Houghton Lake Living – Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 20, 2026

Welcome to Houghton Lake Living. This Privacy Policy explains how Houghton Lake Living (“Houghton Lake Living,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use our free community mobile application serving residents, visitors, businesses, nonprofits, clubs, and organizations in the Houghton Lake, Michigan area (the “App”), and when you submit information through registrations, directory forms, event submissions, and communications.

1. Information We Collect

Information you provide. We collect information you choose to submit, which may include:

  • Registration form and administrative account information (for example: name, email address, phone number if provided, and other details you enter in your profile).
  • Business, nonprofit, club, or organization directory submissions (for example: listing name, description, category, address or service area, hours, website or social links, and any photos or other content you submit).
  • Event submissions (for example: event title, description, date/time, location, organizer name, contact information, links, and images).
  • Communications (for example: messages you send to us, requests for support, and information you include when contacting us).

Account Information. The current public mobile application does not require registration or sign-in to use general features. Authentication may be used for restricted administrative functions. Information that you submit through separate registration forms may be processed through GoHighLevel.

Information that may be visible to others. Some information you submit is intended to be shared within the App (for example, directory listings and event details). If you submit content for public display, it may be visible to App users.

Automatic and Technical Information. When you access Houghton Lake Living, our hosting and technology providers may receive technical information associated with network requests, such as IP addresses and connection information. Our current mobile application does not request your device's GPS location, collect advertising identifiers, or register push-notification tokens.

The website version uses Blink's page-view analytics, which may process page paths, referring pages, and campaign parameters. The website's analytics implementation respects supported Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control signals.

Images displayed in the directory may be retrieved from third-party image providers, which may receive technical information associated with those requests.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide and operate the App and its community features.
  • Create and manage accounts and respond to user requests.
  • Review, post, update, and administer directory listings and event submissions.
  • Communicate with you about your account, submissions, and support requests.
  • Send optional SMS communications if you opt in (see “3. Text Messaging and SMS Consent”).
  • Maintain safety and integrity (for example, preventing spam, abuse, or fraudulent submissions).
  • We may use information about website visits, submitted feedback, and service performance to maintain and improve Houghton Lake Living. The current native mobile application does not contain a dedicated analytics or crash-reporting integration. Website analytics and certain development-preview diagnostics may be processed through Blink.

3. Text Messaging and SMS Consent

Houghton Lake Living may offer optional text message (SMS) communications separately through GoHighLevel. SMS consent is not required to use the App. We do not represent that SMS messaging is currently implemented inside the mobile application.

Operational SMS (optional). If you opt in to operational SMS, we may send messages related to operating the App and responding to your requests, such as:

  • Account-related messages;
  • Support responses;
  • Questions or updates regarding a directory listing or event submission you submitted;
  • Service notices.

Consent: You will only receive operational SMS if you provide your phone number and give consent through an opt-in method (for example, an in-app prompt or a form checkbox).
Message frequency: Varies based on your activity and requests.
Carrier charges: Message and data rates may apply.
Opt out: Reply STOP to stop receiving operational SMS.
Help: Reply HELP for help.

Promotional SMS (optional). If you opt in to promotional SMS, we may send messages about community updates, App announcements, featured events, or other promotional messages related to Houghton Lake Living.

Consent: Promotional SMS requires your explicit opt-in consent.
Message frequency: Varies.
Carrier charges: Message and data rates may apply.
Opt out: Reply STOP to stop receiving promotional SMS.
Help: Reply HELP for help.

Important: Promotional SMS consent is not required to request or receive a free listing in the directory.

4. Information Sharing and Service Providers

We do not sell personal information to advertisers.

We may share information in the following circumstances:

Public display in the App. If you submit a business/organization listing or event for publication, we may display the submitted details within the App to other users.

Service providers and technology partners. We may share information with service providers that help us run the App and communicate with users. This may include:

  • GoHighLevel: We use GoHighLevel as a CRM and communications service provider to manage contact information and communications.
  • Application hosting and infrastructure providers: We use hosting, storage, and other technology providers necessary to operate the App.
  • Technology and communications providers. Houghton Lake Living uses Blink for application development and infrastructure, and GoHighLevel for separately operated registration forms, contact management, and communications. Directory images may be delivered through third-party image services. Additional infrastructure or delivery providers may process information as necessary to operate these services.

These providers are permitted to process information only as needed to provide services to us and for the purposes described in this Policy.

Legal, compliance, and safety. We may disclose information if we believe disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, respond to lawful requests, or protect the rights, safety, and security of Houghton Lake Living, our users, or others.

Business transfers. If Houghton Lake Living undergoes a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or transfer of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable privacy laws and appropriate safeguards.

5. Data Security and Retention

Security. We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Retention. We retain information only for as long as is reasonably necessary for operating the service, meeting applicable legal obligations, resolving disputes, and maintaining security.

6. Your Privacy Choices and Rights

You may have choices about your information, including:

  • Updating your information: You may update certain information through the App (if available) or by contacting us.
  • Listings and event updates/removal: If you want to update or remove a business/organization listing or event you submitted, contact us at:
    [email protected]
  • SMS choices: If you opted in to SMS, you can opt out at any time by replying STOP. You can reply HELP for help.
  • Access, correction, or deletion requests: You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information by emailing [email protected], subject to applicable law. We do not currently provide an automated account-deletion feature inside the mobile application.

7. Children’s Privacy

The App is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information to us, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make changes, we will update the Effective Date above and may provide additional notice in the App or by other appropriate means.

9. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, contact:

Houghton Lake Living
Email: [email protected]