Last Updated: April 1, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Recognized.fm (“we,” “our,” or “us”). Recognized.fm is a centralized database and media platform covering podcast awards, recognition programs, and the broader awards ecosystem. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you visit recognized.fm and use our directory, database, and editorial services (collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Services.

Recognized.fm is operated independently. Our editorial coverage, including the “Recognized” editorial badge, is separate from and editorially independent of any consulting or advisory services offered by affiliated entities.

2. Information We Collect

2a. Information You Provide Directly

• Account registration: Name, email address, username, and password when you create a Recognized.fm account.
• Listing submissions: Podcast name, show description, podcast categories, RSS or website URLs, award history, and any other information submitted when you add or claim a listing in our database.
• Membership and payment information: Billing name, address, and payment card details, processed through our third-party payment processor, Stripe. We do not store full payment card numbers on our servers.
• Communications: Messages, inquiries, editorial comments, or feedback you send to us, including responses to media or editorial outreach.
• Newsletter and Substack subscriptions: Email address and any content preferences you provide when subscribing to Recognized.fm editorial updates.

2b. Information Collected Automatically

• Usage data: Pages visited, time spent, links clicked, database search queries entered, and referral sources.
• Device and browser data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, screen resolution, and device identifiers.
• Cookies and similar technologies: Session cookies, persistent cookies, and local storage used to maintain your login session, remember preferences, and analyze site usage. See Section 7 for more detail.
• Log data: Server logs that record requests made to our site, including timestamps and error data.

2c. Information from Third Parties

• OAuth and social login: If you connect a third-party account (such as Google) to register or log in, we receive basic profile information such as your name and email address, as permitted by that platform.
• Publicly available podcast data: To maintain the accuracy of our awards database, we may supplement submitted listing information with publicly available data, including information from podcast directories, award organization websites, and public announcements.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account and authenticate your identity.
• Process membership payments and fulfill listing subscription orders (Standard, Sponsored, and Partner tiers).
• Publish and maintain podcast and award listings you submit or claim.
• Administer and display the editorial “Recognized” badge, which is awarded independently and cannot be purchased.
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.
• Send transactional emails, including account confirmations, payment receipts, and listing update notifications.
• Send Recognized.fm editorial newsletters and updates where you have opted in.
• Analyze usage patterns to improve database performance, search quality, and user experience.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity.
• Comply with applicable legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (EEA, UK, and Other Jurisdictions)

Where applicable law requires a legal basis for processing personal data, we rely on the following:

• Contract: Processing necessary to fulfill our agreement with you, such as maintaining your account and delivering paid listing services.
• Legitimate interests: Improving our Services, ensuring database accuracy, preventing fraud, and communicating relevant editorial updates, where these interests are not overridden by your rights.
• Consent: Where you have provided explicit consent, such as subscribing to our newsletter or marketing communications.
• Legal obligation: Where processing is required to comply with applicable law.

5. How We Share Your Information

We share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: We engage trusted third-party vendors who process data on our behalf, including Stripe for payment processing, email delivery providers, analytics platforms, and our hosting provider. These providers are contractually required to protect your data and may only use it for the services they perform for us.
• Publicly visible listings: Information submitted as part of a podcast or award listing, including show name, description, website, award history, and category, is published on recognized.fm and may be indexed by search engines. Do not include sensitive personal information in listing fields intended for public display.
• Editorial coverage: If you respond to editorial outreach from Recognized.fm, the terms of your response (on-record, off-record, or on-background) govern how your name and comments may appear in published coverage. These terms are established at the time of outreach.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, prevent fraud, or respond to an emergency.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will provide notice before your personal information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

6. Editorial Independence and the “Recognized” Badge

The Recognized.fm editorial badge is awarded based on independent editorial assessment. It is not available for purchase and is not connected to any paid listing tier. Data submitted in connection with a listing does not influence editorial decisions.

Editorial sourcing, including information shared with Recognized.fm reporters on an off-record or on-background basis, is handled according to standard journalistic practice and is not cross-referenced with or disclosed alongside account or listing data.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, including:

• Account data is retained for the life of your account and for a reasonable period after account closure to resolve disputes or comply with legal obligations.
• Listing and database records may be retained after a listing is delisted or removed from public display to preserve the historical integrity of the Recognized.fm awards database.
• Payment records are retained as required by applicable tax and financial regulations.

You may request deletion of your personal data at any time (see Section 9).

8. Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate and improve our Services. The types we use include:

• Strictly necessary cookies: Required for the site to function, including session management and login state.
• Preference cookies: Remember settings and customizations you have chosen.
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with the site, including which database searches are most common and how users navigate listings. We use this data in aggregate, not to identify individuals.
• Marketing cookies: Used only where you have consented, to track interactions with any promotional content.

You may control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality. A cookie preference option is available in the site footer.

9. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls, and regular security reviews of our platform and database infrastructure.

No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we work to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information associated with your account or listing.
• Delete your personal data, subject to our legal and operational obligations, including our interest in maintaining the historical accuracy of our awards database.
• Object to or restrict certain types of processing.
• Data portability: Receive a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Withdraw consent at any time for processing based on consent, including unsubscribing from editorial newsletters, without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.
• Opt out of marketing communications by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send, or by contacting us directly.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address in Section 13.

11. Third-Party Links

Recognized.fm listings and editorial coverage may contain links to external websites, including award organization sites, podcast directories, and media outlets. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

12. Children’s Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us at:

Recognized.fm Email: media@recognized.fm Website: recognized.fm

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify registered members by email. Your continued use of the Services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

This policy is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend consulting a qualified attorney to ensure your privacy policy meets all requirements applicable to your specific jurisdiction and business operations.