PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: September 6, 2025

The Texas Civil Guard (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us through this website. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, and the steps we take to safeguard it. By using our website, making a donation, or submitting an application, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information when you interact with our website, apply for membership, or make a donation:

  • Basic Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.

  • Application & Membership Data: Information you submit through forms, including any additional details you voluntarily provide.

  • Background Check Information: Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, images of government-issued identification (such as driver’s license or Texas License to Carry permit), and other supporting documents (e.g., DD-214).

  • Donation Information: Donor full name, email address, donation amount, and date of donation (collected and stored by Squarespace).

  • Technical Information: Automatically collected data such as IP address, browser type, and analytics information collected through Squarespace and Google Analytics.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information may be used for the following purposes:

  • Responding to inquiries and communicating with you.

  • Processing applications for membership and conducting required background checks.

  • Coordinating with landowners regarding training sites.

  • Sending confirmations for donations, applications, or other submissions.

  • Providing updates or information about our activities (if requested).

  • Maintaining internal operational records for acknowledgment and compliance purposes.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

3. Donations and Payment Processing

  • All payments, including donations and background check fees, are processed exclusively through Squarespace’s payment system.

  • Texas Civil Guard does not directly collect, process, or store payment card details.

  • Donor records (name, email, donation amount, date of donation) are collected and stored by Squarespace for receipt, acknowledgment, and marketing purposes.

  • Donors may choose to make recurring donations. These transactions are managed directly through Squarespace.

  • All payment information is subject to Squarespace’s privacy policy and security measures.

4. Background Checks

  • Applicants are required to provide sensitive personal information, including SSN, date of birth, driver’s license, Texas License to Carry permit, and/or DD-214 or other government-issued documentation.

  • These documents are transmitted through Squarespace and securely delivered to our encrypted ProtonMail server.

  • Background checks are processed through our third-party provider, TruthFinder. Their separate privacy policy governs their handling of applicant information.

  • Texas Civil Guard does not retain copies of background check results. All data is purged after processing is complete.

5. Data Sharing with Third Parties

We may share your information with trusted third parties only as necessary to operate our organization, including:

  • Squarespace: Payment processing, donor recordkeeping, and analytics.

  • TruthFinder: Background check processing.

  • Google Analytics: Website traffic and usage analysis.

These third parties are contractually or operationally obligated to handle your data in accordance with their own privacy and security policies.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These include:

  • Encrypted email transmission via ProtonMail.

  • Secure storage of donor records within Squarespace systems.

  • Purging of sensitive applicant data after background checks are completed.

However, no system of data transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.

7. Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses cookies and analytics tools (including Squarespace Analytics and Google Analytics) to collect information about visitor activity. This may include IP addresses, browser type, and browsing behavior.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, though some website features may not function properly without them.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our website, services, and membership are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently received personal data from a child under 18, we will delete it promptly.

9. Your Rights

You may request that we:

  • Provide you with a copy of the personal information we have on file.

  • Correct any inaccuracies in your data.

  • Delete your personal information (subject to legal or operational requirements).

Requests may be submitted to the contact information provided in Section 12.

10. Jurisdiction and Legal Compliance

This Privacy Policy, and any disputes relating to it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law provisions.

Our website, services, and donation/payment systems are intended only for use within the United States. We do not extend services, collect data, or process payments for individuals outside the U.S.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: admin@texascivilguard.org