Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions

Information We Collect

Account & Authentication Information

You can create an account using email, phone number, Google, or LinkedIn. Depending on how you sign in, we collect:

• Email address: When you sign in with an email magic link, Google, or LinkedIn.
• Phone number: When you sign in with your phone number, we collect and store it to authenticate you and to match appreciations that were sent to that number. Your phone number is set automatically from the sign-in process and is not publicly displayed or editable in your profile.
• Basic profile information: Your name and profile picture (from Google or LinkedIn, if used), and your LinkedIn profile URL where applicable.
• Account identifier: A unique identifier used to link and secure your account.

When you use Google or LinkedIn, we request only the minimum permissions necessary (name, profile picture, and email). We do not access your connections, network, work history, or post on your behalf.

Information You Provide

• Appreciation messages: The appreciation messages you write for others.
• Media content: Photos or videos you choose to attach to your appreciations.
• Recipient contact details: The email address or phone number of a person you wish to thank, so we can notify them.
• Profile details: Any optional bio, headline, or favorite nonprofit you add to your profile.
• Donation details: If you make a donation, payment is processed by our payment provider (Stripe). We receive confirmation details such as amount and status, but we never receive or store your full card number.

Automatically Collected Information

• Usage data: Pages visited, features used, and interaction patterns.
• Device information: Browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
• Log data: IP address, access times, and referring URLs.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect only to operate and improve OpenThanks, specifically to:

• Create and manage your account and authenticate you when you sign in by email or phone.
• Send a one-time login verification code (OTP) by text message when you choose to sign in with your phone number.
• Enable you to send and receive appreciation messages.
• Notify you, by email, about appreciations you receive and related reminders.
• Match appreciations sent to your email so you can claim them.
• Process and confirm donations you choose to make.
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.
• Monitor usage to maintain, secure, and improve the platform.
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, and security threats.
• Comply with our legal obligations.

We never use your information for advertising or marketing by third parties, and we do not sell your data.

Information Sharing and Disclosure

What is public on OpenThanks

The following is visible to others on the platform:

• Your name and profile picture.
• Appreciation messages you send — only after the recipient accepts them.
• Appreciation messages you receive and accept.
• Your optional profile bio, headline, and favorite nonprofit.

Your email address and phone number are never displayed publicly.

Limited service providers

We share the minimum data necessary with trusted service providers strictly so they can perform services for us. They are contractually bound to protect your data and may not use it for their own purposes. These include:

• Hosting & database: to run the platform and store your data securely.
• Email delivery: to send appreciation notifications and reminders.
• SMS delivery (Twilio): to send one-time login verification codes (OTP) to your phone number.
• Payment processing (Stripe): to process donations you choose to make.

We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect our rights or users' safety, or in connection with a merger or acquisition (in which case this policy continues to apply).

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS.
• Secure authentication through trusted providers and one-time codes.
• Access controls limiting who can access personal data.
• Secure data storage with industry-standard providers.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. You may request deletion of your account at any time. After account deletion:

• Your profile information, including your email and phone number, will be permanently deleted.
• Appreciation messages you sent will remain visible but attributed to "Deleted User."
• Appreciation messages you received will be deleted.
• We may retain limited information where required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and personal data.
• Portability: Request a machine-readable copy of your data.
• Opt out of SMS: Reply STOP to any text, or email hello@openthanks.com.
• Withdrawal of consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@openthanks.com.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to maintain your session and authentication state, remember your preferences, analyze usage to improve the platform, and ensure security. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling them may affect functionality.

Children's Privacy

OpenThanks is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us at privacy@openthanks.com.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own, which may have different data protection laws. We take appropriate safeguards to ensure your information remains protected in accordance with this policy.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions from time to time. We will post the updated version on this page and revise the "Last updated" date. Changes are effective when posted.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using OpenThanks, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.

2. Eligibility & Accounts

You must be at least 16 years old to use OpenThanks. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and for all activity that occurs under it. You agree to provide accurate information, including a valid email address or phone number used for sign-in and notifications.

3. Acceptable Use

OpenThanks exists to spread genuine, positive appreciation. You agree not to:

• Post content that is harassing, hateful, defamatory, deceptive, or unlawful.
• Send unsolicited promotional or spam messages to others.
• Impersonate any person or misrepresent your affiliation.
• Attempt to reverse engineer, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to the platform.
• Use the platform for any commercial purpose not expressly permitted by us.

4. User Content

You retain ownership of the appreciation messages and media you create. By posting content, you grant OpenThanks a non-exclusive license to host and display that content on the platform as needed to provide the service (for example, showing an accepted appreciation publicly). You are responsible for the content you submit and confirm you have the rights to share it.

5. SMS & Login Verification

If you choose to sign in with your phone number, you consent to receive a one-time login verification code (OTP) by text message, as described in the SMS Messaging Program section. This is the only type of text message we send. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to cancel at any time.

6. Donations & Campaigns

Donations are voluntary and processed by Stripe. Any fundraising or money-related campaign may be modified, paused, or ended at any time. Unless required by law, donations are generally non-refundable; for donation questions, contact hello@openthanks.com.

7. Disclaimer

The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. OpenThanks makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and disclaims all implied warranties including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

8. Limitation of Liability

In no event shall OpenThanks or its suppliers be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, loss of data or profit, or business interruption) arising out of the use or inability to use the platform.

9. Termination

You may stop using OpenThanks and request account deletion at any time. We may suspend or terminate access if you violate these Terms or to protect the platform and its users.

10. Modifications

We may revise these Terms at any time by posting an updated version on this page. By continuing to use the platform, you agree to be bound by the then-current Terms.

11. Governing Law

OpenThanks is operated by Flaviu Inc, a Delaware C corporation with its principal address at 95 Worth St., New York, NY 10013. These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and the United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located there.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our Terms and Conditions, please contact us: