Updated March 29, 2023

These guidelines are for U.S. law enforcement officials seeking information about Sidechat user accounts. A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty request or letter rogatory may be required from international law enforcement. When Sidechat receives a request for user account information from a government agency investigating criminal activity, the Sidechat team reviews each request to be sure that it satisfies all legal requirements. Sidechat is committed to cooperating with law enforcement while respecting each individual’s right to privacy. The procedures and guidelines below are provided for convenience only and do not supplant Sidechat’s terms of use, privacy policy, and the law governing Sidechat’s, its users, and law enforcement rights and obligations. This information may change at any time.

What is Sidechat**?**

Sidechat is a social network that helps users connect with their community. By letting users express themselves, exchange thoughts, and explore their world, Sidechat helps users feel at home within their local community.

What Account Information Does Sidechat Have?

Sidechat’s records include the following information whenever a user interacts with the Sidechat app:

• The date and time of the interaction with the app, beginning with the time the user verifies their phone number;
• The community or group where the user posted the message;
• The user-agent string associated with the device used to access the app
• The user’s phone number provided when it first launches the app

Data Retention and Preservation Requests

Sidechat retains different types of information for different time periods. Due to the real-time nature of Sidechat, some information may be stored for only a very brief period of time.

Subject to applicable law, Sidechat will not retain data for law enforcement unless it receives a valid preservation request. Preservation requests must be submitted through the below form and signed by the requesting official. Please include screenshots of the messages that you wish to be preserved, if available.

Legal Process Requirements

Sidechat discloses user account information only in accordance with applicable law, including the Stored Communications Act (the “SCA”), 18 U.S.C. § 2701, et seq. Sidechat will only release non-public information about its users to law enforcement officials in response to appropriate legal process, such as a valid subpoena, court order, or search warrant – or in response to a valid emergency request, as described below.