PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP LLC

"PUBLIC'S POWER TO HOLD GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE"

Privacy Policy

Protecting Your Information at Public Accountability Group LLC

Last updated: August 12, 2025

Who we are

Public Accountability Group LLC (“PAG,” “we,” “us,” “our”) operates FOIAPOWER.COM to help the public request, track, and learn about Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records and related public-records processes.

  • Website: https://foiapower.com
  • Legal name: Public Accountability Group LLC
  • Mailing address: Public Accountability Group LLC, 1267 AVENUE A #79 Springfield, Michigan, 49037 United States
  • Contact email: rjlarkey@gmail.com

What we do

We provide (1) public-records request workflows and tools, (2) educational content, (3) paid memberships and one-time digital downloads, and (4) optional request-handling services where we act as your authorized agent to submit requests to government agencies.

Information we collect

1) Account & profile

  • Name, email, password (hashed), username, membership plan, renewal status.
  • Optional profile fields (phone, organization, role).

2) Billing & purchases

  • Billing name, email, and addresses; transaction totals; items purchased; renewal dates.
  • Payment card data is processed by our payment processors (e.g., Stripe/PayPal) and never stored on our servers.

3) FOIA/public-records requests (core service data)

When you draft or submit requests with us (including when we act as your agent), we may collect:

  • Request text, target agency, dates, delivery method, tracking numbers, response letters.
  • Your contact details required by the agency (e.g., name, mailing address, phone, email).
  • Optional identifiers you choose to provide that agencies sometimes require (e.g., case numbers). Do not include SSNs, driver’s license numbers, or other sensitive identifiers unless an agency explicitly requires them.

4) Communications

  • Emails, contact-form submissions, support tickets, and call notes.

5) Site activity & device data

  • IP address, browser/OS, pages viewed, referring URLs, approximate location (city/region), cookies and similar technologies.

6) User-generated content

  • Comments, reviews, forum posts, and any files you upload (if uploads are enabled). You are responsible for ensuring uploads are lawful and do not include third-party personal data without permission.

Why we collect it (use of information)

We use information to:

  • Create and manage your account and memberships.
  • Process payments and deliver digital files.
  • Draft, submit, track, and archive public-records requests you initiate.
  • Communicate with you about requests, responses, updates, and support.
  • Operate, secure, and improve our website, analytics, and fraud prevention.
  • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.

Legal bases (for visitors in the EEA/UK):

  • Contract (to provide the services you request),
  • Legitimate interests (site security, anti-fraud, product improvement),
  • Consent (where required, e.g., marketing emails, non-essential cookies),
  • Legal obligation (record-keeping, compliance).

Sharing of information

We share data only as necessary to run the service:

  • Agencies & public bodies: We send your request information to the agency you designate. Agency responses may be public records and could be published by the agency.
  • Vendors/Processors: Hosting, payment processors (e.g., Stripe/PayPal), email delivery, analytics, document storage, customer support, and anti-fraud tools—each bound by contracts to process data on our instructions.
  • Attorneys/representatives: If you ask us to coordinate with counsel on a request.
  • Legal & safety: If required by law, subpoena, court order, or to protect rights, safety, and security.
  • Business transfers: If we undergo a merger, acquisition, or asset sale.

We do not sell personal information. We do not publish your private account details.

Cookies & analytics

We use cookies and similar technologies for essential site functions, remembering logins, shopping cart, membership sessions, and analytics.

Examples:

  • Essential WordPress cookies (session, login, comment preference).
  • Commerce/membership cookies for cart, checkout, and renewal flows.
  • Analytics cookies to understand site usage (page views, referrers).

You can control cookies via your browser settings. Blocking essential cookies may break site functionality (logins, checkout).

Payment processing

Payments are handled by third-party processors. We receive confirmation of payment status and limited billing metadata but do not store or see your full card number. Please review your processor’s privacy policy (e.g., Stripe or PayPal) for details.

Data retention

  • Account data: kept while your account is active and for up to 7 years afterward for tax, accounting, and legal purposes.
  • FOIA request records: retained for your account history and legal compliance; if you want us to delete drafts or private notes, contact us (we may retain minimal logs where legally required).
  • Support messages: typically 2 years from last interaction.
  • Analytics logs: typically 14–26 months depending on the tool.
    We may anonymize or aggregate data for long-term analytics.

Your choices & rights

All users

  • Access/Update: View and edit your profile details in your account dashboard.
  • Email preferences: Unsubscribe from non-essential emails using the link in the message.
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your account data (we will remove what we can and keep only what the law requires).
  • Do not include sensitive identifiers in request drafts unless an agency requires them.

California (CPRA)

California residents may request:

  • Know/Access, Correct, Delete certain personal information.
  • Opt-out of “sale” or “sharing”: We do not sell data; we only share with processors for service provision.
    Submit a request at rjlarkey@gmail.com. We will verify your request.

EEA/UK (GDPR)

You may have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict, port, or object to processing, and to withdraw consent where applicable. Contact us at rjlarkey@gmail.com. You may also complain to your local Data Protection Authority.

Children’s privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 13 (or the relevant age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child provided personal data, contact us to remove it.

Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards (TLS encryption, access controls, least-privilege, monitoring). No system is 100% secure; please use a strong, unique password.

Public transparency & publication

Many agency responses to FOIA/public-records requests are public records. We do not publish your private account details. If you choose to post comments, reviews, or public forum content, that content may be visible to others.

International transfers

If you access the site from outside the United States, your data may be processed in the U.S. and other countries where our vendors operate, which may have different data-protection laws.

Third-party links

Our site may link to third-party websites. Their privacy practices are their own; we recommend reviewing their policies.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy to reflect operational, legal, or regulatory changes. We will post the updated date at the top and, for material changes, provide additional notice.

How to contact us

  • Privacy requests & questions: rjlarkey@gmail.com
  • Mail: Public Accountability Group LLC, 1267 AVENUE A #79 Springfield, Michigan, 49037 United States