ChicagoChicagoSpecials.com ("Chicago Specials," "we," "us") is a father-and-son project that helps people find real, current happy hours, specials, and hidden gems around Chicago. This policy explains what information we collect when you use the site, how we use it, and what choices you have. By using ChicagoSpecials.com, you agree to the practices described here and in our Terms of Service.
Information We Collect
Account information. To sign in and contribute to the site (nominate a gem, add a photo, suggest a special, claim a business), you create an account through Firebase Authentication using one of: Google sign-in, Apple sign-in, email and password, or a phone number verified by text message. Depending on the method you choose, we receive your name, email address, and/or phone number from that provider.
Content you submit. When you nominate a business, suggest a special, upload a photo, or submit a business claim, we collect whatever you enter in those forms — including any photos you upload, captions, business details, and (for business claims) your name, role, contact email, and phone number. See "Content You Submit" in our Terms of Service for how that content is used and reviewed.
Newsletter signups. If you subscribe to our email newsletter, we collect your email address through Beehiiv, our newsletter provider, to send you updates. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email we send.
Usage data. We use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand how people use the site — pages visited, general location (city-level), device type, and similar aggregate, non-identifying usage patterns. Google Analytics uses cookies to do this; see "Cookies" below.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information above to: operate your account and let you contribute content; review, moderate, and (if approved) publish photos, specials, and nominations; respond to business claims and contact-form messages; send newsletter emails to subscribers; and understand overall site usage so we can improve it. We do not sell your personal information.
Who We Share It With
We rely on a small number of service providers to run the site, and your information may pass through them as a result:
- Google Firebase / Google Cloud — authentication, database (Firestore), and file storage (photo uploads) for the site. See Google's Privacy Policy.
- Google Analytics — anonymized/aggregate site usage tracking. See Google's Privacy Policy.
- Beehiiv — our email newsletter platform. See Beehiiv's Privacy Policy.
We don't sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes. We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Chicago Specials, our users, or the public.
Cookies
The site uses cookies set by Google Analytics to measure traffic and usage. You can block or clear cookies through your browser settings; doing so may affect some site features but won't prevent you from browsing.
Your Choices & Rights
You can review or update your account information from your account page while signed in. To request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete your account and associated data, email chicagospecials@gmail.com — we'll respond and act on reasonable requests within a reasonable timeframe. Note that content you've contributed and that's already been published to the public site (e.g. a photo or nomination) may remain visible even after an account is deleted, unless you specifically ask us to remove that content too.
Children's Privacy
ChicagoSpecials.com is not directed at children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we'll remove it.
Data Security
We rely on Google Firebase's infrastructure and security practices to store account and content data. No online service can guarantee perfect security, but we don't store payment card information ourselves and limit what we collect to what's needed to run the site.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the site grows. We'll update the "Last updated" date above when we do. Continued use of the site after a change means you accept the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy or your data? Email chicagospecials@gmail.com.
