Berks Connect

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Last Updated: December 14, 2025

Berks Connect is committed to building an inclusive business directory that serves our entire community. We believe every legitimate local business deserves the opportunity to be discovered by customers, regardless of who owns or operates it.

Our Commitment to Non-Discrimination

Berks Connect does not discriminate against businesses or individuals based on:

  • Race, color, or ethnicity
  • National origin or ancestry
  • Religion or religious beliefs
  • Gender or gender identity
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Veteran status
  • Marital or family status
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Political affiliation
  • Any other characteristic protected by applicable law

Fair Listing Practices

We apply the same standards to all business listings:

Equal Access to Basic Listings

Every legitimate local business is welcome to be listed on Berks Connect, free of charge. Our criteria for listing businesses are based solely on:

  • Whether the business is a legitimate commercial enterprise
  • Whether the business operates in our coverage area
  • Whether the business provides accurate contact information
  • Whether the business complies with applicable laws

Objective Evaluation

When evaluating business listings, claims, or disputes, we consider only objective factors such as:

  • Accuracy of business information
  • Compliance with our Content Guidelines
  • Verification of business ownership or authorization
  • Customer feedback and reported issues

Consistent Content Standards

Our Content Guidelines and Editorial Policy apply equally to all businesses. We do not apply stricter or more lenient standards based on the demographics of business owners.

Premium Services

Access to premium listings and paid features is available to all businesses on equal terms. We do not:

  • Offer different pricing based on owner demographics
  • Provide preferential access to premium features based on identity
  • Deny premium services based on protected characteristics
  • Apply different service levels based on anything other than subscription tier

Search Results and Rankings

Our search algorithms and ranking systems are designed to be neutral and objective. Business placement in search results is determined by factors such as:

  • Relevance to the search query
  • Geographic proximity to the searched location
  • Completeness of business profile
  • Premium listing status (clearly identified)

Owner demographics play no role in search rankings or visibility.

User Conduct

We expect all users of Berks Connect to treat businesses and other users with respect. Our Content Guidelines prohibit:

  • Hate speech or discriminatory language
  • Harassment or threats based on identity
  • Reviews or content motivated by bias rather than genuine customer experience
  • Any content that promotes discrimination

We remove content that violates these standards and may suspend accounts of users who engage in discriminatory behavior.

Diverse Business Representation

We actively work to ensure our directory represents the full diversity of our local business community. This includes:

  • Proactively adding businesses from all neighborhoods and communities
  • Ensuring our category system reflects diverse business types
  • Supporting businesses that serve specialized communities
  • Welcoming business descriptions in multiple languages where appropriate

Reporting Discrimination

If you believe you have experienced discrimination on our platform, or if you witness discriminatory content or behavior, please report it to us immediately:

  • Email: hello@berksconnect.com (Subject: Discrimination Report)
  • Phone: +1-484-650-3808

When reporting, please include:

  • A description of what occurred
  • Any relevant URLs, screenshots, or documentation
  • Your contact information for follow-up

We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly. We will take appropriate action, which may include removing content, suspending accounts, or other remedial measures.

Accessibility

As part of our commitment to non-discrimination, we strive to make our platform accessible to users with disabilities. Please see our Accessibility Statement for more information about our accessibility efforts and how to request accommodations.

Training and Accountability

We are committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory platform through:

  • Regular review of our policies and practices
  • Monitoring for patterns of discrimination
  • Addressing any issues promptly when identified
  • Seeking feedback from diverse community members

Legal Compliance

In addition to our own policies, Berks Connect complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws, including:

  • Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act
  • Local anti-discrimination ordinances

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Anti-Discrimination Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was last revised.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or our commitment to non-discrimination, please contact us:

Berks Connect
4712 Penn Ave, Unit 7090
Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Email: hello@berksconnect.com
Phone: +1-484-650-3808

    Anti-Discrimination Policy - BerksConnect