Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 1/26/2026

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Price Submissions

When you submit price data through our platform, we collect:

• Price information for specific items and categories
• Country and location data related to the submission
• Submission timestamp

1.2 Abuse Prevention

To prevent spam and abuse of our price submission system, we collect and store:

• Anonymized IP addresses (last octet removed for IPv4, last segment replaced for IPv6)
• Submission timestamps for rate limiting purposes

These anonymized IP addresses are used solely for preventing duplicate submissions and rate limiting, and cannot be used to identify individual users.

1.3 Analytics Data

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics collects:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• Referring website or source
• Browser type, operating system, and device information
• Approximate geographic location (city/country level)
• Interactions with site features and content

This data is collected through cookies and similar technologies. Google Analytics data is processed by Google LLC. For more information, see Google's Privacy Policy.

1.4 Advertising Data

We may display advertisements served by Google Ads on our website. In connection with serving ads, Google may collect or receive:

• Cookie and device identifiers
• IP address
• Browsing activity on our site and other sites
• Ad interaction data (impressions, clicks)

Google may use this information to show you personalized ads based on your interests. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to:

• Maintain and improve our cost of living database
• Verify and validate community-submitted price data
• Prevent fraud, spam, and abuse of our platform through rate limiting (max 30 submissions per hour from the same anonymized IP)
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns through Google Analytics
• Display relevant advertisements through Google Ads
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. Price data submitted by users becomes part of our public database and may be displayed on our website. We may share aggregated, anonymized data for research purposes.

We share data with the following third-party services:

• Google Analytics: Website usage data is shared with Google for analytics purposes.
• Google Ads: Browsing and interaction data may be shared with Google to serve and measure advertisements on our site.

4. Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality.
• Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics uses cookies (such as _ga and _gid) to collect anonymous usage data about how visitors interact with our website. These cookies help us understand traffic patterns and improve our service.
• Advertising Cookies: Google Ads may set cookies to serve relevant advertisements and track ad performance. These cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads on other sites.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality. You can also opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Object to processing of your data

7. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to individuals under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify users of significant changes by posting a notice on our website.

9. Third-Party Services

Our website uses the following third-party services:

• Google Analytics: A web analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Analytics uses cookies to help us analyze how users interact with our website. The information generated is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google may use this data to contextualize and personalize ads within its own advertising network. For more details, see Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google Ads: We may display advertisements served by Google LLC. Google may use cookies and tracking technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites. You can opt out of personalized advertising at Google Ads Settings or visit www.aboutads.info to opt out of third-party advertising cookies.
• Twemoji: Used for consistent emoji rendering across all platforms. Twemoji graphics are copyright Twitter, Inc and other contributors, licensed under CC-BY 4.0.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at our contact page.