Privacy Policy

Our approach to privacy

Verification & Evidence Society for Paranormal Examination & Research (VESPER) respects the privacy of people who contact us, request an investigation, or apply for membership. We collect information for those purposes, limit access to authorized administrators, and do not sell personal information.

Information you provide

The information collected depends on the form you choose to submit:

• Contact messages: name, email address, subject, and message.
• Investigation requests: contact and general location information; details about reported experiences, witnesses, available documentation, environmental conditions, access, hazards, recording permission, privacy preferences, and what assistance is being requested.
• Membership applications: contact and location information; confirmation that the applicant is at least 18; availability and travel preferences; experience, skills, beliefs, judgment, teamwork, and responses to application acknowledgments.

The current forms do not accept file uploads, Social Security numbers, payment-card information, or copies of identification. Please do not submit information that is unnecessary for the purpose of your message.

Technical information

Our hosting and security systems may process information such as an IP address, browser and device information, request time, and server logs to deliver and protect the website. VESPER’s form system uses an IP address temporarily for rate limiting and stores a one-way cryptographic hash with a submission rather than storing the raw address in the submission record.

How information is used

• To respond to messages and evaluate investigation requests.
• To review membership applications and communicate with applicants.
• To operate, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the website and submission system.
• To maintain appropriate administrative records and comply with legal obligations.

Private submissions and possible case publication

Contact messages, investigation requests, and membership applications are stored in a nonpublic WordPress administration area. Submitting an investigation request does not authorize VESPER to publicly identify a person or property. Any later use of identifying case details, recordings, photographs, or findings will be governed by the permissions discussed with the requester or property representative.

Background screening

Submitting a membership application does not initiate a background screening. Applicants who receive a Conditional Invitation are asked to complete an independent, third-party background check before entering Prospective Membership. Candidates order and pay for their own screening and provide the required identifying information and authorization directly to the screening provider, not through VESPER’s website forms. With the candidate’s authorization, the screening provider sends the completed report directly to VESPER. VESPER does not request or collect Social Security numbers or payment-card information for screening. Reports are reviewed confidentially by VESPER’s founder solely for membership evaluation and related lawful purposes, are protected from general team access, and are retained only as reasonably necessary, subject to applicable legal requirements. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant; relevant findings are considered individually. Screening information submitted to the provider is subject to that provider’s privacy and data-handling practices. The provider discloses the final screening cost before the candidate pays.

Service providers and disclosure

VESPER uses WordPress and Hostinger to operate, secure, back up, and deliver the website and its email notifications. These providers may process information as needed to perform those services. If Cloudflare Turnstile is enabled for spam prevention, Cloudflare may process technical and interaction information needed to distinguish legitimate visitors from automated traffic.

We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to lawful process, protect a person from serious harm, investigate misuse, or protect VESPER’s rights and systems. We do not sell personal information or disclose private submissions for advertising.

Retention and deletion

We retain submissions only as long as reasonably needed to evaluate and respond to them, administer membership or case records, protect the organization, and meet legitimate legal or operational needs. Hosting backups and security logs may remain for their normal service-provider retention periods. A person may use the Contact page to request correction or deletion of information they submitted. We will evaluate the request after taking reasonable steps to verify identity and may retain information when a legitimate legal, safety, security, or recordkeeping reason requires it.

Security

VESPER uses access controls, private storage, validation, rate limiting, and other reasonable safeguards. No website, email system, or method of storage can be guaranteed completely secure. Do not use a website form for an emergency or for information that is not reasonably necessary.

Children

Membership is limited to adults age 18 or older. This website is not directed to children under 13, and VESPER does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. A parent or legal guardian should contact us on behalf of a minor.

Changes and questions

We may update this policy when our forms, providers, or practices change. The effective date above will be revised when a material update is published. Questions or privacy requests may be sent through the Contact VESPER page.