Your account is created right away, but login stays locked until 2 existing members refer your @username (Settings → Refer a new member, on their end). Share your @username once you've picked it below.
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Who this is for. 4SHTF's members area is open to people 18 and older. By creating an account you're confirming you meet that.
How you're expected to act. Post like you'd talk to a neighbor. Reports on other members' posts get sorted into three tiers: illegal, unethical, or offensive. An admin reviews and acts on them. Illegal content (anything that breaks the law) gets removed outright. A pattern of unethical or offensive conduct can get an account locked (members-area access frozen, no explanation owed beyond that) or suspended (login blocked entirely) at admin discretion.
What you own. You own what you post: text, images, everything. Creating a post or page grants 4SHTF a license to display it on the site in the places you chose to post it (a group, everyone, your network, etc.). That license ends when you delete the post or your account; it was never ours to keep or reuse elsewhere.
No direct messages. There's no DM inbox on this site and there won't be one. The Secure Collaboration Handshake is the one exception: if you and another opted-in member both agree to connect, the site reveals the off-site contact info (a Signal number or email) each of you chose to share, then gets out of the way. 4SHTF never hosts or sees what happens after that.
Not professional advice. Articles and member posts about homesteading, survival, prepping, first aid, and similar topics are shared for general education and discussion. None of it is medical, legal, or professional advice, and 4SHTF isn't responsible for how you use it. When it matters, talk to an actual professional.
Moderation. Admins can remove content, lock, suspend, or terminate accounts that violate these terms, at their discretion. You can delete your own account and content anytime by contacting contact@jakeconrad.me.
Changes. These terms may be updated as the site grows; material changes will be posted here with an updated date.
Site design, branding, and article content published under the 4SHTF byline are © 4SHTF, all rights reserved.
Content posted by members (posts, comments, pages, images) is owned by the member who posted it. Posting it here grants 4SHTF a license to display it on the site (see Terms); it doesn't transfer ownership.
If you believe something on this site infringes your copyright, email contact@jakeconrad.me with a description of the work, its location on the site, and your contact info, and it'll be reviewed and addressed.
What's collected. Your name, username, email, and password (stored as a one-way hash, never in plain text) when you sign up. Whatever you add to your profile: bio, gear and skills tags, general region, theme, avatar, and cover image, all optional. Whatever you post: text, images, comments, group memberships, follows. If you opt into the Regional Grid, your Signal number or off-site email, encrypted at rest and only decrypted for the specific person you accept a collaboration request from.
What's collected automatically. Login timestamps and IP address, used only for account security (login throttling, catching suspicious activity) and never sold or shared. A session cookie to keep you logged in, and an optional "remember this device" cookie so you're not asked for a 2FA code every time. No ad-tracking cookies, no third-party analytics scripts, no pixel trackers.
What it's used for. Running the site: showing you the feed, sending the emails you'd expect (2FA codes, password resets, notifications you've opted into), and keeping accounts secure. Nothing here is used for advertising, and nothing is sold or rented to anyone.
Who sees it. Other members see whatever you choose to post and whichever audience you chose for it (a group, @everyone, your @network). Site admins and moderators can see reported content and account details as needed to run the site (see Terms). The only outside party involved at all is the email provider that sends messages on the site's behalf, and it only ever sees an email address and message content, never your password.
How long it's kept. As long as your account exists. Deleting your account removes your profile and personal info; posts and comments are removed too, per the license terms in the Terms of Service. To delete your account, email contact@jakeconrad.me.
Kids. This site is 18 and older only (see Terms). It's not directed at children and doesn't knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.
Changes. If this policy changes in a way that matters, it'll be posted here with an updated date. Questions anytime: contact@jakeconrad.me.