Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated 18 August 2026

Culture Shock runs events in Baghdad and operates this site at cultureshock.wtf. This policy explains what we collect when you register for a night, what we do with it, and how you get rid of it.

We are the data controller. Reach us any time at info@cultureshock.wtf.

What we collect

When you sign in

We use Google Sign-In. Google gives us your name, email address, profile picture and a Google account identifier. We never see or store your Google password.

When you complete your profile

Before your first event you are asked for a display name, gender, phone number, WhatsApp number and Instagram handle. You may replace the Google profile picture with your own. Your WhatsApp number and Instagram handle must be unique to you — we use them to stop duplicate registrations.

When you register for an event

We store your registration, a QR code that acts as your ticket, your ticket tier, any group name, your waitlist position, and — on the night — your check-in time and how many drinks or food items you were served against your allowance. Door and bar scans are logged.

When you pay

We store the amount, currency, a reference code, the payment status and the screenshot you upload as proof of transfer. We do not collect or store card numbers. Payments are settled outside this site.

When you use the community features

Posts, comments, votes, photos, stories and survey answers you submit are stored with your account. Story views and likes are recorded so posters can see engagement.

Artist profiles

If we link an artist profile to your account, anything you add there — bio, photographs, track and mix links, social handles, booking email — is stored and, once we publish it, is public.

Messaging

If you join our Telegram channel through a link we generate, we record your Telegram user ID, username and display name so we can approve you. If you enable browser or app notifications we store the push subscription your device issues. If phone verification is switched on we store a temporary one-time code against your number; it expires within minutes.

Automatically

A login session cookie keeps you signed in. Our server keeps ordinary request logs. We do not run advertising trackers, and we do not track your location.

Why we collect it

  • To let you in the door — the QR code and guest list are the entry system.
  • To run the bar tab and food allowance attached to your ticket.
  • To confirm your payment and resolve disputes.
  • To contact you about an event you registered for — reminders, changes, cancellations.
  • To stop one person taking several spots on a limited guest list.
  • To announce new events, if you have opted into that channel.

Who we share it with

We do not sell your data and we do not share it for anyone else's advertising. It reaches third parties only where the service requires it:

  • Google — sign-in only.
  • Meta (WhatsApp Business Platform) — if we message you on WhatsApp, your number and the message pass through Meta.
  • Telegram — if you join our channel.
  • Our hosting provider — the server the site runs on.
  • Door and bar staff — they see your name and photo on the guest list on the night, and nothing else.

We will disclose data where the law requires it.

How long we keep it

Your account and its registration history stay until you ask us to delete them. Payment records are kept for our own accounting. One-time verification codes are discarded on use or expiry. Stories are purged automatically after they expire.

Your choices

  • See it — most of it is on your dashboard. Ask us for the rest.
  • Correct it — edit your profile at any time.
  • Delete it — see Delete Your Data.
  • Stop the messages — turn off notifications in your browser or device, leave the Telegram channel, or reply STOP on WhatsApp.

Security

The site is served over HTTPS. Access to the admin panel is restricted to named accounts. No system is perfect; if we discover a breach affecting you, we will tell you.

Children

Our events are for adults. This site is not intended for anyone under 18, and we do not knowingly keep data about them. If you believe a minor has registered, tell us and we will remove the account.

Changes

If this policy changes we will update the date at the top of this page.

Questions, requests or complaints: info@cultureshock.wtf. We answer within 30 days.

Culture Shock

© 2026 Culture Shock. All rights reserved.

Privacy  ·  Terms  ·  Child safety  ·  Delete your data

Questions? info@cultureshock.wtf