One clear policy for your personal data
We take your privacy seriously. This page is your plain-English guide to what we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. No jargon, no fine print tricks.
What information does CCDI collect?
Privacy Policy Effective Date: September 3, 2026 The California Civil Defense Institute (“CCDI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit ccdipolicy.org, contact us, submit information concerning government misconduct or a potential case, subscribe to communications, make a donation, or otherwise interact with us. CCDI is a California-focused 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public-interest organization. We use information entrusted to us to advance our mission, communicate with supporters, evaluate potential matters, conduct investigations, pursue public-interest work, and operate our organization. 1. Information We Collect We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including: Name Email address Telephone number Mailing address Information submitted through contact or case-submission forms Information concerning government agencies, disputes, investigations, potential legal matters, or civil-rights concerns Documents, photographs, records, correspondence, or other materials you choose to provide Donation and transaction information Newsletter or mailing-list preferences Other information you provide when communicating with us If you make a donation, payment-card and financial information may be collected and processed directly by our third-party payment or donation-processing providers. CCDI generally does not receive or store complete payment-card numbers. 2. Information Collected Automatically When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically by our website, hosting provider, analytics services, or other technology providers. This may include: Internet Protocol (IP) address Browser and device information Operating system Approximate geographic location Pages visited Referring websites Date and time of visits Website interactions Session and traffic information Cookie or similar technology identifiers We may use analytics services, including Google Analytics, to better understand how visitors use our website. These services may use cookies or similar technologies to collect information about website activity, device characteristics, approximate location, and user interactions. 3. How We Use Information We may use information we collect to: Respond to inquiries and communications Review reports of government misconduct, civil-rights violations, or other matters submitted to us Evaluate potential investigations, advocacy efforts, litigation, referrals, or other public-interest work Communicate with individuals who request assistance Conduct research and investigations Operate and improve our website Provide newsletters, organizational updates, alerts, and other communications Process and acknowledge donations Maintain donor and supporter records Measure website traffic and effectiveness Protect the security and integrity of our website and systems Prevent fraud, abuse, or unlawful activity Comply with legal, regulatory, accounting, or reporting obligations Carry out CCDI's nonprofit mission We may also use information for other purposes that are reasonably related to the purpose for which it was provided. 4. Case Reports, Tips, and Sensitive Information CCDI receives information from members of the public concerning government activity, public records, potential misconduct, civil-rights concerns, and possible legal matters. Information submitted to CCDI may be reviewed by employees, officers, directors, attorneys, volunteers, investigators, contractors, consultants, or other persons assisting CCDI with its work when reasonably necessary. Submitting information to CCDI does not, by itself, create an attorney-client relationship or guarantee that CCDI will investigate, represent, assist, or take action concerning a matter. Unless specifically requested, you should avoid transmitting Social Security numbers, complete financial-account numbers, passwords, medical records, or other highly sensitive information through ordinary website forms or email. When appropriate, information submitted to CCDI may be incorporated into investigations, public-records requests, advocacy, litigation, reports, or other organizational activities. We will consider privacy, confidentiality, legal obligations, investigative needs, and the public interest before publicly identifying individuals who have provided nonpublic information. 5. Donations Donations may be processed through third-party donation and payment platforms. Those providers may collect information necessary to process your contribution, including your name, contact information, billing information, payment method, transaction amount, and other information required to complete the transaction. Their handling of your information is also governed by their own privacy policies and terms. CCDI may retain donor names, contact information, contribution amounts, dates, and related records for acknowledgment, accounting, tax, compliance, fundraising, and organizational purposes. 6. Email Communications If you subscribe to our mailing list, donate, contact us, or otherwise request communications, we may send you information about: CCDI investigations Litigation and legal developments Public-records findings Public-policy issues Organizational news Events or campaigns Fundraising and opportunities to support our work You may unsubscribe from promotional or fundraising email communications using the unsubscribe mechanism included in those messages. We may still send administrative or transactional communications when reasonably necessary. 7. Cookies and Analytics Our website may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, or similar technologies to: Keep the website functioning properly Understand website traffic Measure how visitors interact with the site Improve website performance and content Evaluate outreach and advertising effectiveness Prevent abuse and protect website security Some cookies may be placed by third-party services used on our website. Browser settings generally allow users to block, restrict, or delete cookies. Disabling cookies may affect some website functions. 8. Google Analytics and Google Services We may use Google Analytics or other Google services to measure website use and improve our communications. Google Analytics may collect information such as device and browser information, session activity, approximate geographic location, and information about how visitors interact with the website. Google may use cookies or similar identifiers in connection with these services. Users may manage cookies through their browser settings and may use privacy controls or opt-out tools made available by Google. 9. How We Share Information CCDI does not sell personal information in exchange for money. We may disclose information to third parties when reasonably necessary to operate the organization or advance our mission, including: Website hosting and technology providers Email and communications platforms Donation and payment processors Analytics providers Accountants and financial professionals Attorneys and legal-service providers Investigators, consultants, contractors, and volunteers Cloud-storage and document-management providers Government agencies or courts when required by law or necessary in connection with legal proceedings Other service providers assisting CCDI with nonprofit operations We may also disclose information when we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to comply with law, respond to lawful process, protect rights or safety, investigate misconduct, prevent fraud or abuse, or establish or defend legal claims. 10. Public Records and Publicly Available Information A significant portion of CCDI's work involves obtaining, analyzing, publishing, or discussing public records and information concerning public officials, government agencies, government contractors, public proceedings, and matters of public concern. Information obtained from public records, court records, government sources, public meetings, publicly accessible websites, or other lawful public sources may be used, retained, analyzed, or published in connection with CCDI's mission. This Privacy Policy does not restrict CCDI's lawful use of information that is publicly available or obtained through lawful investigative, journalistic, advocacy, or legal activities. 11. Data Security We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect information in our possession. However, no website, email system, electronic transmission, or data-storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You transmit information electronically at your own risk. 12. Data Retention We may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to: Fulfill the purpose for which it was collected Conduct investigations Evaluate or pursue legal matters Maintain organizational records Meet tax, accounting, regulatory, or legal obligations Protect CCDI's legal rights Maintain historical or research records relevant to our mission Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and the purpose for which it was collected. 13. Your Privacy Choices You may contact us to request that we: Provide information about personal information you previously submitted directly to us Correct inaccurate contact information Remove you from our mailing list Delete certain personal information you previously provided, where reasonably practicable and not subject to a legal, operational, investigative, archival, or other legitimate retention need Certain information may need to be retained where required by law or reasonably necessary for investigations, litigation, nonprofit administration, financial records, security, recordkeeping, or protection of legal rights. 14. California Privacy Rights California law provides certain privacy rights to California residents in specified circumstances. Some California privacy statutes, including portions of the California Consumer Privacy Act, apply primarily to qualifying businesses and may not apply to CCDI as a nonprofit organization. Nevertheless, CCDI seeks to handle personal information responsibly and will reasonably consider requests concerning personal information submitted directly to us. Nothing in this Privacy Policy is intended to provide rights beyond those required by applicable law. 15. Children's Privacy Our website and services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly seek to collect personal information directly from children under 13 through this website without appropriate authorization. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us improperly, contact us so that we can review the situation. 16. Third-Party Websites and Services Our website may contain links to websites, platforms, donation processors, social-media services, or other services operated by third parties. CCDI does not control the privacy practices of those third parties. Their collection and use of information are governed by their own policies and practices. 17. Do Not Track and Privacy Signals Web browsers and devices may offer “Do Not Track,” Global Privacy Control, cookie-blocking, or similar privacy settings. Because legal and technical standards concerning these signals continue to evolve, our website may not respond uniformly to every browser-based privacy signal. Where applicable law requires recognition of a particular privacy signal, we will seek to comply with that requirement. 18. Changes to This Privacy Policy We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, services, legal requirements, or organizational activities. When we make changes, we will update the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. Material changes may also be communicated through the website or other appropriate means. We encourage visitors to review this Privacy Policy periodically. 19. Contact Us Questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to: California Civil Defense Institute 1401 21st Street, Suite R Sacramento, California 95811 Email: contact@ccdipolicy.org California Civil Defense Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public-interest organization.
We don't sell your information. Here's who we share it with.
We don't sell your information. We share information only when reasonably necessary to operate CCDI, advance our mission, provide services, or comply with law.
How we store and protect what you share
We retain case reports and donation records only as long as needed. Your rights under California law are respected, and CCDI never sells your information.
The only policy we won't change is this one
We'll email you about significant privacy policy changes to our contact address on file. Questions or concerns can be directed to contact@ccdipolicy.org anytime.