Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Forzel (“Forzel,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates a small-town community and marketplace platform at forzel.com. This policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the choices you have.

1. Information we collect

Information you give us

Mobile phone number. Required to create an account and to sign in. This is the primary identifier for your account.
Profile information. Display name, and any optional details you choose to add, such as a general location or profile photo.
Content you post. Marketplace listings, community posts, messages to other users, and any images you upload.

Information collected automatically

Device and connection data. IP address, browser or app version, and operating system.
Usage data. Pages viewed and features used, to diagnose problems and improve the service.
Cookies and local storage. Used to keep you signed in and remember preferences. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.

2. How we use your information

To create and secure your account, and to verify your identity when you sign in.
To operate the marketplace and community features, including displaying your listings and posts to other users.
To send you service notifications about activity relevant to you.
To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, spam, and violations of our Terms.
To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.

3. Text messages (SMS)

We use SMS for account verification and sign-in only. When you create an account or sign in, we send a one-time passcode to the mobile number you provide. We do not send marketing, promotional, or advertising text messages.

Verification messages are delivered through Twilio, our SMS provider, which processes your phone number solely to deliver the message on our behalf. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies and depends on how often you sign in.

Text HELP for help. Text STOP to opt out of messages at any time. Because SMS passcodes are how we verify sign-ins, opting out may prevent you from accessing your account.

We do not share mobile information with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. No mobile information is sold, rented, or shared with data brokers or lead generators under any circumstances. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent are not shared with any third party, except the subcontractor that delivers the message (Twilio), which is prohibited from using it for any other purpose.

Notifications about activity on Forzel — new messages, listing responses, and community replies — are delivered by web push and mobile push notification, not by SMS.

4. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only in these circumstances:

With other users, where you choose to make it visible — your display name, listings, posts, and messages you send.
With service providers who process data on our behalf under contract, limited to what they need to perform their function. These currently include Twilio (SMS delivery), our hosting provider, and our content delivery network.
For legal reasons, where we believe disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with a law, regulation, or valid legal process, or to protect the safety of any person.
In a business transfer, if Forzel is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case we will give notice before your information becomes subject to a different policy.

5. Data retention

We keep your account information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to keep it longer for legal, tax, or fraud-prevention purposes. Content you posted publicly may remain visible where it has been quoted or replied to by others.

6. Security

All traffic to Forzel is encrypted in transit using TLS. Access to production systems is restricted to authorized personnel over a private network. No system is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to protect your information using measures appropriate to its sensitivity.

7. Your choices and rights

Access and correction. You can view and update your profile information from your account settings.
Deletion. You can delete your account at any time from your account settings, or by contacting us.
Notifications. You can turn off push notifications in your browser or device settings.
SMS. Reply STOP to any message to stop receiving texts.

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights over your personal information, including the right to request a copy of it or to object to certain processing. Contact us using the details below to exercise those rights.

8. Children

Forzel is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you in the app.

10. Contact us

Questions about this policy or your personal information:

dev@forzel.com