Your privacy matters here.
This page explains the information used to run your CottageTrades account and community features.
Public information
Your chosen name, handle, bio, profile photo, town, interests, maker availability, published goods, and public discussions are visible to other visitors. Public map positions are approximate. Avoid putting exact addresses or private details into a profile, listing, or circle post.
Private information
Account email and sign-in credentials are not part of your public profile. Conversations and pickup directions are restricted to their participants. Orders are visible to the buyer and maker. Reports, evidence, and support requests are available to the member and authorized reviewers; reporter identity and private evidence are not shown to the reported maker.
Information needed to operate the service
We store account details, saves and preferences, messages, requests, orders, participation, and moderation records to provide those features. AWS services support account access, data storage, images, and town lookup. Stripe handles payment and connected-seller information when online checkout is available. Card details are entered through Stripe rather than stored in CottageTrades.
Device storage and maps
Sign-in uses a session cookie. Browsing choices and recoverable listing drafts may be saved on your device. Device location is optional and rounded before use as a browsing center. Map providers receive requests needed to display map tiles. Shared search links contain your chosen approximate browsing area and filters; share them only if you are comfortable sharing that area.
Your controls
Update your public profile, change notification preferences, block a member, sign out all devices, and download account data from your account. A device draft can be discarded in the listing editor. Request account closure through account privacy controls; outstanding trades and retention needs are reviewed before removal. Transaction, abuse-review, and other records may need to be retained rather than immediately erased.
Questions and corrections
Use private support to ask about account information or request a correction. Do not send passwords, verification codes, or card details.