Important Notice: This Privacy Policy explains how Vega for Congress collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you make donations through our platform. Political contributions are subject to federal reporting requirements that may make some of your information public.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information that you provide directly to us and information that is automatically collected when you use our donation platform.
1.1 Information You Provide
When you make a donation, we collect:
| Information Type |
Required |
Purpose |
| Full Name |
Yes |
FEC reporting, donation processing |
| Email Address |
Yes |
Donation receipts, communication |
| Phone Number |
Optional |
Communication, verification |
| Mailing Address |
Yes |
FEC reporting, verification |
| Occupation |
Yes (if >$200 aggregate) |
FEC reporting requirements |
| Employer |
Yes (if >$200 aggregate) |
FEC reporting requirements |
| Payment Information |
Yes |
Processing donations |
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our platform, we may automatically collect:
- IP address and geographic location
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring website information
- Technical information about your internet connection
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
2.1 Donation Processing
- Processing your donation transactions
- Sending donation receipts and confirmations
- Managing recurring donations
- Fraud prevention and security
2.2 Legal Compliance
- Complying with Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting requirements
- Verifying donor eligibility and contribution limits
- Maintaining required donation records
- Responding to legal requests and regulatory inquiries
2.3 Communication
- Sending donation receipts and transaction confirmations
- Providing customer support
- Sending campaign updates and newsletters (with your consent)
- Notifying you of important changes to our services
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information in the following circumstances:
3.1 Federal Election Commission Reporting
Public Disclosure: Federal law requires that we report contributor information to the FEC for donations over certain thresholds. This information becomes part of the public record and is available for public inspection.
Information that may become public includes:
- Your name and address
- Donation amount and date
- Your occupation and employer (for contributions over $200 aggregate)
3.2 Service Providers
We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us with:
- Payment processing (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- Email delivery services
- Data analytics and website functionality
- Customer support services
- Legal and accounting services
3.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by law or to:
- Comply with legal process or government requests
- Protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
- Investigate fraud or other illegal activities
- Enforce our Terms of Service
4. Data Security
We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information:
4.1 Technical Safeguards
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
- Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers
- Regular security audits and updates
- Access controls and authentication systems
- Data backup and recovery procedures
4.2 Organizational Safeguards
- Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Employee training on data protection
- Confidentiality agreements with service providers
- Regular review of security policies and procedures
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:
- Donation Records: Maintained for at least 7 years as required by federal law
- Payment Information: Processed and not stored by us; retained by payment processors according to their policies
- Communication Records: Retained until you opt out or as required for legal compliance
- Website Data: Automatically deleted after 26 months unless needed for legal purposes
6. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:
6.1 Access and Correction
- Request access to the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Update your contact preferences
6.2 Communication Preferences
- Opt out of non-essential communications at any time
- Unsubscribe from email lists using provided links
- Contact us to update your communication preferences
6.3 Limitations
Please note that some rights may be limited by:
- Federal election law reporting requirements
- Legal obligations to maintain records
- Legitimate interests in fraud prevention and security
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience:
7.1 Types of Cookies
- Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
- Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
7.2 Managing Cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.
8. Third-Party Links and Services
Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
9. Children's Privacy
Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Federal law prohibits contributions from individuals under 18.
10. International Users
Our donation platform is intended for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents only, as required by federal election law. If you are located outside the United States, please note that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on this page with a new effective date
- Sending email notification for significant changes
- Providing notice through our platform
12. Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Privacy Officer
Email: info@votevega.nyc
Mail: Vega for Congress
1157 INTERVALE AVENUE APT. 2D
BRONX, NY 10459
13. Data Processing Legal Basis
We process your personal information based on:
- Consent: When you voluntarily provide information and agree to our terms
- Legal Obligation: To comply with federal election law reporting requirements
- Legitimate Interest: For fraud prevention, security, and operational purposes
- Contractual Necessity: To process your donations and provide receipts
14. State-Specific Privacy Rights
Residents of certain states may have additional privacy rights under state law. If you are a resident of California, Virginia, Colorado, or other states with comprehensive privacy laws, please contact us for information about your specific rights.
15. Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach that may affect your personal information, we will:
- Assess the scope and impact of the breach
- Take immediate steps to secure affected systems
- Notify affected individuals without unreasonable delay
- Report to appropriate authorities as required by law
- Provide information about steps you can take to protect yourself
