Privacy Policy

We aim to collect the minimum needed to run the directory. The information we collect falls into these categories:

• Account details.When you create an account we store your email address, your chosen display name, and a securely hashed version of your password. We never store your password in plain text.
• Content you submit.Reviews, ratings, tips, questions and answers, replies, photos, favorites, and business submissions you create are stored so we can display them on the site. Photos you upload may include metadata; we recommend not uploading images that contain information you would rather keep private.
• Approximate location.If you choose to share your location — for example by tapping "near me" or allowing your browser's location prompt — we use an approximate location to sort listings by distance. We store a short-lived first-party cookie with this approximate location so the feature keeps working as you browse. You can decline the browser prompt, and clearing the cookie removes it.
• Business-claim verification.If you claim a business listing, we may collect documents or other information you provide to verify your connection to that business.
• Usage information.We collect aggregate, privacy-respecting usage data — such as which pages are popular, search terms, and general device or browser type — to understand how the directory is used and to improve it. This is measured with first-party analytics and is not tied to advertising profiles.
• Server logs.Like most websites, our servers record basic request data such as the page requested, browser type, and IP address. As described below, IP addresses are one-way hashed for abuse prevention and we do not retain raw IPs.
• Essential cookies.We set first-party session cookies to keep you signed in and to keep forms secure. We do not use third-party tracking or advertising cookies.

We do not buy personal data about you from third parties, and we run no advertising networks, social pixels, or cross-site trackers.

We use the information we collect to:

• provide, operate, and maintain the directory;
• create and secure your account and authenticate your sign-ins;
• display the reviews, photos, and other content you choose to publish;
• verify business claims and respond to your requests and messages;
• detect, prevent, and respond to spam, abuse, and security threats;
• understand aggregate usage trends so we can improve the service; and
• comply with our legal obligations.

LocalKS is not directed to children, and the service is not intended for anyone under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13, consistent with the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take reasonable steps to delete that information.

Business location data and map tiles on LocalKS are sourced fromOpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors. This is free, open data made available under theOpen Database License (ODbL).

Because this data is contributed and maintained by the public, LocalKS does not control it and cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of any business listing, location, hours, or other third-party or business data shown on the site. Listings are provided for general informational purposes only, and their inclusion does not imply our endorsement.

We keep third-party involvement to a minimum. The limited third parties we rely on are:

• Map tiles.Interactive maps load tiles from OpenStreetMap. When a map loads, your browser requests those tiles directly, which is subject to the OpenStreetMap Foundation's own policies. When your browser loads map tiles, your IP address is necessarily shared with the OpenStreetMap Foundation, subject to its privacy policy.
• AI providers.We may use AI services such as Google Gemini or OpenAI solely to help generate descriptive text for business listings. We do not intentionally send personal account data to AI providers; we use them only to generate descriptive text for listings.

We do not sell or rent your personal data, and we do not share it with advertisers or data brokers.

We keep cookies to a minimum and rely on first-party cookies only. The cookies we use fall into these categories:

• Essential cookies.First-party session cookies keep you signed in and keep forms secure. The site cannot work properly without them.
• Location ("geo") cookie.If you share your location to sort listings by distance, we store a short-lived first-party cookie holding only an approximate location. It exists to make the "near me" experience work as you move between pages, and you can remove it by clearing your browser cookies.
• Analytics.Where analytics is enabled, we use first-party, self-hosted analytics to measure aggregate usage. This data stays on our own infrastructure and is not shared with ad networks or data brokers.

We do not currently set advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. If we ever enable advertising on LocalKS, sponsored placements will always be clearly labeled and we will update this policy to explain any advertising cookies before they are used. Most browsers let you block or delete cookies in their settings; blocking essential cookies may stop parts of the Service from working.

Our servers keep basic logs to operate the site. Where an IP address is used — for example to limit spam, throttle abuse, or protect accounts — it is one-way hashed before use, so the original address cannot be recovered, and any hash is retained only briefly.

This approach lets us keep the directory safe without maintaining a log that can readily identify you.

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymize the personal information associated with it, except where we are required to retain it by law. Hashed log data is kept only for a short period.

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including hashing passwords and serving the site over encrypted connections. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and any authorities as required by applicable law.

You can view, update, or delete the content tied to your account at any time. You can also delete your account directly from your account settings on the site. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymize the personal information associated with it, except where we are required to keep certain records by law. Note that public contributions others have relied on, and content on closed-business pages retained for historical reference, may remain in anonymized form.

Subject to applicable law, you may also request to access, correct, ordelete the personal data we hold about you. To make a request, get in touch using the details below and we will help.

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or obtain a copy of your personal information, and to appeal a decision on your request. We do not sell or share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, and we will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights. To exercise a right, emailhello@localks.com; you may use an authorized agent, and we may take reasonable steps to verify your identity before responding.

We do not sell your personal data, and we do not rent or trade it to third parties for their own marketing. We never have, and we do not plan to.

LocalKS is operated in the United States and your information is processed and stored there. By using the Service you understand your information will be handled in the U.S.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of LocalKS after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Questions about privacy or your data? Email us athello@localks.comor use ourcontact form.