Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Thrift Digest ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our AI-powered savings guidance service and website at thriftdigest.com. By using our service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you sign up for or use our service, we may collect:

• Full name and contact information (email address, phone number)
• Location information (city/state)
• Savings goals and questions you share with our AI agent
• SMS opt-in consent preferences (account notifications and/or customer care)

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our service, we automatically collect:

• Device information (browser type, operating system)
• IP address and general location data
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, click patterns)
• Session timestamps and interaction data

2.3 Phone Number Handling

Important: We do NOT store phone numbers used in the verification process beyond what is necessary to provide our service. Phone numbers are only displayed (masked) during the verification flow and are not logged or retained in our systems beyond service delivery.

2.4 Mobile Information and SMS Consent

No mobile information will be shared or sold to third parties for marketing/promotional purposes. When you opt in to receive SMS messages from Thrift Digest, we collect and store your consent preferences separately for:

• Transactional Account Notifications: Messages related to your account activity, service updates, and important notices about your savings guidance experience.
• Customer Care: Messages to assist you with questions, support requests, and follow-up related to your savings inquiries.

Each SMS program requires separate opt-in consent. Opting in to either or both programs is entirely optional and is not required to use our service or submit our form. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. For help, reply HELP or email support@thriftdigest.com. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and maintain our AI-powered savings guidance service
• Deliver personalized, unbiased savings advice through our AI agent
• Send transactional account notification SMS messages (if opted in)
• Send customer care SMS messages to assist with your inquiries (if opted in)
• Respond to your questions and support requests
• Improve our service and develop new features
• Ensure compliance with carrier requirements and applicable regulations
• Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

Third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, SMS delivery, and customer support. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may not use it for their own marketing purposes.

4.2 Business Transfers

In connection with any merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business, your information may be transferred as a business asset.

4.3 Legal Requirements

When required by law, court order, or government regulation, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

4.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit prior consent.

5. SMS Messaging Program Details

Thrift Digest operates two separate SMS messaging programs. By opting in to either program on our signup form, you agree to the following terms:

• Program 1 — Transactional Account Notifications: Receive SMS messages about your account status, service updates, and important savings-related notices.
• Program 2 — Customer Care: Receive SMS messages from our team to assist with your savings questions and support needs.
• Both programs are optional. You may opt in to one, both, or neither.
• To opt out of any program, reply STOP to any message from that program.
• To get help, reply HELP or contact support@thriftdigest.com.
• Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies by program and user activity.
• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request a copy of your information in a portable format
• Objection: Object to certain processing of your information
• SMS Opt-Out: Reply STOP to any SMS message to opt out of that messaging program at any time

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

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our service and improve your experience. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent.

10. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). We do not sell personal information. To exercise your CCPA rights, contact us at privacy@thriftdigest.com.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: