Who we are
Our website address is: http://build-it-guide.com
1. Introduction
Build-It-Guide.com is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal and non-personal information when you visit our website. Our goal is to be transparent about our practices and ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws, including those in the United States, Canada, and the European Union (GDPR).
2. Information We Collect
We collect information to provide and improve our services. The types of information we collect include:
- Personal Information: We may collect personal information such as your name, email address, location, and IP address. This information is collected when you register for an account, fill out forms on our website, subscribe to our newsletter, or interact with our services. We also collect IP addresses automatically through server logs to understand how users access our site.
- Non-Personal Information: We collect non-personal information, such as your browser type, operating system, device information, and browsing behavior (e.g., pages visited, time spent on the site). This data is gathered using cookies, web beacons, and analytics tools to improve website functionality and user experience.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to enhance your experience and operate our website effectively. Specifically, we use it for:
- Providing and Improving Services: We personalize content, improve website functionality, and analyze user trends to enhance our services. For example, we may use your location to suggest relevant guides or customize your browsing experience.
- Communication: We use your contact information to respond to inquiries, send newsletters, or provide updates about our services. You can opt out of non-essential communications at any time.
- Marketing: We may use your information for targeted advertising or to send promotional offers. You have the right to opt out of marketing communications by following the unsubscribe instructions in emails or contacting us directly.
- Legal Compliance: We may process your information to comply with legal obligations, such as responding to lawful requests from authorities or defending our legal rights.
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We share your information only in specific circumstances, as outlined below:
- Third-Party Service Providers: We share data with trusted third-party providers who assist with hosting, analytics, payment processing, and advertising. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information to comply with legal obligations, such as responding to subpoenas, court orders, or other lawful requests. We may also share data to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you of such transfers and ensure your data remains protected.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website.
- Types of Cookies: We use session cookies (temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser), persistent cookies (cookies that remain until deleted or expired), first-party cookies (set by Build-It-Guide.com), and third-party cookies (set by analytics or advertising partners).
- Purpose of Cookies: Cookies enable website functionality (e.g., remembering your login details), provide analytics (e.g., tracking site usage), and support advertising (e.g., delivering relevant ads).
- User Control: You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool. To learn more, visit your browser’s help page or opt-out tools like the Network Advertising Initiative (http://optout.networkadvertising.org).
6. Data Security
We take robust measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.
- Security Measures: We use encryption (e.g., SSL/TLS), firewalls, and access controls to safeguard your information. Our staff is trained to handle data securely, and we regularly review our security practices.
- Data Breach Notification: In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities promptly, as required by applicable laws (e.g., GDPR, Canadian PIPEDA, and US state laws). Notifications will include details of the breach and steps you can take to protect yourself.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or to comply with legal requirements. For example, we may retain account information while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward to address inquiries or legal obligations. Non-personal data may be retained indefinitely in anonymized form for analytics purposes.
8. Your Rights
You have several rights regarding your personal data, including:
- Access: You can request access to the personal data we hold about you.
- Rectification: You can request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Erasure (Right to be forgotten): You can request the deletion of your personal data, subject to legal exceptions.
- Restriction of Processing: You can request that we limit how your data is processed.
- Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Objection: You can object to the processing of your data for specific purposes, such as marketing.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: If we process your data based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time without affecting prior processing.
To exercise these rights, contact us at the details provided in Section 12. We will respond within the timeframes required by law (e.g., 30 days under GDPR).
9. Children’s Privacy
Build-It-Guide.com is not intended for children under 13 (or 16 in the EU, as per GDPR). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under these age limits. If we learn that a child’s data has been collected without verifiable parental consent, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians can contact us to review or delete their child’s data or provide consent.
10. International Data Transfers
If you are located in the EU or Canada, your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. We ensure that such transfers comply with GDPR and other applicable laws by using safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or relying on adequacy decisions. These measures ensure your data remains protected regardless of its location.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website and, where required, by email or prominent notice. The updated policy will take effect upon posting, and we encourage you to review it periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
For EU users, you may also contact our Data Protection Officer at [email protected] or lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.