This privacy policy explains how Cooperatives.com (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and protects information when you visit this website. We are committed to being transparent about our data practices. This site has no user accounts or registration. We collect a small amount of information: analytics about how pages are used, standard server logs, and the details you choose to send us through the listing claim form or by email.
1. Information We Collect
Usage data. Like most websites, our hosting infrastructure automatically records standard server logs when you visit pages. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and pages visited. This data is used in aggregate for site performance monitoring only and is not used to identify individual visitors.
Analytics. We use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used: which pages are viewed, the type of device and browser, the approximate location Google derives from your connection, and actions such as directory searches (including the words you search for), tool use, starting or sending a listing claim, and clicks on partner links. We also use Plausible Analytics, which counts visits without cookies and without identifying you.
Listing claim form. If you claim a cooperative's listing, we store the email address, name and role you enter, the registration number or other evidence you give, and any listing details you propose. We use this only to check that you can act for the cooperative and to update its listing. The claim form is for a cooperative's own staff or board; it is not a way to contact the cooperative or recover money.
Location (only if you ask). The “credit unions near me” feature asks your browser for your location. If you allow it, your coordinates are sent to our server to find nearby credit unions and are not stored.
Email contact. If you email us at hello@cooperatives.com, we receive your email address and the contents of your message. We use this solely to respond to your enquiry and do not add it to any mailing list or share it with third parties.
2. Cookies
Analytics cookies. Google Analytics sets first-party cookies on this site (named “_ga” and “_ga_” followed by an ID) so it can tell new visits from returning ones. If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or Switzerland, Google Analytics does not set these cookies, and Google does not use advertising cookies, unless you have agreed to them. Plausible Analytics does not use cookies. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, or use Google's opt-out add-on.
Other storage. The conversion roadmap tool saves your checklist in your own browser (local storage) so it is there when you come back; it is not sent to us. The site administrator's sign-in uses one cookie that applies only to the admin area.
Advertising cookies (Google AdSense). This website displays or intends to display advertising served by Google AdSense. Google may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website and other websites across the internet. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the internet.
You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings or by visiting aboutads.info/choices.
For more information on how Google uses data when you use our site, please review Google's Privacy & Terms.
3. Third-Party Services
Google AdSense. We use or plan to use Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google AdSense is operated by Google LLC. Google uses cookies to show ads based on your interests. Please refer to Google's privacy policy at policies.google.com/privacy for details on how Google handles user data.
Google Analytics and Plausible. Google LLC processes the analytics described in section 1 under Google's privacy policy. Plausible Analytics receives anonymous page-view counts.
Hosting. The site is hosted by Vercel, which keeps the server logs, and listing claims are stored in a Supabase database. When you claim a listing, the details you submit may also be sent to us by email through Resend, so we can review the claim. All three act only on our behalf.
Partner links. Some pages link to partner companies and may earn us a commission (see our affiliate disclosure). Once you leave our site, the partner's own privacy policy and cookies apply.
We do not sell your data, and we do not use data brokers.
4. Data Retention
Listing claims are kept while we review them and afterwards as a record of who manages the listing; you can ask us to delete yours at any time. Server logs are kept for a limited period for security and performance. Google Analytics data is kept under the retention setting of our Google Analytics account. Email correspondence is kept only as long as needed to deal with your enquiry.
5. Your Rights (GDPR & CCPA)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or California, you may have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:
- The right to access personal data we hold about you
- The right to request correction of inaccurate data
- The right to request deletion of your data
- The right to opt out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell data)
- The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
To use any of these rights, for example to see or delete a listing claim you sent, or if you have any other privacy concern, please contact us at hello@cooperatives.com.
6. External Links
Cooperatives.com contains links to external websites, cooperative directories, and third-party resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
7. Children's Privacy
This website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
9. Contact
If you have questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us at hello@cooperatives.com.