Our Commitment to You
At When It Was, we take our responsibility as historical custodians seriously. Our platform is built on core values that guide every decision we make, from how we verify information to how we protect your privacy. Here's what you can expect from us.
Commitment to Accuracy
Historical accuracy is the foundation of everything we do. We understand that people trust us to provide reliable information about their communities, and we never take that trust for granted.
Our Verification Process
- Every submitted location, business, and date is reviewed by our verification team
- We cross-reference submissions with historical records, city directories, and archival sources
- Photos are dated using architectural clues, vehicles, signage, and expert analysis
- Community members can report inaccuracies, which we investigate promptly
- We cite sources whenever possible and mark uncertain information clearly
We would rather leave a field blank than publish questionable information. When exact dates are unknown, we provide approximate ranges and explain our reasoning. Our goal is to be a reliable historical resource that researchers, educators, and community members can depend on.
Commitment to Privacy
Your privacy matters to us. We collect only the information necessary to operate our platform, and we never sell your personal data to third parties.
How We Protect Your Information
- User accounts require only an email address and username
- Passwords are encrypted using industry-standard security protocols
- We don't track your location or browsing habits outside our site
- Contributors can choose to display their name publicly or remain anonymous
- You can request deletion of your account and data at any time
- We comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations
We use Google Analytics to understand how people use our site so we can improve it, but this data is aggregated and anonymous. We display Google AdSense ads to keep the platform free, but we don't share your personal information with advertisers. Read our full Privacy Policy for complete details.
Commitment to Accessibility
History belongs to everyone. We're committed to making our platform accessible to all users, regardless of ability or the device they're using.
Accessibility Features
- Screen reader compatible navigation and content structure
- Keyboard navigation support throughout the entire platform
- High contrast color scheme for improved readability
- Responsive design that works on all devices and screen sizes
- Alternative text descriptions for all images and maps
- Clear, simple language that avoids unnecessary jargon
We continually work to improve accessibility based on user feedback and WCAG 2.1 guidelines. If you encounter any barriers while using our site, please contact us so we can address them.
Commitment to Community
When It Was exists because of our community. We're committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to share their memories and knowledge.
Community Guidelines
- We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, and hate speech
- All contributors must adhere to our Community Guidelines
- We moderate comments and submissions to ensure respectful dialogue
- Credit is always given to contributors who submit content
- We actively seek input from diverse community voices and perspectives
Our platform is strongest when it reflects the full diversity of our communities. We welcome contributions from people of all backgrounds and encourage stories that represent everyone's experiences.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
We're constantly working to make When It Was better. This means adding new features, expanding to new locations, and improving existing functionality based on your feedback.
Our Ongoing Work
- Regular platform updates with bug fixes and new features
- Expansion to new cities and regions nationwide
- Enhanced search capabilities and filtering options
- Improved mobile experience and offline access
- Integration with additional historical archives and databases
- Community-requested features and improvements
We listen to our users. If you have suggestions for how we can improve, we want to hear them. Your feedback directly shapes our development roadmap.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions about our commitments, concerns about accuracy, or suggestions for improvement, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to serve the community and we take your feedback seriously.