CriticBridge Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how CriticBridge LLC ("CriticBridge," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you visit criticbridge.com or use the CriticBridge platform, which connects independent filmmakers with professional film critics.
If you have questions about this policy, email us at support@criticbridge.com.
We collect information you give us, information created when you use CriticBridge, and limited information from the companies we work with.
- Account information: your name, email address, password (stored only in hashed form), account type (filmmaker or critic), and security settings such as two-step verification.
- Critic application and profile information: the outlets you write for, links to your published work, your bio and photo, and other details you submit so we can review your application and show your public profile to filmmakers.
- Film and listing information: titles, descriptions, posters, stills, trailers, screener links and passwords, release details, and the content of film pages you create.
- Payment information: payments are processed by Stripe. We receive confirmation of each payment and details such as the amount and date, but we never receive or store full card numbers.
- Payout information: critics give us payout details, such as a PayPal email address, Venmo or Zelle handle, legal name, mailing address, and phone number, so we can pay them.
- Mobile number and text message consent: if you sign up for text alerts, your mobile number, the date and time you agreed to receive texts, and the consent wording you agreed to.
- Messages and support requests: emails and support requests you send us, messages exchanged on the platform (such as questions about a film or interview scheduling), and whether our emails to you were delivered.
- Usage and device information: your IP address, approximate location (country), browser and device type, the pages you visit, and the actions you take.
- Film page visitor statistics: when someone visits a filmmaker's public film page, we record visit and click statistics, such as country, device type, referring website, and campaign tags, and show them to that filmmaker.
2. Cookies and Similar Technologies
- We use a cookie to keep you signed in, and your browser's local storage to remember settings such as which notices you've already seen.
- Our website uses Google Tag Manager and Google Ads tags to measure visits and the performance of our advertising. Google may set its own cookies and handles that data under its own privacy policy.
- Filmmakers can add their own analytics or advertising tags (for example from Google, Meta, or TikTok) to their public film pages. Those companies collect information under their own privacy policies.
- You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. If you block the sign-in cookie, you won't be able to sign in.
- To run the marketplace: create and manage accounts, review critic applications, publish listings, let critics claim films, share screeners, process payments, and pay critics.
- To send service emails, such as receipts, claim and review updates, security codes, new film alerts (critics can turn these off in Settings), and occasional updates about CriticBridge.
- To send text alerts, only to critics who sign up for them (see Text Message Alerts below).
- To provide support and respond to your requests.
- To keep CriticBridge safe: prevent fraud, spam, and abuse, enforce our Terms, and block accounts, email addresses, or IP addresses tied to abuse.
- To measure and improve CriticBridge and our advertising.
- To meet legal, tax, and accounting obligations.
We do not sell or share your SMS opt-in data or personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
We share information only in these situations:
- With other users, as the service requires. Filmmakers see critics' public profiles, critics see film listings and the screener details for films they claim, and film pages and published reviews are public. We don't give filmmakers critics' payout details or contact information.
- With service providers that help us run CriticBridge, including Stripe (payments), Resend (email delivery), Twilio (text messages), Google (website analytics and advertising measurement), and our hosting and storage providers. They may use the information only to provide their services to us.
- With payout services, such as PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, when we send a critic's payment.
- For legal and safety reasons, when required by law or legal process, or when needed to protect the rights, safety, and property of CriticBridge, our users, or others, including to investigate fraud.
- In a business transfer, such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case this policy continues to apply to your information.
5. Text Message (SMS) Alerts
Approved critics can choose to receive text alerts from CriticBridge when a new film they can claim is listed and when a review slot opens on a film they joined the waitlist for. To sign up, a critic enters a mobile number in their account settings, checks a consent box, and confirms the number with a one-time code.
We use your mobile number only to send these alerts, the verification code, and a one-time sign-up confirmation. Signing up is optional and isn't required to use CriticBridge.
Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to any text to opt out, or HELP for help. You can also turn texts off or remove your number in Settings.
Mobile numbers and text message consent are never sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. The only outside company that receives your mobile number is our text message provider, which uses it solely to deliver our messages.
For the full program terms, see the SMS Terms in our Terms & Conditions.
6. How Long We Keep Information
We keep your information for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide CriticBridge.
When you delete your account, we delete your account and profile information. We may keep some records when we need them for legal, tax, accounting, or fraud-prevention reasons, such as payment records and information tied to accounts suspended for abuse. Listings that critics have already claimed may stay on the platform, no longer linked to you, so critics can finish their work.
If you remove your mobile number in Settings, we delete it and your text consent record from your account.
7. How We Protect Information
We use safeguards such as encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords, optional two-step verification, and limited staff access. No method of sending or storing information is completely secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Choices
- Update your account and profile information in Settings.
- Turn new film email alerts on or off, or mute activity emails, in Settings. We'll still send emails needed to run your account, such as receipts and security codes.
- Stop text alerts by replying STOP to any text, or turn them off in Settings.
- Delete your account in Settings.
- Ask for a copy of your information, or ask us to correct or delete it, by emailing support@criticbridge.com. Depending on where you live, you may have other rights under local law, and we'll honor them as required.
9. Children's Privacy
CriticBridge is a professional service for adults. It isn't directed to children, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we'll delete it.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We'll post the new version on this page with a new "Last updated" date, and we'll notify users of material changes by email.
For questions or requests about this Privacy Policy or your information, email support@criticbridge.com.