Privacy Policy

Effective Date: December 2025
Last Updated: December 2025

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Holiday Sober Hotline (“we,” “us,” “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled with care, transparency, and respect. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and safeguard information when you interact with our website (holidaysoberhotline.org) or contact our hotline.

Because we are a confidential, anonymous, peer-support resource, we collect as little information as possible and do not store personally identifying details from hotline conversations.

By using our website or hotline, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.

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1. Who We Are

Holiday Sober Hotline is a nonprofit, peer-support service providing emotional support for individuals seeking sobriety help during the holiday season. We do not provide medical, clinical, or professional treatment services. Our support is delivered by trained volunteers with lived recovery experience.

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2. Information We Collect

We only collect information that is necessary to operate our website, ensure safety, and improve user experience.
We break this into two categories:

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A. Information You Voluntarily Provide

You may provide information when you:

• Fill out a form on our website

• Contact us by email

• Apply to become a volunteer

• Subscribe to updates

• Make a donation (if applicable later)

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This information may include:

• Name

• Email address

• Phone number (if provided)

• Any message or inquiry content

• Volunteer application details

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We do NOT collect or store:

• Sensitive medical information

• Addiction-related personal history

• Personal identifiers shared during hotline calls

• Demographic data unless you choose to provide it

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B. Information Automatically Collected (Website Only)

When you visit our website, standard technical data may be collected automatically, such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device type

• Operating system

• Pages visited

• Time spent on site

• Cookies and analytics data

This helps us maintain site functionality and improve user experience.

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3. Hotline Call Privacy & Anonymity

Holiday Sober Hotline is designed to be anonymous, confidential, and non-clinical.

During hotline calls:

• We do NOT record calls.

• We do NOT store transcripts.

• We do NOT log names or identifying details.

• We do NOT track phone numbers (beyond what the telecom provider inherently sees).

• We do NOT sell or share any caller information.

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Rare exceptions may apply only if:

• A caller expresses clear, immediate intention to harm themselves or others.

• We are legally required to cooperate with emergency services.

Even then, our involvement is minimal and limited to safety compliance.

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4. How We Use Information

We use information only to:

• Respond to your inquiries

• Process volunteer applications

• Improve website functionality

• Maintain safety and operational integrity

• Comply with legal obligations

• Communicate announcements or updates (if you opt in)

We never use your information for advertising, profiling, reselling, or data-sharing with third parties for profit.

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5. How We Protect Your Information

We use industry-standard security measures, including:

• SSL website encryption

• Secure data storage

• Limited staff access to administrative data

• Routine security monitoring

• Volunteer confidentiality agreements

While no system is 100% secure, we take all reasonable steps to protect the information entrusted to us.

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6. Sharing & Disclosure of Information

We do NOT sell, trade, or rent your information.

We may only disclose information when:

1. Required by law (e.g., subpoenas, court orders)

2. Necessary to prevent immediate harm

3. Working with trusted service providers strictly for:

   • Website hosting

   • Email delivery

   • Security analytics

These providers must maintain confidentiality and cannot use data for their own purposes.

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7. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website may use:

• Essential cookies (required for site functionality)

• Analytics cookies (e.g., Google Analytics, unless disabled)

• Performance tracking

You can disable cookies through your browser settings at any time.

We do not use targeted advertising cookies.

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8. Third-Party Links

The website may include links to external resources such as:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• SAMHSA

• AA/NA/SMART Recovery

• Treatment locator tools

• Mental health resources

We do not control these third-party sites, and their privacy practices may differ.
We encourage you to review their policies.

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9. Children’s Privacy

Holiday Sober Hotline is intended for individuals 18 and older.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If we become aware of such data, we will delete it promptly.

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10. Data Retention

We retain only the information necessary to operate our website or manage volunteer communications.

We do not retain hotline call data.

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11. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

• Access your data

• Request corrections

• Request deletion

• Withdraw consent

• Opt out of emails

• Request a copy of data we hold

To exercise these rights, contact us at:
info@holidaysoberhotline.org

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12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally.
If changes are significant, we will post a notice on our website.

By continuing to use our site or hotline, you accept the updated policy.

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13. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or data requests, contact:

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Holiday Sober Hotline
info@holidaysoberhotline.org