Privacy & Data Retention
Plain English, no dark patterns. Here's exactly what I collect, why, how long I keep it, and how to get it deleted.
What I collect
When you use the "Quick Question" or "Pre-Register" form, I collect only what the form asks for:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone number (optional)
- Branch and era of service (optional)
- What you need help with (optional)
- The message you choose to send
For abuse prevention only, the server also records the IP address and browser user-agent string of your submission.
What I do not collect: Social Security numbers, VA file numbers, claim numbers, medical records, rating percentages, C&P results, VA.gov credentials, or any other claim-specific identifiers. I do not need that information to help you as a peer, and I deliberately have no place to store it.
Why I collect it
Two reasons, both limited:
- To reply to your question.
- If you pre-registered, to contact you once I'm listed on the OGC accreditation roster.
That's it. No marketing campaigns, no analytics tracking.
Who sees it
Only me. Your info isn't shared, sold, or given to any third party. The site runs on hardware I control, behind an encrypted connection (HTTPS), on a private network.
How long I keep it
Your submission is retained until one of the following happens:
- You ask me to delete it (see below) — I do so within 7 days of your request.
- I contact you after accreditation and you decline to move forward — I delete your record within 30 days.
- Twenty-four months pass with no contact from you and no accreditation outcome — I purge stale records as a matter of hygiene.
Once I am formally accredited and you become a client, a different retention standard applies under 38 CFR §14.632 (standards of conduct for accredited representatives). Client-file retention is governed by that rule, not this page.
How to request deletion or see what I have
Email me directly at rwykoff@clearipsolutions.com with the subject line "Privacy request." Tell me whether you want a copy of what I have on file, deletion, or both. I will confirm in writing within 7 days.
Security posture
- HTTPS only; HTTP requests are redirected.
- Database stored on an encrypted volume, accessible only to me as the server operator.
- No third-party JavaScript, no ad networks, no analytics beacons, no social widgets.
- No passwords are stored — this site has no user accounts.
Changes to this page
If I change how data is handled, I will update this page and note the date below. Material changes (a new use of your data, a new party seeing it) will also trigger an email to anyone currently on the pre-registration list.
Last updated: 2026-04-21.