Privacy Policy

Who we are

The Bay Area Metal Detecting Directory (“the Directory”) is a volunteer project of the Bay Area Metal Detecting Association (BAMDA). Invited detectorists can create an account to manage a public listing and, if they opt in, a private Members profile.

Information we collect

• Account information. If you are invited and create an account, our authentication provider (Clerk) stores identifiers such as your email address and sign-in details. We keep a profile record tied to that account.
• Profile information. Detectorists may provide a display name, photo, city and state, places they commonly detect, regions served for recoveries, specialties, detecting-since year, bio, detectors they use (shown on Members profiles, not the public directory), website, social media links, whether the listing is public, and whether they appear in Members (visible only to other signed-in members who have also opted in).
• Stories and photos. Detectorists may add detecting stories and photos from their profile. Published stories appear on a public profile when the listing is public, and in Members when that member has opted in.
• Lost-item messages. If you use a contact form, we collect what you submit (name, email, optional phone, and details about the lost item) so we can email it to the detectorist you selected. We do not keep the message body in our database. We store hashed metadata used only to limit abuse (hashed IP address and email, which detectorist was contacted, and when).
• Member connections and messages. If you opt into Members, other opted-in members can request to connect. After a request is accepted, we store the messages you send each other in the app so you can continue the conversation. We may also email you a notice when someone requests a connection, accepts, or sends a message.
• Technical data. We may receive standard log data such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited. Signed-in members use cookies or similar technologies needed to stay signed in and operate the site. We also use Google Analytics to record page views and how people move through the site (the same Analytics property as bayareadetecting.com).

How we use information

We use this information to operate the Directory, publish profiles and stories that detectorists choose to make public, deliver lost-item contact messages, run the opted-in Members network (including connection requests and in-app messages), authenticate accounts, prevent abuse of the contact form, understand how the site is used, and keep the site working. We do not sell personal information, and we do not use it for advertising.

When information is public

Public directory listings and published stories are visible to anyone who visits the site. Do not include private contact details in a public profile unless you want them shown. Members profiles are visible only to signed-in members who have also opted into Members; they are not listed on the public directory unless you turn that on separately. Messages sent through the contact form are emailed to the selected detectorist and are not published. Member-to-member messages stay in the app for the two connected people. Your sign-in email stays private.

Sharing

We share information with service providers that help us run the site: authentication (Clerk), hosting (Vercel), database (Neon), photo storage (Vercel Blob), email delivery (Resend), and website analytics (Google Analytics). Contact-form submissions are emailed to the detectorist you chose to message. We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect the safety of users or the public.

Retention and your choices

We keep account, profile, story, photo, connection, and member message data while your account is active. Contact-form rate-limit records are kept only as hashed metadata for a limited window so we can prevent spam.

Signed-in detectorists can update or unpublish a listing from their profile. You can also delete your account there. Deletion removes your Clerk sign-in, profile, stories, uploaded photos, member connections, and in-app messages from the Directory. Messages that were already emailed (lost-item contact or member notices) are not recalled from an inbox. New accounts are created by invitation.

If you cannot sign in, or you want help with another privacy request, email hello@directory.bayareadetecting.com.

Children

The Directory is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.

Changes

We may update this policy as the site evolves. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of the Directory after an update means you accept the revised policy.