Privacy Policy
We collect the minimum required to operate the record. This policy explains exactly what that means and the limits of any privacy guarantee.
1. Who we are
Honne & Tatemae is operated by an editorial collective (the Operators). This policy describes how the Operators handle information collected through the site.
2. Information we collect
(a) Account data: email address and hashed password, used solely for authentication, security, and abuse prevention. (b) Pseudonym (optional): a display name you choose. (c) Submission content: the text, links, and metadata you submit to the record. (d) Technical data: IP address, user agent, request timestamps, and minimal session cookies, retained briefly for security, debugging, and rate limiting. (e) If you use the representative-lookup tool, a postal address or ZIP is processed in-memory and not stored by default.
3. Information we do not collect
We do not collect real names, phone numbers, government identifiers, biometric data, precise geolocation, payment data, or contact lists. We do not build advertising profiles. We do not sell or rent personal data.
4. Public identity and anonymity
Email addresses are never displayed publicly. Internal user identifiers are never exposed publicly. Submissions appear anonymously or under your chosen pseudonym. Anonymity is structural but not absolute: lawful process, security incidents, or your own operational mistakes can defeat it. You acknowledge and accept this risk.
5. Legal bases for processing (EEA/UK)
We process personal data on the bases of: (a) performance of a contract (operating your account); (b) legitimate interests (security, abuse prevention, editorial mission); (c) consent, where required; and (d) legal obligation, where applicable.
6. Cookies and analytics
We use only the cookies and local storage required for authentication and core site function. We do not use third-party advertising trackers. Aggregate, non-identifying server logs may be used to monitor performance and abuse.
7. Service providers and disclosure
We share data with infrastructure providers (hosting, database, email delivery, anti-abuse, error monitoring) strictly to operate the site, under contractual confidentiality. We may disclose information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is required by law, to enforce our Terms, to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Operators, users, or the public, or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale. We may receive and comply with subpoenas, court orders, and lawful government requests.
8. International transfers
Data may be processed in the United States and other jurisdictions whose laws may differ from those of your country. By using the site you consent to such transfers.
9. Retention
Account data is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward for security and legal purposes. Published submissions may be retained indefinitely in archived form, with identifying links removed on account deletion to the extent technically feasible. Backups are rotated on a routine schedule.
10. Your rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, port, or object to processing of your personal data, and to withdraw consent. You can delete your account at any time. To exercise rights, contact us through the channel listed in the site footer. We may verify your identity before responding. Residents of California (CCPA/CPRA), the EEA/UK (GDPR), and similar jurisdictions have additional rights described in those laws; we honor those rights to the extent applicable.
11. Children
The site is not directed to children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them. If you believe a child has provided data, contact us and we will delete it.
12. Security
We use industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including encryption in transit, hashed passwords, scoped database access controls, and routine review. No system is perfectly secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security and disclaim liability for unauthorized access not caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.
13. AI-assisted processing
We may use AI tools for drafting, summarization, translation, and content moderation. Submissions may be processed by such tools under contractual safeguards. We do not use submissions to train third-party foundation models.
14. Do Not Track and global privacy signals
Because we do not track users across third-party sites, browser Do-Not-Track and Global Privacy Control signals have no separate effect; our default posture already reflects them.
15. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy at any time. Material changes will be indicated by an updated effective date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
16. Contact
Direct privacy requests and questions to the contact channel listed in the site footer. Allow a reasonable time for response. Nothing in this policy creates rights enforceable by third parties beyond those granted by applicable law.
Civic Clarity Notice
Honne and Tatemae is an independent civic education and public-record platform. The site exists to help people understand artificial intelligence, document public concern, and prepare their own communications to elected officials and public institutions.
You remain in control of every message you choose to send. Letters, summaries, scripts, and civic tools on this site are provided to help citizens express their own views clearly and responsibly.
Our editorial and civic materials are created for public education, civic participation, and democratic accountability. Where AI-assisted tools are used to support drafting, organization, classification, or moderation, they are used as workflow support, not as a substitute for human judgment, editorial responsibility, or civic intent.
Do not submit confidential, classified, privileged, private, or personally identifying information. Public submissions may be moderated to protect the integrity, safety, and seriousness of the record.
The purpose of this platform is simple: to help citizens think clearly, speak honestly, and act before the future is decided without them.