Your Privacy is Paramount

Learn How We Protect It

At A Way Out Pen Pals, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our Services.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, first and last name, state of residence, age, and other personal details you choose to provide.
Profile Information: We collect information you provide for your profile, including your interests, personal statement, and photos.
Correspondence Data: We collect data from your communications with pen pals, including messages and any attached files.
Usage Data: We collect information about how you use our Services, including your interactions with other users, your search queries, and your preferences.
Device Information: We collect information about the devices you use to access our Services, including IP addresses, browser type, operating system, and mobile device information.

2. How We Use Your Information

To Provide and Improve Our Services: We use your information to operate, maintain, and enhance our Services, including to match you with compatible pen pals, facilitate secure messaging, and personalize your experience.
To Communicate with You: We use your email address and other contact information to send you service-related notices, updates, and promotional messages. You can opt-out of promotional emails at any time.
To Ensure Safety and Security: We use your information to protect our users, enforce our Terms of Service, and comply with legal obligations.
To Analyze and Research: We use usage data to understand how our Services are used, improve our features, and develop new services.

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

With Your Consent: We may share your information with third parties when you give us your explicit consent to do so.
With Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our Services, such as email delivery, data storage, and customer support.
For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information if required by law, such as to comply with a subpoena or similar legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of A Way Out Pen Pals, our users, or the public.
Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4. Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include encryption, firewalls, and secure server environments. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

5. Your Choices and Rights

Access and Update Information: You can access and update your account information at any time by logging into your profile.
Delete Your Account: You can delete your account by contacting our support team. Upon deletion, we will remove your personal information from our systems, but some information may remain in backup copies for a limited period.
Opt-Out of Communications: You can opt-out of receiving promotional emails by following the instructions in those emails. You may still receive service-related communications.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If you disable or refuse cookies, some parts of our Services may become inaccessible or not function properly.

6. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we learn that we have collected personal information of a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information from our files as soon as possible.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on our website and updating the Last Updated date at the top. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of our Services after any changes to this Privacy Policy will constitute your acknowledgment of the modifications and your consent to abide and be bound by the updated Privacy Policy.

8. International Data Transfers

If you are accessing our Services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated. By using our Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States as necessary to provide the Services.

9. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our Services. We will also retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to other websites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party’s site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

11. Your California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have certain rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These rights include the right to request information about how your personal information is used and shared, the right to request access to your personal information, and the right to request deletion of your personal information. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@awayoutpenpals.com.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Email: support@awayoutpenpals.com
Phone: (800) 517-8704
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1804, Wenatchee, WA 98807.

Thank you for choosing A Way Out Pen Pals. We are committed to providing you with a secure, private, and enriching experience as you connect with inmates and support their journey towards rehabilitation and reintegration into society. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.