Privacy Policy & Community Rules

This Privacy Policy explains how the I’m Adopted community (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you interact with us, whether on our website, through our forms, or via social media.

“Personal information” means any information that can directly or indirectly identify you or another person.

Your Rights

• If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our website or submit information to us.
• You can contact our team anytime through our contact page if you have questions about how we handle information.
• We only use your personal information for the purposes we collected it for. If we no longer need it, we securely delete or anonymise it.

Information We Collect

We may collect the following information from you:

• Your name and contact details, such as your email address.
• Your IP address and browser type.
• Stories or testimonies you choose to submit.
• Feedback, survey responses, or messages you send us.
• Any other information you choose to provide.

Please do not share someone else’s personal information unless you have their consent and they understand this policy.

How We Collect Information

• Directly from you, such as when you fill out a form, send us your story or contact us.
• Indirectly through your interactions on social media.
• From our team or ambassadors when following up on story submissions.
• From publicly available sources where information is shared openly.

Why We Use Information

• To respond to your enquiries or messages.
• To share adoption stories, always with your consent.
• To operate and improve our website and community tools.
• To maintain our records as a registered New Zealand nonprofit organisation.
• To comply with our legal obligations.
• For any other purpose you clearly authorise.

Sometimes we may contact you to ask for feedback on our community projects or events. We will only use your information for these purposes if you have given clear consent. We never sell or disclose personal information to third parties unless required by law.

How We Protect Your Information

We take security seriously. Reasonable measures are in place to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, use, modification, or loss. Only authorised team members can access submitted data.

Access and Correction

We only hold information that you have chosen to share with us, such as messages sent through our contact form, stories shared publicly, event registrations, or newsletter sign-ups. Event information like names and email addresses is used only to manage attendance and send updates if you have requested them.

This information is never sold or shared outside our team. If you would like to review, update, or remove your details at any time, please contact us through our contact page and we will be happy to help.

Online Conduct and Community Rules

I’m Adopted welcomes open, honest, and respectful conversations about adoption, including different personal views and experiences. We recognise that adoption brings many emotions and perspectives, and all experiences are valid when shared with kindness and respect. We support open dialogue and empathy for every part of the adoption journey.

Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for adoptees. To protect that space, the following rules apply across all our platforms and community spaces:

• Respect others’ lived experiences, even when opinions differ.
• No harassment, bullying, or personal attacks of any kind.
• No spreading false claims, threats, or targeted harassment.
• No racism, discrimination, or hate speech.

We may remove or block individuals who breach these guidelines. If you believe a moderation decision was unfair, you can contact our team for review. I’m Adopted is a neutral space built on understanding, where all adoptees can feel safe, heard, and respected, regardless of their personal journey or views.

Privacy Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about privacy or how your information is handled, please contact us through our contact page. Your message will go directly to our privacy team.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will appear on this page and take effect 14 days after posting. Continuing to use our website after that time means you agree to the new policy.

Thank you for being part of the I’m Adopted community. We know adoption is complex, and we honour every story and perspective shared here.