Effective September 27, 2026. This policy explains how The Courtroom Files collects, uses, and shares information through TCF Hub.
Information you provide
When you subscribe to TCF Dispatches, we store your email address, consent time, subscription status, and subscription event history. When you comment, we store your email address privately, your public display name, your comment, moderation history, and the records needed to operate your comment sign-in. Comment sign-in does not subscribe you to email unless you separately choose that option and confirm it. When you use the contact form, your name, email address, subject, and message are delivered to the TCF inbox through Resend so we can read and reply to your request. The contact form does not add you to a mailing list.
Pet photo submissions
Pet Cameo submissions have ended. For submissions received while the program was open, we retain the pet's name, your email address, your optional name, the prepared image, its technical details, the version and time of your consent, and moderation history. Submission email addresses remain private, are not added to a mailing list, and are used only to administer existing records or address rights and privacy questions.
Submitted photos remain private unless TCF selected them for use under the Pet Photo Submission Terms that applied when they were submitted.
Sidebar casting applications
When you apply for the Sidebar contributor pool, we store your contact information, written answers, availability, technical setup information, audition link, consent records, and TCF's private review history. We use this information only to evaluate and administer Sidebar casting. It does not subscribe you to marketing email.
Your audition stays on YouTube under the visibility setting you choose. TCF stores the link but does not copy the video to the Hub. TCF may receive a private ntfy alert containing your preferred on-air name, time zone, and a private review link, but not your email address or written answers.
Email delivery
Resend processes subscriber records, message delivery, bounces, complaints, and unsubscribe requests for us. Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe link and our mailing address. We retain suppression records when needed to honor an unsubscribe or prevent messages from being sent again.
Comments and moderation
A private email link is used to verify a commenter. After verification, an essential secure cookie keeps the commenter signed in for up to 30 days. TCF may receive a moderation alert through ntfy that includes the public display name, article title, and a short comment excerpt, but not the commenter's email address. Comments may be approved, rejected, removed, or retained as part of the moderation record.
Site operation and abuse prevention
Cloudflare provides hosting, database, file storage, security, and bot protection. The Hub and its service providers process normal request information such as IP address, browser details, requested pages, and timestamps to deliver the site, prevent abuse, diagnose failures, and protect forms. Some rate limits use a one-way hash derived from an IP address. Managed-link reporting stores aggregate daily click totals and does not store reader IP addresses.
Article reactions
When you heart a dispatch, the Hub places a random essential identifier in your browser and stores only a one-way hash of that identifier. This lets the site remember your reaction and limit each browser to one active heart per dispatch. It is not connected to an email address or comment account. You can remove a heart by selecting it again, or reset the identifier by clearing this site's browser data.
Court Arcade
The Hub stores your Bingo card, marks, arcade display name or anonymous choice, and a random arcade session identifier in your browser. It sends arcade presence, player choice, and game completion records to CourtWatch, which keeps the public leaderboard. A chosen display name and accepted wins can appear publicly. You can play anonymously instead. If a completion cannot be sent, the Hub stores it in your browser and retries when CourtWatch is available.
Courthouse Mahjong and Cell Block Escape load from their existing game sites inside the Hub arcade. Each game stores its own progress in your browser under its game site's address.
Store and browser storage
The Hub stores a Fourthwall cart identifier and item count in your browser so your cart can persist. Fourthwall provides product data, cart services, secure checkout, payment processing, fulfillment, shipping, returns, and order support. Information you provide during checkout is handled by Fourthwall under its own terms and privacy policy. The Hub does not store payment card numbers or checkout addresses.
Video, external links, and affiliates
The home page loads the live YouTube player when TCF is live and you choose to play it. The arcade game view loads the live YouTube player and, on desktop, live chat while TCF is live. YouTube then receives the technical information needed to deliver them. The Hub also links to podcasts, social platforms, stores, and affiliate partners. Those services may collect information after you follow a link, according to their own privacy policies. TCF may earn a commission from some affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
Measurement
We may use aggregate Cloudflare website measurement to understand traffic and site performance. We do not sell personal information, and the Hub does not use third-party advertising cookies. If those practices change, this policy and any required consent controls will be updated first.
How long information is kept
We keep information only as long as reasonably needed to provide the requested service, protect the Hub, maintain accurate business and moderation records, honor opt-outs, resolve disputes, and meet legal obligations. Retention periods can vary by record type and by the service provider processing the information.
Your choices
You may unsubscribe from marketing email at any time using the link in an email. You may also ask to access, correct, or delete personal information associated with you. Some records may be retained when reasonably necessary to honor an opt-out, protect the service, or comply with law.
Children
TCF Hub is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Security, disclosures, and changes
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards, but no online service can guarantee absolute security. We may disclose information when required by law, to protect rights or safety, or to service providers that help operate the Hub. If this policy changes materially, we will update the effective date and provide notice when appropriate.
Contact
For privacy questions or requests, email yt@courtroomfiles.com or write to The Courtroom Files, 485 S Watson Rd, Ste 103 PMB212, Buckeye, AZ 85326.