We collect basic account information and site usage data to run the platform. We do not sell your data.

Third-party services (like PayPal) may collect data through their own systems.

Effective Date: August 1, 2026

Welcome to The CaseDive ("the Site," "we," "us," or "our").

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you visit or use The CaseDive website and community platform.

By accessing or using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in several ways to operate, maintain, and improve the platform.

Information You Provide

When you create an account or participate on The CaseDive, you may choose to provide information such as:

Email address
Display name or username
Profile information (bio, profile images, header images)
Messages sent through the platform
Posts, comments, polls, and discussions
Research submissions
Case file contributions
Timeline corrections
Documents, photographs, audio, video, or other uploaded materials
Creator, family, moderator, or volunteer applications
Communications with administrators or moderators

Providing this information is voluntary, although certain features of the platform require it.

Content You Share

Information, text, images, files, links, documents, media, and other materials you contribute may be visible to other members depending on the privacy settings of the group, case file, or area where the content is shared.

Please be mindful of the information you choose to post.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit the Site, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

IP address
Browser type
Device type
Pages visited
Date and time of visits
Referring website or source
Interaction with platform features

This information helps us maintain security, improve performance, troubleshoot issues, and better understand how the platform is used.

2. How We Use Information

Information collected through The CaseDive may be used to:

Create and maintain user accounts
Operate and improve the platform
Provide messaging and communication features
Review research submissions and contributor requests
Organize and develop collaborative case files
Moderate discussions and maintain community standards
Respond to support requests
Prevent abuse, spam, fraud, or misuse
Monitor platform performance and security
Improve existing features and develop new ones

We may also use aggregated or anonymized information to better understand how the platform is used and how it can be improved.

3. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Site may use cookies or similar technologies to:

Maintain login sessions
Remember user preferences
Improve website functionality
Analyze platform usage

Cookies are small data files stored on your device. Most web browsers allow you to disable cookies if you prefer, although some features of the Site may not function correctly without them.

4. Third-Party Services and Embedded Content

The CaseDive allows members to embed or share content from third-party services, including:

Instagram
TikTok
X (Twitter)
YouTube and other video platforms
StoryMapJS
Kumu
Other publicly available websites and resources

Embedded content behaves the same way as if you visited the external website directly. These services may collect data, use cookies, or track interactions according to their own privacy policies.

The CaseDive is not responsible for the privacy practices of external services.

Educational and Archival Purpose

The CaseDive is a collaborative research archive and discussion platform intended for educational, historical, and informational purposes.

Case files may include:

Public records
Timelines
Media references
User-submitted research
Documents
Commentary
Opinions
Theories
Collaborative discussions

The inclusion of materials or discussions does not constitute endorsement, verification, or an official determination of fact by The CaseDive.

Information may change as additional records, reporting, or public information become available.

Members are encouraged to independently review sources, verify claims whenever possible, and approach unresolved discussions thoughtfully and responsibly.

The CaseDive is not affiliated with law enforcement agencies, courts, or official investigative bodies and does not claim to independently solve or adjudicate criminal cases.

5. User Communications

The platform includes messaging features that allow members to communicate with one another or within groups.

While we take reasonable steps to protect communications, we cannot guarantee that communications between users will always remain private.

Members should avoid sharing sensitive personal information through the platform.

6. User Content and Responsibility

Members are responsible for the content they choose to share.

The CaseDive may review, organize, moderate, remove, archive, or restrict content that violates community guidelines, applicable law, or platform policies.

While administrators and moderators review submissions when reasonably possible, we do not actively monitor every post, message, or discussion and cannot guarantee the accuracy or reliability of user-generated content.

Content Review and Takedown Requests

The CaseDive reserves the right to review, organize, archive, restrict, remove, or decline content submitted to the platform.

If an individual, rights holder, family member, creator, or other interested party believes material hosted or referenced by The CaseDive:

infringes copyright
contains sensitive or private information
violates community guidelines
creates safety concerns
requires review for another legitimate reason

they may submit a content review or takedown request through the contact email listed below.

Submitting a request does not automatically result in removal.

Each request will be reviewed individually while considering:

archival value
educational purpose
public-record status
contributor context
platform policies
applicable legal obligations

Content may be temporarily restricted while a review is conducted.

Research submissions may also be incorporated into case files, timelines, articles, or other archival resources following editorial review.

7. How We Protect Information

We take reasonable technical, administrative, and organizational measures to help protect information submitted through The CaseDive from unauthorized access, misuse, disclosure, alteration, or loss.

Information submitted through:

contact forms
account registration
research submissions
case suggestions
family participation requests
creator applications
moderator or volunteer requests
other platform features

may be stored for moderation, archival, administrative, communication, or security purposes related to operating the platform.

Submission contact information may be used to:

communicate regarding submitted materials
request clarification or additional information
respond to moderation matters
provide updates related to submissions
address administrative or technical issues

Access to submitted materials is limited to authorized administrators and moderators when reasonably necessary.

Although we use reasonable safeguards, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage can be guaranteed completely secure. By using the Site or submitting materials, users acknowledge these inherent risks.

8. Sharing of Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

Information may be disclosed only when necessary:

to comply with applicable law or legal process
to protect the safety, rights, or property of users or the platform
to investigate fraud, abuse, or illegal activity
to trusted service providers required to operate the platform (such as hosting, infrastructure, payment, or communication providers)

These providers are expected to handle information using reasonable privacy and security practices.

9. Data Retention

Account information may be retained for as long as an account remains active or as reasonably necessary to operate the platform.

Research submissions, case materials, and other contributed content may also be retained as part of the editorial workflow or archival record unless removal is required by law or approved through a content review request.

Users may request account deletion by contacting the site administrator.

10. Children's Privacy

The CaseDive is intended for individuals 18 years of age or older.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18 years of age.

If we become aware that information has been collected from a minor, reasonable steps will be taken to remove it.

11. Your Choices

Members may choose to:

use a pseudonymous display name
limit profile information
control the content they contribute
adjust available notification preferences
request account removal

Please note that information already shared publicly within community discussions or collaborative case materials may remain visible where appropriate.

12. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes to the platform, operational practices, or legal requirements.

When updates are made, the Effective Date at the top of this document will be revised.

Continued use of The CaseDive following the publication of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

13. Contact

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of information may be directed to:

thecasedive@gmail.com

Final Note

The CaseDive exists to preserve information, encourage thoughtful research, and provide a collaborative space where people can responsibly contribute to public case archives.

Whether you're contributing research, organizing timelines, submitting documents, or participating in discussion, we encourage everyone to remain thoughtful, respectful, and mindful of the information they choose to share online.

Effective Date: August 1, 2026

Welcome to The CaseDive ("the Site," "we," "us," or "our").

These Terms of Service govern your access to and use of The CaseDive website, community, and collaborative research platform.

By creating an account or using the Site, you agree to these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the Site.

1. Eligibility

The CaseDive is intended for individuals 18 years of age or older.

By using the Site, you represent that:

you are at least 18 years old;
you have the legal ability to enter into these Terms;
your use of the Site complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

2. Nature of the Platform

The CaseDive is a collaborative research and archival platform dedicated to preserving, organizing, and discussing publicly available information related to criminal cases, missing persons, and other documented events.

The platform includes features such as:

collaborative case files
research discussions
timelines
source collections
document submissions
articles
media references
creator resources
community-contributed research

Content on the platform may include:

public records
historical information
research
opinions
theories
analysis
user-generated content

The CaseDive does not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of all information contributed by users.

3. User Accounts

Certain features require a registered account.

Users are responsible for:

maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials;
activity occurring under their account;
providing reasonably accurate registration information;
complying with community guidelines while using the platform.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or Community Guidelines.

4. User Contributions

Members may contribute content including:

research
documents
photographs
videos
audio
timelines
articles
source material
comments
discussions
links
polls
embedded content

You retain ownership of the content you create.

By submitting content to The CaseDive, you grant the platform a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

display your content;
organize and archive it;
store it;
reproduce it as necessary to operate the platform;
incorporate submitted materials into collaborative case files, timelines, articles, or other archival resources consistent with the purpose of the Site.

This license exists solely to operate, preserve, and present the collaborative archive.

5. Collaborative Research

Many areas of The CaseDive are designed to encourage collaborative research.

Members may submit:

research findings;
supporting documentation;
timeline updates;
historical records;
corrections;
media references;
archival material.

Submission of research does not guarantee publication.

Contributions may be reviewed for:

accuracy;
organization;
duplication;
editorial consistency;
compliance with community guidelines;
relevance to the case.

Administrators may edit formatting or organization for consistency while preserving the intent of contributed material whenever reasonably possible.

6. Prohibited Conduct

Users agree not to:

harass, threaten, or abuse other members;
share illegal content;
knowingly post false information intended to harm individuals;
impersonate another person;
upload malicious software or spam;
interfere with the operation of the Site;
post private personal information ("doxing");
encourage harassment of individuals connected to cases;
interfere with ongoing investigations.

Violations may result in content removal, account restrictions, or permanent removal from the platform.

7. Moderation and Community Management

To maintain a productive research environment, administrators and moderators may:

remove content;
restrict user activity;
lock discussions;
edit formatting for clarity or organization;
archive submissions;
decline submissions that are not appropriate for inclusion;
suspend or terminate accounts for serious or repeated violations.

Moderation decisions are made to protect the integrity of both the community and the archive.

8. Discussion of Real Cases

The CaseDive hosts discussions involving real people and real events.

Members acknowledge that:

discussions may include differing opinions or theories;
some information may later change as investigations continue;
unresolved questions may remain unresolved;
participation should remain respectful toward victims, families, and affected communities.

The platform does not determine criminal responsibility, establish guilt, or replace official investigations.

9. Third-Party Services and External Links

The Site may contain links to or embedded content from third-party services, including:

social media platforms;
video hosting services;
mapping services;
timeline platforms;
news organizations;
other publicly available resources.

These services operate independently under their own terms and privacy practices.

The CaseDive is not responsible for third-party content or services.

10. Platform Availability

While we strive to keep The CaseDive available and functioning, uninterrupted access cannot be guaranteed.

The platform may occasionally be unavailable due to:

maintenance;
technical issues;
infrastructure failures;
software updates;
feature improvements;
operational changes.

We reserve the right to modify, improve, or discontinue features as the platform evolves.

11. No Professional Advice

Information shared on The CaseDive is provided for educational, historical, research, and informational purposes.

Nothing on the platform should be interpreted as:

legal advice;
investigative instruction;
forensic expertise;
official findings;
professional consultation.

Members are encouraged to independently evaluate sources and exercise their own judgment.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The CaseDive and its operators are not liable for:

user-generated content;
errors or omissions in contributed material;
actions taken based on information found on the platform;
interruptions of service;
temporary outages;
loss of access;
technical failures beyond our reasonable control.

Use of the platform is at your own discretion.

13. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise indicated, The CaseDive branding, logos, original written content, graphics, and site design are the property of The CaseDive.

User-contributed content remains the property of its respective creators, subject to the license granted in Section 4.

Members should only submit materials they have the legal right to share.

14. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, Community Guidelines, or otherwise disrupt the platform.

Users may discontinue use of the Site or request account removal at any time.

Archived collaborative materials may remain part of the historical record where appropriate and consistent with applicable law.

15. Changes to These Terms

These Terms of Service may be updated periodically to reflect changes to the platform, operational practices, or legal requirements.

When updates are made, the Effective Date at the top of this document will be revised.

Continued use of The CaseDive after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16. Contact

Questions regarding these Terms of Service may be directed to:

thecasedive@gmail.com

Final Note

The CaseDive exists to preserve knowledge, encourage thoughtful research, and provide a collaborative space where people can organize, discuss, and expand publicly available information about documented cases.

Every contribution, whether it is a source, timeline, document, article, or discussion, helps strengthen the archive for future researchers.

We appreciate everyone who participates respectfully and helps preserve these stories with care.

Community Discussion Disclaimer

Effective Date: August 1, 2026

The CaseDive is a collaborative research archive and community platform dedicated to preserving, organizing, and discussing publicly available information related to criminal cases, missing persons, and other documented events.

The platform encourages thoughtful discussion, collaborative research, and the responsible sharing of publicly available information. Views expressed by individual members do not necessarily reflect the views of The CaseDive or its administrators.

By participating in the community, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

User-Generated Content

The CaseDive allows members to contribute discussions, research, documents, timelines, articles, media references, theories, and other materials related to cases featured on the platform.

User contributions may include:

opinions
theories
research
interpretations of publicly available information
discussion of news reporting, public records, or court documents
collaborative analysis

Content contributed by members is generally published without prior verification by The CaseDive.

While administrators may review or organize submissions for inclusion within the archive, publication should not be interpreted as verification or endorsement of the information presented.

The CaseDive does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of user-contributed content.

Discussion vs. Established Facts

Many cases featured on The CaseDive remain unsolved or continue to develop over time.

Members are encouraged to clearly distinguish between:

confirmed information
publicly reported facts
personal opinion
informed theory
speculation

Discussion exists to explore available information, not to establish factual conclusions about individuals or investigations.

Respect for Victims, Families, and Communities

The cases discussed on The CaseDive involve real people and real lives.

Members are expected to approach discussions with empathy, respect, and professionalism.

Harassment, threats, intimidation, or attempts to target victims, families, witnesses, investigators, or other individuals connected to a case are prohibited.

Educational and Research Purpose

The CaseDive exists for educational, historical, archival, and research purposes.

Nothing published on the platform should be interpreted as:

legal advice
investigative instruction
forensic expertise
official findings
verified reporting

Members are encouraged to consult original sources whenever possible and rely on official agencies for confirmed investigative information.

Moderation

Administrators and moderators may review, organize, archive, edit formatting, restrict, or remove content that violates Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, or applicable law.

Because of the collaborative nature of the platform, not every discussion or submission can be reviewed immediately.

If you believe content violates platform policies or creates legitimate concerns, please report it to the site administrator for review.

Responsibility for Participation

Members are responsible for the content they choose to contribute and for ensuring their participation complies with applicable laws and The CaseDive's policies.

The CaseDive reserves the right to remove content, restrict participation, or suspend accounts when necessary to maintain a respectful, collaborative, and lawful research environment.

Platform Purpose

The CaseDive exists to preserve publicly available information, encourage thoughtful collaboration, and provide a structured environment where researchers, creators, families, and community members can contribute to the ongoing organization of case information.

The platform does not determine guilt, innocence, or legal responsibility and does not represent law enforcement, courts, or official investigative agencies.

Contact

Questions or concerns regarding content on the platform may be directed to the site administrator through:

the platform messaging system
thecasedive@gmail.com

Final Statement

Discussions, research, opinions, theories, and other user-contributed materials published on The CaseDive represent the views of their individual authors and should not be interpreted as official statements or factual determinations made by The CaseDive or its administrators.

We encourage thoughtful research, respectful discussion, and careful consideration of publicly available information as we continue building a collaborative archive together.

Community Dicussion Disclaimer