use privacy-friendly analytics for basic measurement.

  • Comply with law and protect rights: respond to valid legal requests and protect QuadSpinner, the Forum, and users from fraud or unlawful activity.

5) Cookies and similar technologies

The Forum uses cookies (and similar browser storage) primarily for:

  • Essential functionality: login/session, security (e.g., preventing request forgery), and site operation.

  • Preferences: remembering settings like theme, language, and notification preferences.

If you disable cookies, parts of the Forum may not function.

6) What we share (and what we don’t)

A. Public and community-visible information

Most Forum content is public by default (unless posted in restricted categories or private messages). Your username, profile, and posts may be visible to other users and (depending on Forum settings) to search engines and third parties who access public pages.

B. Service providers

We may share limited information with vendors that help us run the Forum (hosting, email delivery, storage, security, backups, support tooling). These vendors are permitted to use the information only to provide such services to us and they are required to protect the information.

C. Legal and safety disclosures

We may disclose information if required by law, or when necessary to protect rights, safety, and security, consistent with QuadSpinner’s overall policy.

D. No sale of personal data

QuadSpinner’s policy forbids the sale, trade, or rental of personal data to third parties.

7) Data retention

We retain information for as long as needed to operate the Forum, meet legal obligations, and maintain security.

In particular:

  • Account data is retained while your account remains active.

  • Posts and uploads remain until you delete them (where the Forum allows), or an administrator removes them for moderation/legal reasons.

  • Backups and caches may retain copies of content for a limited time after deletion.

  • Server logs (including IP addresses): we make a good-faith effort to retain routine logs no longer than 90 days, unless we need longer for security investigations, abuse prevention, or legal compliance.

If you provide diagnostic information to support, QuadSpinner’s broader policy is to use it for troubleshooting and delete it once resolved (or delete within 120 days if unresolved).

8) Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information. QuadSpinner’s overall policy describes strong protection of personally identifiable information and limited collection practices.

9) International data transfers

The Forum (and QuadSpinner services) may process and store information in countries outside yours, including the United States.

10) Your choices and rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may request:

  • access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data;

  • account closure/deactivation;

  • export of certain account data (where supported by the Forum software).

You can also control many behaviors (email notifications, digests, visibility settings) in your Forum account preferences.

To make a privacy request, contact support@quadspinner.com.

11) Children’s privacy

The Forum is intended for people 13 years of age or older. QuadSpinner does not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13.

Our site, products, and services are directed to people who are at least 13 years old or older. If this server is in the USA, and you are under the age of 13, per the requirements of COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act), do not use the Forum.

12) Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we will post the updated version here. Material changes may also be communicated through the Forum or email.