1. Introduction
Welcome to Zippgun.
Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how Zippgun collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your information when you use our website, create an account, purchase services, submit music, participate in feedback sessions, or otherwise interact with the platform.
Our goal is to collect only the information reasonably necessary to operate our services while respecting your privacy and creative ownership.
By using Zippgun, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
2. Who We Are
Zippgun is an independent music publication and artist development platform offering editorial music reviews, promotional opportunities, and professional one-on-one feedback services for independent artists.
Throughout this policy:
- "Zippgun," "we," "our," and "us" refer to Zippgun.
- "You" refers to visitors, customers, artists, contributors, or anyone using the platform.
3. Information We Collect
The information we collect depends on how you use the platform.
Account Information
When you create an account, we may collect:
- Name
- Artist or project name
- Email address
- Username
- Password (stored in encrypted/hashed form)
- Account preferences
Service Information
When you purchase or use our services, we may collect information needed to provide those services, including:
- Music submissions
- Audio files
- Streaming links
- Album artwork
- Artist biographies
- Project descriptions
- Session goals
- Project notes
- Feedback requests
- Booking information
- Written feedback notes
Order Information
When purchasing services, we may collect:
- Billing name
- Billing address
- Email address
- Purchase history
- Order status
- Transaction identifiers
Zippgun does not store complete payment card information.
Payments are processed through trusted third-party payment providers.
Communications
When you contact us, we may collect:
- Emails
- Contact form submissions
- Support requests
- Administrative correspondence
Technical Information
Like most websites, we automatically collect limited technical information such as:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device information
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Referring website
- Approximate location derived from IP
- Cookie and session information
This information helps us operate, secure, and improve the platform.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use information to:
- Create and manage accounts
- Process purchases
- Deliver requested services
- Assign Feedback Contributors
- Schedule feedback sessions
- Provide customer support
- Publish editorial reviews (where applicable)
- Maintain platform security
- Improve platform functionality
- Meet legal obligations
- Send important service-related communications
We do not sell personal information.
5. Music & Creative Works
Artists retain ownership of all music, lyrics, recordings, artwork, branding, and other creative materials submitted to Zippgun.
Submitting content to Zippgun does not transfer ownership to us.
We use submitted materials only as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide requested feedback services
- Evaluate editorial review submissions
- Publish editorial content requested by the artist
- Operate the platform
We do not use submitted creative works for unrelated commercial purposes without permission.
6. Feedback Sessions & Contributor Access
When you purchase a feedback service, the assigned Feedback Contributor receives only the information reasonably necessary to prepare for and conduct the requested session.
This may include:
- Artist or project name
- Submitted music
- Project notes
- Session goals
- Relevant booking information
Contributors are required to maintain confidentiality and use submitted materials solely for providing the requested service.
7. Reviews & Published Content
Review submissions differ from feedback submissions.
If you request an editorial review, certain information may become publicly visible as part of the published article, including:
- Artist or project name
- Release title
- Album artwork
- Public streaming links
- Editorial review content
Private submission materials are not automatically published.
8. Payments
Payments are processed through trusted third-party payment providers.
Zippgun does not store complete credit card numbers or payment credentials.
Payment providers process transactions under their own privacy and security practices.
9. Cookies & Similar Technologies
Zippgun uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Maintain secure login sessions
- Operate shopping cart functionality
- Remember user preferences
- Improve website performance
- Understand general website usage
Some cookies are essential for the platform to function and cannot be disabled.
Non-essential cookies are managed through our cookie consent preferences where required by applicable law.
10. Third-Party Services
To operate the platform, Zippgun relies on trusted third-party providers for services such as:
- Website hosting
- Payment processing
- Scheduling
- Video conferencing
- Email delivery
- Analytics
- Website functionality
These providers process information according to their own privacy practices and applicable agreements.
11. Email Communications
We send emails necessary to operate the platform, including:
- Account verification
- Purchase confirmations
- Booking notifications
- Session reminders
- Service updates
- Security notifications
Where permitted by law and with appropriate consent, we may also send optional marketing communications. You may opt out of marketing emails at any time.
12. Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
No method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
13. Data Retention
We retain information only as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide services
- Maintain account history
- Preserve feedback records
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes
- Enforce our agreements
Certain records, including completed feedback notes and purchase history, may remain associated with your account to preserve the integrity of the services you have received.
14. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to:
- Access your personal information
- Correct inaccurate information
- Request deletion of personal information
- Object to certain processing
- Restrict processing in certain circumstances
- Receive a copy of your information where required by law
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.
15. Children's Privacy
Zippgun is not intended for children under the age required by applicable law to provide their own consent for online services.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate authorization.
16. International Users
If you access Zippgun from outside the United States, your information may be processed and stored in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate.
Where required, we take reasonable steps to protect personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
17. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices.
The updated version will become effective when published on this page.
18. Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices may be directed to:
Email: hello@zippgun.com *(or another designated privacy contact)*
If you do not maintain a separate privacy inbox, this may instead reference your primary support contact.