Date of change: June 2026
This page explains, in plain language, what we collect when you use TrunkSMP Forums and why. We've tried to keep this short and honest rather than burying things in legal language.
When you create an account and use the forums, we collect your username, the password you choose (stored securely, never in plain text), and basic account activity like when you joined and when you last visited. We also collect your IP address and some basic device identifiers (like your browser and operating system) each time you connect, mainly so we can keep accounts secure and recover access if something goes wrong.
If you upload an image — a post banner or a report attachment, for example — we strip hidden metadata (like location data some phones embed in photos) before it's stored, so that information never leaves your device.
Users can share YouTube links on forum threads, which we display as embedded players. Playback is served directly by YouTube — we don't host or store the video data ourselves — so YouTube's own privacy practices apply to that playback. We keep a record of who uploaded a video link and when, for moderation purposes. Videos may be taken down if they're reported or found to violate our rules; see our takedown explanation for more.
We use this information to keep your account secure, to make sure the community stays safe and functional, and to troubleshoot problems when something breaks. We don't sell your data, and we don't share it with advertisers beyond what's needed to display the ads that help keep the lights on.
We keep account information for as long as your account is active. If you ask us to delete your account, your personal information is removed from public view immediately, and the underlying data is fully removed within a reasonable period afterward.
You can review and manage your account details, connected sessions, and preferences at any time from your profile. You can switch your display theme, see which devices are signed in, and sign out of other sessions whenever you'd like.
If you have questions about this policy or want something changed about your account, reach out to the TrunkSMP team through our community channels.