Privacy policy

Last updated: July 9, 2026

Only Issues ("we," "us") is operated by Lean Towards Joy, based in Winchester, Massachusetts. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. Our guiding rule is to collect as little as possible — and to keep the sensitive part, your phone number, separate from your vote.

What we collect

• When you browse: reading bills requires no account and no personal information. Our hosting provider (Google Firebase Hosting) records standard server logs — such as IP address, browser/device type, and timestamps — for security and operating the service.
• When you vote: we store your choice (support or oppose) and the time. Before you verify, that vote is tied to a random session identifier kept in your browser (see "Storage on your device" below) — not to you.
• When you verify: you provide your mobile number to Google Firebase Authentication so we can confirm you're one unique, real person. Your confirmed vote is stored under an anonymous account identifier, not your phone number. We do not store your phone number alongside your vote.
• What we don't do: we do not run advertising or third-party analytics trackers, and we do not collect your location or region.
• Aggregate usage counts: to understand overall traffic, we keep simple first-party tallies of how many times each page is viewed and which websites visitors arrive from (the site name only, such as a social network). These use no cookies, no accounts, and store no personal data, IP address, or location. They are totals only and can never be tied to you or to how you voted.

Storage on your device

To run the app — and to avoid showing you the same bill again after you've voted — we store a small amount of information in your browser's local storage: a random session identifier and a list of the bills you've voted on (with your support or oppose choice). This stays on your device, is used only for these features (never for advertising or cross-site tracking), and contains no phone number or personal information. Clearing your browser's site data removes it.

Your state (optional)

On your profile you may optionally choose your state (and, if you wish, your House district) so we can show you your senators and representative and let you filter the feed to bills that name your state. This is entirely optional — the default is "Prefer not to say." When set, it is stored privately on your account (visible only to you), is never attached to your individual votes, is never sold, and is used only for these features. We never ask for your address. You can clear it at any time from your profile.

Email alerts (optional)

You may optionally add an email address on your profile to receive alerts — new bills, new amendment votes, or status changes on bills you follow, based on preferences you choose. This is entirely optional; by default we have no email address for you. Before any alert is ever sent, you must confirm the address by clicking a link we email you — an unconfirmed address never receives anything. Alerts are sent as a batched digest (at most once a day), never sold, and never used for anything but the alerts you've turned on. You can remove your email or turn off any alert at any time from your profile. We use Resend, a transactional email provider, solely to deliver these emails — your email address is shared with Resend only for that purpose. See Resend's privacy policy.

Phone verification and Google

Phone verification is handled by Google Firebase Authentication. Your number is used only to check that you're a real person and to prevent duplicate accounts. As part of providing this service, Google may use phone numbers submitted for verification to improve spam and abuse prevention across Google services. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, which is a property of the Google Cloud / Firebase platform. See Google's privacy policy for how Google handles this data.

How we use information

• To confirm one real person per account and keep the vote count honest.
• To show verified results after you've voted.
• To operate, secure, and improve the service.

We never sell your phone number or personal information, and we never use your number to contact you — we don't send marketing or SMS to verified users.

How information is shared

We share information only with the service providers needed to run Only Issues — principally Google (Firebase Authentication, Firestore, and Hosting) and, only if you've added and confirmed an email address, Resend (solely to deliver the alert emails you've opted into) — and only as needed to provide the service. We may disclose information if required by law. We do not sell personal information.

Data retention

Votes are retained so that tallies remain accurate over time. Your anonymous verification identity is retained while your account exists. You can contact us to ask about or request deletion of data associated with your account.

Children

Only Issues is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.

Changes to this policy

If we make material changes, we'll update this page and the "last updated" date above.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Email michael@leantowardsjoy.com.