Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy describes how Blue Springs Weather and Natural Disaster (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you use our website, related services, and any Facebook or Meta platform integrations connected to our pages or apps (collectively, the “Service”).
By using the Service, you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service. This Policy is intended to meet common requirements for publishing a Facebook/Meta app, including clear disclosure of data use related to Facebook Login, Pages, and Graph API features.
1. Who we are
Blue Springs Weather and Natural Disaster provides public weather information, severe weather alerts, community observations, newsletters, optional SMS alerts, and related public-safety content for the Blue Springs / Kansas City metro area and visitors to our site.
Privacy contact: michael.pratt@bluespringswx.com
2. Information we collect
2.1 Information you provide
- Newsletter / email subscription: email address and optional name.
- SMS alerts (if enabled): phone number and consent to receive weather-related texts.
- Weather observations: temperatures, precipitation, snowfall, optional station name, observer name/email, and remarks you choose to submit.
- Live chat (if enabled): display name, messages, and optional email used to verify membership.
- Admin accounts: username, password (stored as a secure hash), email, role/permissions, and optional multi-factor authentication data.
- Contact or feedback: any information you send us by email or form.
2.2 Information collected automatically
- IP address, browser type, device type, approximate location derived from IP, referral URL, and pages viewed.
- Date/time of access and standard server or security logs (including failed login attempts).
- Cookies or similar storage for preferences such as dark mode and session authentication for administrators.
2.3 Facebook / Meta-related information
If we connect the Service to Facebook or Meta products (for example, posting weather updates to a Facebook Page, or a Facebook app used to manage that Page), we may process:
- Facebook Page ID and Page access tokens stored securely on our server for publishing content you authorize.
- Content we publish (text, links, images) and technical responses from Meta’s Graph API (such as post IDs or error messages).
- If Facebook Login or similar products are enabled in the future, profile identifiers and permissions you explicitly grant through Meta’s consent screens.
We do not sell your Facebook data. Tokens and API credentials are used only to operate features you configure (such as posting alerts to your Page). Meta processes data under its own terms and policies when you use Facebook products.
3. How we use information
- To operate and improve the weather website, alerts, radar, chat, and observation tools.
- To send newsletters, transactional messages, or SMS alerts you requested.
- To secure the Service (authentication, abuse prevention, IP bans, security logs, and login alerts).
- To publish authorized content to Facebook Pages or other channels you connect.
- To comply with law, respond to lawful requests, and protect users and the public.
- To analyze aggregate, de-identified usage to improve reliability during severe weather events.
We do not sell personal information. We do not use Facebook user data for personalized advertising networks unrelated to operating this Service.
4. Legal bases (where applicable)
Depending on your location, we process data based on: consent (subscriptions, optional fields); legitimate interests (site security, public weather information); performance of a service you request; and legal obligations.
5. Sharing of information
- Service providers: hosting, email delivery, SMS gateways (e.g., carriers or Twilio if configured), and similar processors who may only use data to provide their service to us.
- Meta/Facebook: when you use or we operate Page posting or other Meta integrations, data necessary for that feature is transmitted to Meta under your configuration and Meta’s policies.
- Public content: weather observations or chat messages you submit may be visible to other visitors or members as designed by the feature.
- Legal and safety: we may disclose information if required by law or to protect rights, safety, or security.
6. Cookies and similar technologies
We use essential cookies/session storage for admin login and security, and optional preference storage (such as theme). You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may prevent sign-in to the admin area.
7. Data retention
- Account and subscription data: retained while the account/subscription is active and for a reasonable period afterward for security and records.
- Security and login logs: retained for a limited period (for example, weeks to months) unless needed longer for investigations.
- Observations and public posts: retained as part of the site’s historical weather record unless removed by an administrator.
- Facebook tokens: retained until you disconnect the integration or replace credentials.
8. Security
We use industry-reasonable measures such as password hashing, optional multi-factor authentication, session timeouts, CSRF protections, access controls, and security logging. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Children’s privacy
The Service is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 where required by local law). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.
10. Your rights and choices
- Unsubscribe from newsletters or SMS using the instructions in those messages or by contacting us.
- Request access, correction, or deletion of personal data we hold about you, subject to legal exceptions.
- Disable optional cookies via your browser.
- Revoke Facebook/Meta permissions in your Facebook settings and disconnect tokens in our admin configuration.
To exercise rights, email michael.pratt@bluespringswx.com.
11. International users
The Service is operated from the United States. If you access it from another country, you understand your information may be processed in the U.S. and other locations where our providers operate.
12. Third-party links and services
The site may link to National Weather Service, NOAA, USGS, RainViewer, OpenStreetMap, and other third parties. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies. Facebook/Meta services are governed by Meta’s Privacy Policy.
13. Facebook Platform / App disclosure
For Meta App Review and public distribution, we disclose that our app/site integration may use Facebook Login and/or Pages API permissions solely to:
- Allow authorized administrators to connect a Facebook Page they manage;
- Publish weather alerts, forecasts, or operational notices (text and images) to that Page;
- Read technical confirmation of successful posts where required by the API.
We process this data only to provide these features. We do not use Platform Data to build shadow profiles for unrelated marketing, and we delete or discontinue use of tokens when the feature is disabled or the app is deleted.
14. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Effective date” at the top will be revised. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy where permitted by law.
15. Contact us
Questions about privacy or this Policy:
Blue Springs Weather and Natural Disaster
Email: michael.pratt@bluespringswx.com
Web: https://bluespringswx.com/privacy.php
This document is a general template for website and Facebook/Meta app transparency. It is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction and use case.