Privacy Policy

LAST UPDATED: 28 MAY 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how The DJ Calendar (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and shares information when you visit https://thedjcalendar.com (the “Site”) or use its features — including the tour directory, artist profiles, articles, maps, member accounts, email alerts, comments, and advertising. By using the Site, you agree to this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

1. WHO WE ARE

The DJ Calendar is an independent online publication and tour directory focused on electronic music artists and live events. We publish publicly available tour listings, editorial articles, and tools to help fans discover shows and ticket links. For privacy questions or data requests, contact us through our contact page.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

Depending on how you use the Site, we may collect the following categories of information:

2.1 Information you provide directly

• Member account: If you register or log in, we collect your display name, email address, and a password stored only as a one-way cryptographic hash (we do not store plaintext passwords). You may also save a list of favorite artists linked to your account.
• Email alerts & newsletter: If you sign up for show alerts or marketing emails, we store your email address, the artist names you selected, and optionally approximate location coordinates (latitude/longitude) when you allow location access during signup — used to tailor proximity-based alerts when that feature is enabled.
• Contact form: When you message us, we store your name, email address, and message text in our database for support and record-keeping.
• Comments: If you post comments on artist profile pages or published articles while logged in, we store your comment text, a display name (username), your member user ID, and a timestamp. Comments may be reviewed, approved, or removed by administrators.

2.2 Information collected automatically

• Server and security logs: Our hosting infrastructure may record standard technical data such as IP address, browser type, requested URLs, and timestamps for security, abuse prevention, and troubleshooting.
• Session data: PHP session identifiers and CSRF tokens help keep accounts secure and prevent forged form submissions.
• Reaction buttons: On artist pages, Fire, Love, and Hype reactions use a browser session identifier to limit duplicate votes per session. We store aggregate reaction counts; we do not publish your identity alongside individual votes.
• Near Me / location signals: If you use the “Near Me” homepage sort or related features and grant location permission, the Site may send approximate coordinates (and city/state/country when available) to our server and store them in a location_signals table to understand regional interest and improve listings. Viewing the map on the contact page alone does not create a stored signal unless you submit a form or trigger a feature that logs location.

2.3 Information stored on your device (not on our servers)

• localStorage: Your liked/favorited artists, homepage sort preferences, collapsed favorites panel state, newsletter UI choices, and similar on-device settings — so the Site remembers your choices between visits.
• sessionStorage: Temporary values such as a post-login return URL when signing in from a modal.

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use collected information to:

• Operate and improve the tour directory, maps, search, and editorial content;
• Authenticate members and administrators and maintain secure sessions;
• Display your favorited artists and personalized sorting on the homepage;
• Send email alerts or newsletters you have opted into, and honor unsubscribe requests;
• Moderate comments and respond to contact messages;
• Measure aggregate fan engagement (reactions, regional interest signals);
• Display advertisements and affiliate ticket links as described below;
• Protect the Site against fraud, abuse, and technical failures.

We do not sell your personal information to data brokers.

4. COOKIES & SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

We use essential cookies (session cookies) to keep you logged in and to protect forms with CSRF tokens. These are necessary for account and security features.

We use browser localStorage and sessionStorage for preferences and UI state, as described in section 2.3. These are not used for cross-site tracking by us.

Analytics: The Site may load a third-party analytics service on certain pages when enabled by us. That provider may set its own cookies and process usage data under its privacy policy. You can use browser extensions or vendor opt-out tools to limit analytics cookies.

Third-party ad tags: If we embed third-party ad code (for example in homepage or artist banner slots configured in Backstage), those providers may use cookies or similar technologies subject to their own policies. We configure placements manually; we do not run behavioral ad networks across the entire Site by default.

5. AUDIO PREVIEWS (iTUNES / APPLE)

Hover or focus previews on some artist cards request metadata from Apple’s iTunes Search API using the artist name as the search term. We do not send your account details or personal identifiers to Apple for previews. Apple’s terms and privacy policy apply to their services.

6. EMBEDDED MEDIA & MAPS

• YouTube: Artist pages may embed YouTube live-set players. YouTube may collect usage data when you play or interact with the embed. See the provider’s privacy policy.
• Maps: The contact page and tour map may load map tiles from OpenStreetMap contributors and CARTO (or similar providers). Apple MapKit JS may be used on some venue pages when configured, subject to Apple’s Privacy Policy.

7. TOUR DATA, TICKETS & AFFILIATE LINKS

Show listings are compiled from public sources and partner APIs (including Ticketmaster Discovery, Bandsintown, and our own editorial data). When you click a ticket or vendor link, you leave our Site and interact with that vendor.

Ticketmaster affiliate program: Some Ticketmaster, TicketWeb, Live Nation, or related links may use affiliate tracking URLs (for example via Impact) so we can earn a commission on qualifying ticket sales at no extra cost to you. Those links are marked with rel="sponsored" where applicable. The vendor’s privacy policy governs any purchase you make.

Bandsintown: Live tour data may be fetched from Bandsintown's API when you view artist pages. Requests typically include the artist identifier needed to retrieve events, not your personal profile.

Booking.com affiliate program: Some city, venue, state, and festival pages display links to Booking.com for hotel and accommodation searches. These links use an affiliate identifier so we may earn a commission on qualifying bookings at no extra cost to you. Links are marked with rel="sponsored" where applicable. Booking.com's privacy policy governs any reservation you make.

Google Flights: City, venue, state, and festival pages may include links to Google Flights for travel search. These are standard search links and do not use affiliate tracking. Google's privacy policy governs any interaction you have with their service.

8. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES (SUMMARY)

We rely on external services to operate the Site. Their privacy policies apply when their code or links load:

• Ticketmaster / Live Nation / TicketWeb — ticket listings and purchases;
• Bandsintown — tour date feeds;
• Booking.com — hotel and accommodation search and booking;
• Google Flights — flight search links;
• Apple — iTunes previews; optional MapKit maps;
• Web fonts & analytics CDN — font delivery and optional usage analytics;
• Video embeds — optional live-set players on artist pages;
• OpenStreetMap / CARTO / Leaflet — map display;
• Hosting & email delivery — our web host and mail provider process data to deliver the Site and messages you request.

We may notify search engines of content updates (for example via IndexNow). That process sends URLs of public pages, not your personal account data.

9. ADVERTISING

We display banner advertising in designated slots (homepage drawer, optional box units, artist page banners). Ads may be sold directly to sponsors or served via code you configure. Sponsored ticket links are disclosed as affiliate or sponsored content where required.

10. HOW LONG WE KEEP DATA

• Member accounts: Until you ask us to delete the account or we remove inactive accounts after a reasonable period.
• Email alert subscribers: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
• Comments and contact messages: As long as needed for moderation, legal compliance, or legitimate business purposes, then deleted or anonymized when no longer required.
• Location signals: Retained in aggregate form for analytics; we may purge old rows periodically.
• Server logs: Typically rotated or deleted according to hosting provider retention limits.
• Sessions: Cleared when you log out or after session timeout.

11. HOW WE PROTECT DATA

Passwords are stored using industry-standard hashing (bcrypt or compatible algorithms). The Site is intended to be served over HTTPS. Administrative tools are restricted to authenticated staff. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. YOUR RIGHTS & DATA DELETION

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access a copy of personal data we hold about you;
• Correct inaccurate account or subscription data;
• Delete your account, comments, or email subscription;
• Object to or restrict certain processing;
• Withdraw consent for optional features (for example location or marketing email);
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority (EEA/UK users).

To exercise these rights, contact us via the contact page with enough detail for us to verify your request. We aim to respond within 30 days.

Delete your account

1. Email us through the contact page with subject Delete my account and the email on your member account.
2. We verify the request and delete account data (profile, favorites, and alerts) within about 30 days.

Full step-by-step instructions: Data Deletion Instructions (also at /data-deletion.php if the pretty URL is not live yet).

Marketing email: Use unsubscribe instructions in any alert email, or ask us to remove your address from alert_subscribers.

Browser controls: You can clear cookies and localStorage in your browser settings; doing so may log you out and reset on-device preferences.

13. CHILDREN

The Site is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

14. INTERNATIONAL USERS

We operate from the United States and our servers and service providers may process data in the U.S. and other countries. By using the Site from outside the U.S., you understand that your information may be transferred to jurisdictions that may not provide the same level of data protection as your home country.

15. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights to know, delete, and opt out of certain sharing of personal information. We do not sell personal information as defined under California law. To submit a verifiable request, use our contact page.

16. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy when we add features, partners, or legal requirements. The “Last Updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of the Site after changes means you accept the revised policy.

17. CONTACT

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data: Contact The DJ Calendar.