Why We Don’t Track You: Data Privacy for LGBTQ+ Safety
At Shane, we believe that safety is more than just a setting, it’s a promise. And for LGBTQ+ people, especially those still figuring things out or living in unsafe environments, privacy is safety.
That’s why we’ve made a clear and intentional decision:
We don’t track you.
No creepy cookies. No hidden analytics. No selling your data to advertisers.
You’re not a product here, you’re a person. And you deserve to explore who you are without being watched.
Being LGBTQ+ Online Shouldn’t Be Dangerous
Let’s be real: the internet hasn’t always been kind to queer people.
Whether you’re out and proud or just quietly questioning, the risk of being tracked, outed, or misinterpreted online is real, and it can come with serious consequences.
We built Shane for the exact opposite experience: a place where you can explore your identity and connect with others, without fear that someone’s logging your every move.
What We Do Know About You (and What We Don’t)
We ask for a few things when you sign up, like your phone number (for verification), and some basic profile info that you control. But we’ve designed Shane to know as little about you as possible beyond what you choose to share.
Here’s how that works:
Usernames are auto-generated. They’re like screen names - random, anonymous, and totally disconnected from your real-life identity.
Profiles are yours to shape. We don’t infer anything about you. You tell us what you want us (and others) to know.
Your ratings and reviews are tied to your profile, so your contributions are visible in context - but still not personally identifiable unless you make them so.
And when it comes to making sure everyone on the platform is real (and not spam or bots):
We use phone number verification with two-factor authentication (2FA) to confirm that each user is a real human.
Your number is encrypted in transit and at rest, and access to it is tightly restricted to a small, need-to-know part of our team.
We don’t use your number to message you or market to you. It’s just a layer of safety, for everyone’s benefit.
Your Emergency Contacts: Private, Respectful, Secure
Shane gives you the option to add trusted contacts for support in case of an emergency: someone you know, someone who has your back. Here’s how we handle that:
You choose who your emergency contacts are.
Those contacts are encrypted at rest and in transit, just like your other sensitive data.
We never message them without their permission. When you add someone, they get a request to opt in; nothing is shared until they say yes.
If they agree, they’ll be given access to limited, time-sensitive safe links to view your check-in status or location only in emergencies.
And if someone changes their mind? They can opt out at any time.
We believe in consent and transparency, for everyone involved.
What We Don’t Do
We don’t use tracking pixels.
We don’t store cookies to follow you around the internet.
We don’t run ads based on your activity.
We don’t sell or share your data. Period.
We may collect anonymous usage stats to improve the platform (like which features are most helpful), but we never connect that information back to your profile in a way that identifies you..
Why This Matters
For many LGBTQ+ people, being "seen" by the wrong person - online or offline - can have real-world consequences. Our priority is making sure you feel seen and supported, on your terms, without risking your privacy or safety.
Your identity, your data, your circle of trust, and your journey are yours alone.
Final Word: Digital Consent Is Queer Safety
Most platforms make money by knowing everything about you. We’re not one of them.
Shane exists to support LGBTQ+ well-being, not to exploit it.
When we say you’re safe here, we mean it, and that starts with protecting your data like we’d protect our own.
Thanks for trusting us. We’ll keep earning it.
Want to support digital safety and LGBTQ+ joy?
Share Shane with someone who needs it, or learn more about our values.