Privacy Policy
At Parenting Step Up, accessible via parentingstepup.com, we are fully committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and share your personal data in accordance with global privacy and data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other applicable laws.
1. Commitment to Privacy and Data Protection
We recognize the importance of privacy and take our responsibility seriously. Parenting Step Up is committed to safeguarding the personal information of our users and visitors and adhering to a privacy-first approach in all aspects of our services and operations. This Privacy Policy outlines your rights regarding your data and how we ensure its protection through secure and compliant practices.
2. Scope of This Policy and Data Controller Role
This Policy applies to personal data collected on parentingstepup.com and any related services, communications, or interactions. Parenting Step Up operates as the data controller of the information you provide to us, determining the purposes and means of processing your data. For inquiries about how we manage personal data, please contact us at [email protected].
3. Categories of Data We Process
We may collect and process various categories of personal data, either directly or via third-party service providers, including but not limited to:
– Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, such as browser type and version, IP address, geographic location, referral source, length of visit, pages viewed, and navigation paths.
– Account Data: Information you provide when creating an account or submitting forms on our website, including your full name, residential or billing address, email address, and phone number.
– Profile Data: Demographic and behavioral data such as your interests, preferences, shopping behavior, completed surveys, or any responses to questionnaires.
– Communication Data: Records of communications with us via support tickets, emails, live chat, or contact forms, including any content you provide voluntarily.
– Technical Data: Details about the device used to access parentingstepup.com, such as your operating system, device model, system configurations, mobile carrier, language preferences, and browser settings.
– Transaction Data: Information related to product or service purchases, including purchase history, delivery addresses, billing details, and payment status (note: we do not store payment card details).
– Preference Data: Marketing preferences, consent records, subscription information, and communication interests related to newsletters or promotional materials.
4. Legal Bases for Data Processing
We process personal data under one or more of the following legal bases, depending on the context and nature of the information:
– Consent: When you have given clear and affirmative consent for us to process your personal data for a specific purpose (e.g., signing up for our newsletter).
– Contractual Necessity: To fulfill a contract with you or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract (e.g., processing purchases or customer support).
– Legal Obligation: Where we are required to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation.
– Legitimate Interests: To operate and improve our business and services, where those interests are not overridden by your fundamental rights and freedoms (e.g., website analytics, fraud prevention).
5. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights as a data subject:
– Right of Access: You may request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and, if so, access to that data.
– Right to Rectification: You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
– Right to Erasure: You may request the deletion of personal data in certain circumstances.
– Right to Restrict Processing: You may request limitations on how we process your data.
– Right to Data Portability: You may request transfer of your data to another service provider in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to requests in accordance with applicable laws.
6. Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include:
– Secure socket layer (SSL) encryption across all data transmissions.
– Role-based access control and authentication protocols.
– Regular system audits and vulnerability monitoring.
– Routine data back-ups and disaster recovery capabilities.
– Staff training on data protection best practices and confidentiality obligations.
7. International Data Transfers
Your personal data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your jurisdiction, where data protection laws may differ from those in your region. In such cases, we implement appropriate safeguards, including:
– Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission or other recognized mechanisms.
– Additional regional compliance measures, where applicable.
By using parentingstepup.com, you acknowledge and agree to these international data transfers as necessary for providing our services.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, and reporting obligations. Retention periods vary depending on the data category and processing purpose:
– Usage Data: Up to 36 months for analytics and website optimization.
– Account Data: Retained as long as your account remains active and up to 6 years thereafter for audit and compliance reasons.
– Profile and Communication Data: Retained for operational relevance and up to 2 years after your last interaction.
– Transaction Data: Kept for financial and legal compliance for a period of 7 years.
– Preference Data: Maintained until consent is withdrawn or unsubscribed.
Upon expiration or fulfillment of retention purposes, data is securely deleted, anonymized, or archived.
9. Cookie Policy
parentingstepup.com uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve user experience and site functionality. Cookies are categorized as follows:
– Essential Cookies: Necessary for the basic functioning of the site (e.g., login sessions, cart functionality).
– Functional Cookies: Enhance user experience by remembering preferences and choices.
– Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our platform through aggregate metrics (e.g., Google Analytics).
– Performance Cookies: Monitor site performance metrics like load times or error reports to improve responsiveness and reliability.
10. Cookie Management and Compliance
Visitors to parentingstepup.com are presented with a cookie banner upon first visit to opt in or out of non-essential cookies in accordance with GDPR and CCPA. You can manage cookie preferences at any time using the “Cookie Settings” link available sitewide, or adjust your browser settings to decline cookies. Opting out of some cookies may impact certain features or functionality.
We honor Do Not Track (DNT) signals and offer avenues for users to decline targeted advertising in compliance with regional laws.
11. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13. Our content is intended for parents, caregivers, and guardians. If we become aware that we have unintentionally collected personal information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will take immediate steps to delete the information. Parents or legal guardians who believe their child has provided us data may contact us at [email protected].
12. Policy Updates & Notifications
We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in legal, regulatory, or operational requirements. Any significant changes affecting your data rights or how we process personal information will be communicated via prominent notice on parentingstepup.com or via direct communication channels when applicable.
13. Contact Us
Should you have any questions, complaints, or data subject requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data handling practices, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
We are committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable data protection laws and to acting promptly and transparently in response to any data privacy concerns.