At Second Wind Social, your trust is our most treasured asset. This document explains, in clear terms, how we handle the information you share in your Affinity & Connection Profile—so even the most privacy‑savvy among us can rest easy knowing your data is used responsibly and always in service of genuine human connection.
1. Your Data Stays In‑House #
- Never sold or shared with advertisers. We’re member‑supported, not ad‑driven.
- No hidden algorithms feeding you clickbait. Your inputs aren’t turned into “engagement” fodder for a black‑box machine.
- Zero third‑party data brokers. All of your profile details live solely within Second Wind Social’s secure environment.
2. What We Collect—and Why #
- Essentials (Required)
- Name, Date of Birth*, Gender*
- Used to create your account, verify you’re 55+, and keep our community safe.
- Voluntary Details (Optional)
- Interests, skills, goals, life experiences, wellness & accessibility needs, tech comfort, connection preferences, and more.
- Each field helps fellow members discover kindred spirits—whether you’re searching for a book club buddy, a travel partner, or a mentor in public speaking.
Only month/day of birth is ever visible to others; the year remains private by default.
3. Member‑to‑Member Discovery #
Your voluntary profile selections power live directory filters and “Friend Suggestions” links. For example:
- Click “Gardening” on a member profile to find every fellow green thumb in our community.
- See someone’s Skills I Can Share and Skills I Need Help With? Jump straight to their peers for collaboration or mentorship.
This is about real connections, not targeting you for ads.
4. Personalized Recommendations #
We use your profile details to suggest:
- Friend & mentor matches (based on shared skills or life experiences).
- Groups & events aligned with your interests and availability.
- Content & learning in your preferred formats (articles, videos, webinars).
Every recommendation is designed to help you—never to game our engagement metrics.
5. Visibility & Control #
- Per‑field privacy settings: Public • Members only • Friends Only • Only me
- Complete control: Every field (beyond the essentials) is optional—you decide what to share and when to update it.
- Transparent logs: You can review and edit your profile at any time, and see when you changed your privacy settings.
6. Data Access, Portability & Deletion #
- Export anytime: Request a full copy of your profile data in machine‑readable form.
- Delete with ease: Remove any field or close your account; your data vanishes from our active systems.
- Retention policy: We retain only what’s necessary to maintain your account and community history—nothing more.
7. Security & Accountability #
- Encrypted in transit & at rest: We use industry‑standard SSL/TLS and database encryption.
- Regular audits: Our security practices are reviewed and updated continually.
- Dedicated support: If you ever have questions or concerns about your data, our Data Stewardship team is one email away at [email protected].
8. Why This Matters #
By choosing to share—even voluntarily—your skills, passions, and experiences, you help fellow members find support, build purpose, and grow lasting bonds. We honor that gift by treating your data with the same respect and care we’d want for our own families.
9. Have Questions or Feedback? #
Visit our Privacy & Data Use page in the Help Center, or reach out any time at [email protected]. We welcome your input—our commitment to transparency is as wholehearted as our commitment to connection.
Last updated: May 4, 2025
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