Law Enforcement Guidelines
Last Updated: May 13, 2026
About SpeakOX
SpeakOX is an anonymous story-sharing and community support platform. Our core design principle is privacy-by-default: users may post stories without providing personally identifying information. This means we hold significantly less user data than many platforms, and all data disclosure requires appropriate legal process.
What Data We Retain
| Data Type | Retained? | Retention Period |
|---|---|---|
| Email address (registered users only) | Sometimes | Until account deletion + 30 days |
| Username (registered users only) | Sometimes | Until account deletion + 30 days |
| IP address at time of posting | Yes | Rolling 90 days |
| Content of stories, comments, messages | Yes | Until deleted by user or admin |
| Uploaded media files (images, audio, video) | Yes | Until deleted by user or admin |
| Device fingerprint / user agent | Yes | Rolling 90 days (session logs) |
| Real name or physical address | No | Not collected |
| Phone number | Optional | Only if user provides for SMS notifications |
| Payment information | No | Processed by Stripe — we hold no raw card data |
Anonymous posts are stored without a publicly visible username. The association between an anonymous post and an account (if any) is maintained only in our internal database for moderation purposes.
Required Legal Process
SpeakOX is a US-based platform and responds to legally valid process from competent authorities. The type of process required depends on the data being sought:
Required for basic subscriber information such as email address, username, and account creation date (where retained).
Required for non-content records including IP access logs, session metadata, and associated account activity.
Required for content of stored communications, including private messages, story drafts, and uploaded files.
International Requests
For requests originating outside the United States, SpeakOX requires Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) requests or letters rogatory routed through appropriate US authorities. We do not produce data in response to direct requests from non-US law enforcement without valid US legal process, except in emergency situations involving imminent risk to life.
Emergency Disclosure
In cases involving an imminent risk of death or serious physical injury, SpeakOX may voluntarily disclose limited information to law enforcement without legal process under 18 U.S.C. § 2702(b)(8). Emergency requests must clearly articulate the nature of the emergency, the specific data needed, and why normal process cannot be followed in time.
Emergency requests: security@speakox.com — include "EMERGENCY" in the subject line. We monitor this address around the clock.
User Notification
SpeakOX will notify affected users of legal requests before complying, unless prohibited from doing so by law (e.g., by a court-issued gag order) or where notification would create a risk of harm (e.g., child safety cases). If you receive notice from us, you have the opportunity to seek legal counsel before we respond.
How to Submit a Request
Law enforcement may submit requests by:
- Emailing legal@speakox.com with formal documentation attached
- Serving process on SpeakOX at our registered business address
Please include in your request:
- Your badge number, agency, and official contact information
- The specific account identifiers (username, email, post URL, IP address) related to your inquiry
- The time range relevant to your investigation
- A clear description of the offense being investigated
- A copy of the court order, warrant, or subpoena
We aim to respond to properly submitted requests within 10 business days. Expedited handling is available for documented urgent matters.