Privacy Policy
Last updated October 23, 2026
This policy explains what information Filmaker.org collects, how it is used, and the choices you have. It applies to everyone who visits the site or creates an account.
Information we collect
Account details. When you create an account we collect your username, your email address and your password. Passwords are stored only as a secure one-way hash, so nobody, including us, can read them.
Votes. We record which filmmakers you vote on, whether you voted up or down, and when. You can vote without an account. Votes are combined into the public scores. Your individual votes are not shown to other people.
Voting limits. To limit each person to one vote per filmmaker every 24 hours, we store a random ID in a cookie in your browser and record a scrambled (hashed) version of your IP address with each vote. The hashed IP address can’t be turned back into your real one. These are used only to enforce voting limits and prevent vote manipulation.
Technical information. We record the IP address used to create an account, and the IP address of failed log-in attempts, to stop spam accounts and attacks. Like most websites, our hosting provider may also keep standard server logs that include IP addresses, browser type and the pages requested.
Cookies. We use two cookies, both required for the site to work: one keeps you logged in and protects forms from misuse, and one holds the random voter ID described above. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.
How we use it
- To run your account and let you log in.
- To count your votes and calculate filmmaker scores.
- To send emails about your account, such as confirming your email address or resetting your password. We do not send marketing emails.
- To keep voting fair, by detecting fake accounts and automated voting.
- To keep the site secure and working properly.
Who we share it with
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share it only with the services needed to run the site: our hosting provider, which stores the site and its database, and our email provider, which delivers account emails. We may also disclose information if the law requires it, or to protect the safety of our users or the site.
Movie data and photos
Filmmaker photos and movie information come from The Movie Database (TMDB). Photos load directly from TMDB’s servers, so TMDB receives your IP address and browser details when you view a page, as described in TMDB’s privacy policy.
How long we keep it
We keep your account details and votes until you delete your account. Votes made without an account are kept as part of the scores. Records of failed log-in attempts are deleted after 24 hours. Password reset links expire after 1 hour, and email confirmation links after 3 days.
Your choices
From your account page you can change your email address and password, see your recent votes, download a copy of your data, and delete your account. Deleting your account permanently removes your account details and all of your votes, and the scores you voted on are recalculated without them.
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete or move your personal information, or to object to how we use it. To make a request that you can’t complete from your account page, email us at im@filmaker.org.
Children
The site is not meant for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you believe a child under 13 has created an account, contact us and we will delete it.
Security
Passwords are hashed, connections to the site are encrypted, and access to the database is restricted. No website can promise perfect security, so please use a password you don’t use anywhere else.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we will update the date at the top of this page. If the changes are significant, we will also post a notice on the site.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be sent to im@filmaker.org.