Privacy Policy

Effective Date: December 30, 2024

MusicBoost ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at musicboostgrants.org (the "Website") and use our Music Review Service and Grant Program (collectively, the "Services"). Please read this policy carefully.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following categories:

1.1 Information You Provide

  • Account Information: Name, email address, artist/band name, and contact information provided during registration or submission.
  • Submission Content: Music files, links to music, project descriptions, biographical information, genre classifications, and other materials submitted for review.
  • Payment Information: Payment transactions are processed by Square. We do not collect or store complete credit card numbers. We receive transaction confirmations including amount, currency, and payment status.
  • Communications: Information you provide when contacting us, including fee waiver requests and support inquiries.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, and referring URLs.
  • Cookies: We use cookies and similar technologies for analytics and functionality. See Section 7 for details.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

  • Deliver the Review Service: Evaluate your submission and prepare your written feedback report.
  • Administer the Grant Program: Assess applications for potential grant awards.
  • Process Payments: Complete transactions through our payment processor.
  • Communicate: Send feedback reports, application status updates, and respond to inquiries.
  • Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience.
  • Promotional Activities: Feature grant recipients on our Website and marketing materials (with consent as outlined in our Terms of Service).
  • Legal Compliance: Fulfill legal obligations and protect our rights.

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information with:

  • Review Panel: Our music industry professionals who evaluate submissions. Panel members are bound by confidentiality obligations.
  • Service Providers:
    • Square (payment processing)
    • Amazon Web Services (file storage)
    • Email service providers (communications)
    • Analytics providers (usage analysis)
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect our rights and safety.
  • Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information, including:

  • Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS)
  • Secure cloud storage with access controls
  • Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

5. Data Retention

We retain your information as follows:

  • Successful Grant Recipients: Information retained indefinitely for program records and promotional purposes.
  • Non-Selected Applicants: Application data retained for up to 24 months, then archived or deleted.
  • Payment Records: Retained as required for accounting and legal purposes (typically 7 years).
  • Communications: Retained for 3 years unless deletion is requested.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal information.
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information.
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements).
  • Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications.

To exercise these rights, contact us at anthony@musicboostgrants.org. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

  • Essential Functions: Site functionality and security.
  • Analytics: Understanding how visitors use our site (Google Analytics).

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

We do not currently respond to Do Not Track (DNT) signals as no uniform standard exists.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 18, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Users

Our Services are operated from the United States. If you access our Services from outside the US, your information will be transferred to and processed in the US, which may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction.

10. Third-Party Links

Our Website may contain links to third-party sites (e.g., Spotify, social media). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Material changes will be communicated via email or prominent website notice.

12. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

  • Email: anthony@musicboostgrants.org
  • Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA