Visitor data
OUTLET does not add advertising trackers, profiling tools or third-party analytics scripts. The website host may process essential technical request data to serve the site and protect its infrastructure.
Real names, pen names and anonymity
People may propose writing, submit texts, or express interest in joining the running collective using their real name, a pseudonym, or no public name at all. No explanation for that preference is needed. A byline such as “Anonymous” does not require a public identity disclosure. We may still need to discuss claims or establish secure contact before accepting a piece or granting administrative access; this does not mean real names must be published.
We cannot guarantee technical anonymity. Our website host may process request metadata including IP addresses. Externally hosted images can disclose network information to the image provider. If you save a form draft, that file remains on your own device and may be accessible to others who use it. Avoid entering identifying information in a draft if you wish to remain unidentified; consider device and network safety for sensitive topics. Read our participation options.
Word files and identifying metadata
Word documents can contain names and email addresses in the author and last-modified fields, tracked changes, comments, headers, hidden text, revision history, embedded objects and filenames. Removing your visible byline does not remove these records. If anonymity matters, inspect the file on your device before submitting: in desktop Microsoft Word, use File → Info → Check for Issues → Inspect Document, remove personal information and review comments or tracked changes, then save a clean copy. The collective cannot promise to anonymize documents automatically. Word files received via the submission form are stored separately in a private Cloudflare R2 bucket; they are not automatically published. The service does not automatically remove personal metadata or scan files for malware. Only include information you are comfortable sharing with authorized members of the collective.
Contact, submissions and membership interest
Text messages sent through the contact, article-submission and membership forms are stored in a private Cloudflare D1 database with an EU data jurisdiction so the collective can consider requests and respond where possible. A chosen name, pseudonym, reply email, or other information you submit may be retained for this purpose. Optional Word manuscript attachments are accepted on the submissions form and are kept in private Cloudflare R2 storage in West Europe. The filename and a private storage reference are recorded with the submission in D1. Messages are not published automatically. Avoid submitting highly sensitive personal information.
Only people authorized to coordinate the relevant work should access those records. The inbox removes old message records during subsequent submissions, and manuscript storage is configured to expire files after 180 days. This is not yet a guaranteed fixed date for deletion of database messages; the collective must establish periodic retention reviews. Privacy inquiries can be sent through the contact form.
Spam and upload protection
The forms use Cloudflare Turnstile verification to deter automated abuse and a daily submission limit. Cloudflare may process technical data required for verification and hosting. We do not publish contributor identity information automatically.
Images and external services
Some photographs are loaded from Unsplash's image service. This means the image provider may receive technical request data when your browser loads those images. See our image credits for sources. We may replace remote images with locally hosted copies before launch.
Questions and access requests
Use the contact form for privacy questions, corrections, or a request concerning material you have submitted. Do not include sensitive personal information in the initial inquiry.