Privacy Policy

What we collect

Searches: when you search, we log the search term, the city you selected, and the result count, to improve coverage. We do not tie searches to your identity.

Business submissions: if you add or nominate a business, we collect the information you provide (business name, address, phone, email, social links) to verify and publish the listing.

Location: we never collect or store your precise GPS location. If you share location to sort results, it is used in the moment and stored at city-level only.

Accounts and sign-in

You can sign in with a one time magic link sent to your email address, or with Google. If you sign in with Google, we receive your email address and your name from Google. We never receive your Google password. We store your email address, and your name if provided, to identify your account. We set a session cookie so you stay signed in. This cookie is required for the site to work and is not used for advertising.

If you claim a business, we also collect the business name, your name, your role, your phone number, and any proof you send, so we can verify you own the listing. Saved favorites and follows are stored against your account.

You can delete your account at any time at the /delete-account page. Deleting your account removes the account record along with its saved favorites and follows.

How we use it

To operate the directory, verify listings, respond to submissions, send listing-related emails (claims, verification steps, listing stats), and improve which cities and categories we cover. We do not sell your personal information.

Service providers

We use trusted processors to run the service: hosting (Replit), email and contact management (Brevo), and public business-data sources (Google, Yelp, state licensing boards) for verification. Each receives only what it needs to do its job.

Cookies & analytics

We use Microsoft Clarity for analytics and session replay to understand how people use the site. Clarity captures pages viewed, clicks, scrolling, and general device and browser information. Clarity masks text input by default. This data is processed by Microsoft. We do not use advertising trackers and we do not sell personal information.

Your choices

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information at any time, including removal of a business listing you own, by emailing hello@blackownedcity.com. California and EU/EEA residents may have additional rights under CCPA/GDPR; we honor reasonable requests regardless of where you live.

Children

This service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their data.

Changes

We will post any changes to this policy on this page with an updated effective date.