Echo History Privacy Policy
Introduction
Echo History exists to help individuals, families, and communities preserve their stories. Respect and privacy guide everything we do. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you interact with us — whether on our website, through forms, during interviews, or as part of your archival project.
Your memories and materials belong to you. We do not own your content, and we will never use, share, or sell it without your explicit consent.
What Information We Collect
what we may collect:
Project details — information you choose to share about your family, history, or archive.
Media and materials — photos, negatives, slides, tapes, film, documents, audio recordings, or digital files you provide.
Metadata — dates, names, locations, and descriptive information generated during the organization process.
Interview content — oral histories, transcripts, and recordings, only with consent.
Website data — IP address, device type, and analytics information when you visit our site.
Cookies — usage data from our website (see Cookie Policy).
How We Collect Information
We collect information when you:
Fill out intake forms or questionnaires.
Participate in interviews, oral history sessions, or project discussions.
Provide photos, media, or other archival materials.
Interact with our website, emails, or digital tools.
Contact us directly by phone, email, or in person.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
Safely digitize and preserve your photos, documents, and media.
Add metadata such as dates, names, and events to support searchability.
Communicate with you about scheduling, project updates, or next steps.
Improve our services and client experience.
Comply with legal requirements.
We will never use your materials for training, marketing, or research without your written consent.
Ownership of Content
You retain full rights to your photos, documents, and oral histories.
Echo History does not claim ownership over your materials.
We will not use or share your content for any purpose beyond your project without your explicit permission.
Handling of Physical Media
Originals remain in your care unless you authorize temporary handling.
When in our possession, materials are stored securely and returned promptly after use.
We follow non-destructive handling practices. For example, albums or scrapbooks will not be disassembled without your consent.
Metadata & AI Tools
We may create metadata such as names, dates, places, and events.
We may use AI tools to assist with facial recognition, organization, or restoration.
AI tools are used only for your project. We do not allow your content to be used for training external AI models.
All metadata created belongs to you, the client.
Digital Access & Storage
Files may be stored on encrypted drives, private servers, or secure cloud services.
Access is restricted to you and Echo staff working on your project.
Shared digital archives (e.g., websites, private libraries) are password-protected and accessible only by you and those you authorize.
Unless otherwise requested, we retain a backup copy for 60 days after delivery in case of accidental loss, after which files are securely deleted.
Consent for Oral Histories
Interviewees must agree to recording before a session begins.
Recordings are private by default and shared only with the client.
Echo will not publish, distribute, or use oral histories without written permission.
Children’s Privacy
Children under 18 cannot submit personal information without a parent or guardian.
Photos, stories, or recordings of children are treated with the same care and protection as all client materials.
How We Share Your Information
We respect your ownership of your materials.
We will only share information in the following cases:
With legal authorities when required by law.
With partners or collaborators, but only with your explicit permission.
We do not sell your information.
How We Store and Protect Your Data
Any vendors we work with must also meet strict security and privacy standards.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
Request deletion of all project files from Echo’s systems.
Withdraw consent at any time.
Request details about how your data is stored or used.
To exercise these rights, please contact us.
Cookies and Tracking
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies for analytics. You can adjust your browser settings to manage or disable cookies at any time.