Privacy & collection notice

Effective November 9, 2026

This notice describes the current ShotMatch research site. ShotMatch is a firearm and gear comparison service. It does not sell or transfer firearms through this site.

What we collect and why

• Name, email and permission records: when you unlock results or sign up for Field Notes, we store your first and last name when requested, email, submission time, signup source, newsletter preference and the notice version shown. We use these to provide access, manage requested communications and maintain permission records. Results-gate details are also retained for internal lead notifications to the ShotMatch operator.
• Selections: questionnaire answers stay in this browser’s local storage. The current results engine uses them on your device. The newsletter form does not upload your answers, budget, intended game or family-user selection.
• Essential access storage: a results-access cookie and a session token keep results available. A local unsubscribe token supports withdrawing newsletter permission. Your cookie choice is stored locally.
• Technical logs: our hosting provider processes network information, such as IP address, browser, request time and requested route, for delivering and protecting the site.
• Optional analytics: if Google Analytics is configured and you allow it, Google receives limited site-use events, page paths and technical/device data. We do not send email addresses, questionnaire answers, exact budgets or intended-game choices to Analytics. Advertising features are disabled in the site integration.
• Privacy requests: if you use the request form below, we store your email, request type, message, reference number and submission time to verify and handle it.

Sharing and selling

We use hosting/storage providers to operate the site and an email delivery provider when configured to send internal signup notifications and Google only for optional analytics when enabled and allowed. We do not currently sell personal information, use advertising pixels or share emails with other companies for their own marketing. A future change would require an updated notice and any legally required choices. Retailer links take you to independent websites with their own policies. No affiliate tracking or paid placement is currently implemented.

Your choices

Results access does not require newsletter permission. Withdraw newsletter permission using the on-screen unsubscribe control or the unsubscribe link included with an email. Where available, privacy law may give you rights to access, correct, delete or obtain a copy of information, and to opt out of sale, sharing or targeted advertising. Use the form below or email Contact us to make a request. We may need to verify your identity, and some records may be retained when required or permitted by law. We do not discriminate for exercising applicable privacy rights.

Use Cookie choices to allow or withdraw optional analytics. Analytics is blocked until consent, and the integration treats Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track as instructions to keep it off. Essential access storage remains necessary. Clear browser storage or use “Start over” to clear questionnaire selections.

Retention and security

Signup and request records remain until they are deleted following a verified request or are no longer needed to provide the service, maintain communication preferences or meet legal obligations. Suppression records may be retained to honor an unsubscribe. The site does not currently run an automatic fixed-period deletion schedule. Hosting providers control their own operational log retention. We use access controls and HTTPS; no system is guaranteed secure.

Audience and service location

This service is designed for adults selecting equipment, including adults considering equipment for supervised family use. It is not directed to children under 13. Do not submit children’s names, email addresses or other personal information. The service is operated for a U.S. audience; providers may process data in other countries.

Changes

We will revise this notice when actual practices change. The effective date identifies the current version. Review it before providing information.

Contact messages and outfit emails

Contact messages are stored to answer questions, investigate corrections and handle accessibility reports. Requested outfit emails use the address supplied at the results gate; they do not grant newsletter permission. The email service provider processes the address and selected outfit only when sending is activated.