Privacy Policy
At FriendlyVote, we are committed to safeguarding your personal data and upholding your privacy rights. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use our services or access our website located at friendlyvote.com. We prioritize transparency, security, and compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
1. Introduction
FriendlyVote values your trust and is dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the personal data you provide. We implement robust procedures and technologies to ensure your data is handled lawfully, fairly, and transparently. This Privacy Policy reflects our continuing commitment to respecting and protecting your privacy.
2. Scope of Policy and Data Controller
This Privacy Policy governs the data processing practices of FriendlyVote in its role as the data controller of personal information collected through friendlyvote.com and related services. If you have any questions or concerns about our use of your personal data, please contact us at [email protected].
This policy applies to all visitors, users, and others who access or use our website and services, regardless of their geographic location, and is intended to comply with all relevant privacy laws, including but not limited to GDPR and CCPA.
3. Categories of Data We Collect
We may collect, use, store, and transfer various types of personal data which we group into the following categories:
a. Usage Data
Information collected automatically, including browser type and version, IP address, referring URLs, pages visited, time stamps, and browsing behavior on friendlyvote.com.
b. Account Data
Details voluntarily provided when creating an account or interacting with our services, including your full name, mailing address, email address, and phone number.
c. Profile Data
Information derived from your use of our services, such as preferences, interactions, behavioral indicators, and purchase history (if applicable).
d. Communication Data
Records of your communications with us, including support queries, feedback, complaints, and message content exchanged via forms, chat, or email.
e. Technical Data
Details related to the devices and software you use to access friendlyvote.com, such as device type, operating system, browser settings, time zone, network identifiers, and system configurations.
f. Transaction Data
Information related to any payments made through our platform, including billing address, transaction history, and delivery or fulfillment information.
g. Preference Data
Marketing and communication preferences, such as your opt-in or opt-out status regarding email newsletters, promotions, and product interests.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
Under GDPR and CCPA, we rely on the following legal bases to collect and process personal data:
– Consent: Where you have explicitly given us permission to process your data (e.g., subscribing to newsletters).
– Contractual Necessity: When data is required to fulfill a contract or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract.
– Legitimate Interests: To operate and improve our services, detect fraud, maintain security, or communicate with users, provided these interests are not overridden by your rights.
– Legal Obligation: Where we are legally required to process data to comply with applicable laws.
5. Your Rights
Under GDPR and CCPA, you may exercise the following rights with respect to your personal data:
– Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
– Right to Rectification: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete data.
– Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Request that we delete your data, subject to certain limitations.
– Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how your data is processed.
– Right to Data Portability: Receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and have the right to transmit it to another controller.
– Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
– Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise your rights under CCPA without being subjected to any discriminatory treatment.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We aim to respond to all legitimate requests promptly and within the timeframes required by applicable law.
6. Security Measures
FriendlyVote employs technical and organizational security measures to ensure the protection of your personal data, including but not limited to:
– Encryption of data in transit and at rest
– Access controls and authentication mechanisms
– Regular backups and disaster recovery protocols
– Continuous monitoring for security threats
– Employee training on data protection practices
7. International Data Transfers
If personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or other regions with comprehensive data protection laws, we implement appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission or rely on recognized adequacy decisions where applicable. We are committed to ensuring your data enjoys a level of protection consistent with GDPR regardless of location.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including compliance with legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or reporting obligations.
Retention periods by category:
– Usage and Technical Data: 12 months
– Account and Profile Data: For the duration of your account and up to 6 years afterward
– Communication Data: Up to 3 years from the date of last communication
– Transaction Data: 7 years, in compliance with tax regulations
– Preference Data: While you remain subscribed or until you withdraw consent
We routinely review and securely delete or anonymize expired personal data.
9. Cookie Policy
friendlyvote.com uses cookies and similar tracking technologies for the following purposes:
– Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly.
– Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced features such as remembering user preferences.
– Analytics Cookies: Collect information about website usage to help us improve user experience.
– Performance Cookies: Monitor the stability and performance of our platform.
Cookies may be first-party (set by FriendlyVote) or third-party (set by trusted partners such as analytics providers).
10. Cookie Management and Compliance
In compliance with GDPR and CCPA:
– You will be presented with a cookie consent banner upon your first visit to the website, giving you control over your cookie preferences.
– You may adjust or withdraw your consent at any time through our Cookie Settings panel.
– You may also manage cookies via your browser settings, though doing so may limit certain functionalities.
We honor opt-out signals, such as the Global Privacy Control (GPC), where mandated by regulation.
11. Children’s Privacy
friendlyvote.com and our services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under this age. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child without verifiable parental consent, we will take steps to delete such data promptly. Parents or guardians with privacy concerns regarding a child’s data may contact us directly at [email protected].
12. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements, our data processing practices, or enhancements to our services. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy to friendlyvote.com and, where appropriate, providing direct notice (e.g., via email or on-site banner). Continued use of our website after such changes indicates your acknowledgment.
13. Contact Us
For any privacy-related questions, concerns about this policy, data processing practices, or to exercise your rights, please contact our privacy team directly:
Email: [email protected]
We take privacy inquiries seriously and will take steps to ensure your questions are addressed in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
FriendlyVote is committed to ensuring full compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and related privacy frameworks. We welcome your feedback and are here to support your right to a secure and transparent online experience.