Local Government AccountabilityLOCAL GOVERNMENTACCOUNTABILITY

Legal

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 21, 2026

Local Government Accountability (LGAI) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit that investigates how local governments across the country manage public money. LGAI runs investigations in multiple jurisdictions around the country — some active, some in progress.

Local Government Accountability (“LGAI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy of the citizens, tipsters, supporters, and visitors (“you”) who use our website at localgovtinstitute.org (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Site, you consent to the practices described here.

Local Government Accountability funds its own administration, overhead, and all of its projects. LGAI does not accept money from candidates, political parties, advertisers, or government contracts. As a 501(c)(4) social-welfare organization, contributions to LGAI are not tax-deductible. To support the LGAI’s work, use the support option on our contact form.

LGAI begins every project without political assumptions. We follow the facts wherever they lead. When the public record reveals patterns of poor financial stewardship or conflicts of interest, we report those findings clearly. While we never endorse candidates or engage in campaign activity, our findings can implicitly reflect on the performance of incumbents and the platforms of challengers. We are not a Super PAC and do not tell citizens how to vote.

1. Information We Collect

a. Information you provide. When you contact us, submit a tip, ask a question, request information, or sign up for updates, we may collect your name, email address, postal address, telephone number, and the contents of your message — along with any other information you choose to provide.

b. Text messaging and calling opt-in data. If you provide a telephone number and consent to receive calls or text messages from us, we collect your phone number and the related data needed to deliver those communications and to maintain a record of your consent.

c. Email opt-in data. If you opt in to our newsletters and research reports, we collect your email address and your subscription preferences.

d. Information collected automatically. When you visit the Site, we may automatically collect limited technical information about your device, browser, and usage — such as IP address, pages viewed, referring URL, and similar analytics data. We use first-party and third-party cookies, local storage, and comparable technologies for essential site operation, security, and aggregated traffic analysis. We do not use cookies to sell or share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. See Section 7 for details on cookies and analytics.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to respond to your inquiries, tips, and correction requests and route them to the appropriate LGAI staff; to send you updates, newsletters, research reports, and other communications you have requested; to operate, maintain, analyze, and improve the Site and our research; and to comply with the law and protect our rights. We use telephone and text-messaging opt-in data only to communicate with you about the LGAI’s work, as described below.

3. Text Messaging (SMS) Program

If you provide your telephone number and opt in, you may receive calls and text messages from LGAI. By providing your telephone number, you consent to receive calls and text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Messaging may include requests for donation. Reply STOP to opt out at any time, and reply HELP for help.

Your opt-in is never shared. Text messaging opt-in data, consent and related collected personal information will not be shared with or sold to any third parties, unless required by law.

No sharing of mobile information for marketing. Mobile information — including your telephone number and SMS consent — will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. We may share mobile information only with the vendors that help us operate the messaging program (for example, our text-messaging platform provider), solely so that they can deliver the service on our behalf, and only as permitted or required by law.

You can stop receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP. You may continue to receive a single confirmation message acknowledging your opt-out.

TCPA consent and recordkeeping. When you provide a telephone number and opt in to calls or text messages, we maintain a record of your consent — including the date, time, method of consent (for example, checkbox on our contact form), and the disclosure text presented at the time of opt-in — for as long as required by applicable law and our data-retention schedule. We contact you by phone or text only when you have provided prior express written consent, except where a narrower exception applies under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and related FCC rules.

Universal revocation of consent. We honor TCPA opt-out requests across all channels within ten (10) business days. If you revoke consent by replying STOP to a text message, using an unsubscribe link in email, or contacting us through the contact form, that revocation applies universally to calls and texts from LGAI on the number or address you specify, consistent with FCC rules effective April 2025. We do not require a separate opt-out for each message type or campaign.

4. Email Communications

If you opt in to email updates, you may unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email or by contacting us. We never sell or share your email address, and we use it only to send the communications you requested and to operate our email program through our email service providers.

5. Sharing of Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not share it with candidates, campaigns, political parties, or government. We may disclose information only: (a) to service providers who perform functions on our behalf (such as hosting, analytics, email, and text-messaging vendors) and who are bound to protect it; (b) when required by law, subpoena, or court order; or (c) to protect the rights, safety, or property of LGAI or others. Text-messaging opt-in data is treated as described in Section 3.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer period is required or permitted by law. The following schedule applies unless you request earlier deletion and we are not required to retain the data:

  • Contact and tip submissions: retained for seven (7) years from the date of submission, or until the related inquiry is fully resolved and no further follow-up is anticipated, whichever is longer.
  • SMS/call consent records: retained for four (4) years after your last message or call from LGAI, or four (4) years after you opt out, whichever is later, to document TCPA compliance.
  • Email subscribers: retained until you unsubscribe, plus up to ninety (90) days to process your opt-out and suppress future sends.
  • Survey responses: retained for the life of the research project plus three (3) years for verification and methodology audit.
  • Server and security logs: retained for up to twelve (12) months.
  • Analytics data: aggregated and de-identified where possible; raw analytics retained for up to twenty-six (26) months.

When retention periods expire, we delete or de-identify data using reasonable technical measures. Backup copies may persist for a limited additional period before automatic purge.

7. Cookies & Analytics

The Site uses cookies and similar technologies to keep the site secure, remember basic preferences, measure traffic, and understand how visitors use our research pages. Essential cookies are required for core functionality; analytics cookies help us improve the Site and are used only in aggregated form where possible.

We may use privacy-respecting analytics services (such as Vercel Analytics or comparable tools) that do not sell your personal information. You can limit tracking through your browser settings — blocking cookies may affect some site features. We do not operate a separate cookie-consent banner because we do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies; if that changes, we will update this policy and provide appropriate notice and choice mechanisms before deploying non-essential tracking cookies.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable, industry-standard measures to protect your information. No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Third-Party Links

The Site may link to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content, and we encourage you to review their policies when visiting them.

10. Children’s Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information without parental consent, we will delete it.

11. Your Choices

Text messages: reply STOP to opt out at any time, or HELP for help. Email: use the unsubscribe link in any email, or contact us. Access, correction, or deletion: contact us to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, subject to applicable law. California residents have additional rights described in Section 12.

12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), provides you with specific rights regarding your personal information.

We do not sell or share your personal information. LGAI does not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We do not sell or share SMS opt-in data, mobile numbers, or email addresses for marketing purposes.

Your rights. Subject to certain exceptions, California residents may request: (a) to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected; (b) deletion of personal information we hold about you; (c) correction of inaccurate personal information; and (d) information about how we use and disclose personal information. We will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.

How to exercise your rights. Submit a verifiable request through our contact form (select “Other” and note “California privacy request”) or by mail to the address in Section 14. We will respond within forty-five (45) days, or inform you if an extension is required. You may designate an authorized agent to submit a request on your behalf with written permission.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes are effective when the revised policy is posted on the Site, and we encourage you to review this page periodically for the latest information on our privacy practices.

14. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices? All correspondence is received through our contact form at /contact, and by mail: Local Government Accountability, 1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700 PMB 5459, Washington, DC 20036. Phone: 202-349-3720 (main).