Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
At LIGHTINITIATIVE ("we," "us," or "our"), we are unwaveringly committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of all personal information ("Personal Data") provided to us by users ("you" or "your") of our website and services (collectively, the "Website"). This Privacy Policy ("Policy") delineates the practices we employ to collect, process, use, store, and protect your Personal Data when you access or interact with our Website. By accessing, browsing, or using the Website, you expressly acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this Policy, you must discontinue your use of the Website immediately.
Our dedication to transparency and accountability underpins every aspect of our privacy practices. We aim to provide clear and comprehensive explanations about how your Personal Data is handled and to empower you with control over your information. This Policy is designed to comply with all applicable data protection laws and regulations, balancing our legal obligations with your individual privacy rights.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Data You Provide Voluntarily
We may collect and process Personal Data that you voluntarily provide to us when engaging with our Website, which may include, but is not limited to:
- Identification Information: Full name, date of birth, and other identifiers necessary to verify your identity.
- Contact Information: Email address, mailing address, telephone numbers, and other means of communication.
- Account Credentials: Usernames, passwords, and security questions for authentication purposes.
- Transactional Information: Records of services requested or provided, including any correspondence related to such transactions.
- Content Submissions: Information you provide when you participate in surveys, forums, or other interactive areas of the Website.
- Preferences and Interests: Details regarding your preferences, interests, and behaviors relevant to our services.
This Personal Data is collected only when you voluntarily provide it to us, with your explicit consent, and is necessary for us to deliver the services you have requested.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you access or use the Website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage of the Website, including:
- Technical Information:
- Device Data: IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system, and platform.
- Usage Data: Information about how you use our Website, such as the pages or content you view, the links you click, the dates and times of your visits, and other actions you take.
- Location Data: Geographical location information derived from your IP address or other location-aware technologies.
We collect this information using cookies, web beacons, pixels, and other similar technologies to enhance the functionality and security of the Website, personalize your experience, and analyze usage patterns.
2.3 Information Obtained from Third Parties
We may receive Personal Data about you from third-party sources, which may include:
- Social Media Platforms: Information from your public profile and interactions with our content on social media networks, subject to the privacy settings and policies of those platforms.
- Service Providers: Data from analytics providers, advertising networks, and search information providers that assist us in improving our services and marketing efforts.
- Public Records and Databases: Information from public records or commercially available sources as permitted by law.
We ensure that any Personal Data obtained from third parties is processed in compliance with applicable laws and this Policy.
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Provision of Services
We use your Personal Data to:
- Fulfill Obligations: Provide you with the information, products, or services you request from us.
- Account Management: Create, maintain, and secure your account, including verifying your identity and managing authentication credentials.
- Customer Support: Respond to your inquiries, complaints, and feedback, and provide technical assistance.
- Personalization: Tailor content, recommendations, and advertisements to your preferences and interests.
3.2 Communication
We may use your Personal Data to communicate with you about:
- Service Updates: Information about changes or updates to our services, terms, and policies.
- Promotional Offers: Newsletters, marketing communications, and promotional offers that may be of interest to you, provided you have not opted out of receiving such communications.
- Transactional Messages: Confirmations, invoices, technical notices, updates, security alerts, and support-related messages.
You may opt out of receiving promotional communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in those communications or by contacting us directly.
3.3 Legal Compliance and Protection
We may process your Personal Data to:
- Comply with Legal Obligations: Satisfy applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests.
- Enforce Agreements: Enforce our Terms and Conditions and other contractual obligations.
- Protect Rights and Interests: Protect the rights, property, or safety of LIGHTINITIATIVE, our users, employees, or the public, as required or permitted by law.
3.4 Analytics and Improvement
We utilize aggregated and anonymized data to:
- Analyze Performance: Monitor and analyze usage, trends, and activities to improve the Website's functionality and user experience.
- Research and Development: Develop new products, services, features, and functionality based on user interactions and feedback.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
4.1 Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
We employ cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information automatically as you navigate the Website. These technologies serve various purposes:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for the operation of the Website, enabling you to move around and use its features.
- Performance Cookies: Collect information about how you use the Website to improve its performance and your experience.
- Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings to enhance your visit.
- Targeting Cookies: Deliver advertisements relevant to you and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.
4.2 Managing Cookies
You have the right to accept or reject cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality and features of the Website, and certain services may not be available.
4.3 Third-Party Analytics and Advertising
We may use third-party service providers, such as Google Analytics, to collect and analyze usage information through cookies and similar tools. These third parties may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties, and their information practices are governed by their own privacy policies.
5. How We Share Your Information
5.1 Disclosure to Service Providers and Partners
We may share your Personal Data with trusted third parties who perform services on our behalf, including:
- Service Providers: Entities that provide hosting, data storage, maintenance, customer support, email delivery, analytics, marketing, and payment processing services.
- Business Partners: Organizations with whom we collaborate to offer products or services, subject to appropriate confidentiality and security measures.
These third parties are contractually obligated to use your Personal Data only as necessary to provide the requested services and in accordance with this Policy.
5.2 Legal and Regulatory Disclosures
We may disclose your Personal Data to:
- Government Authorities and Law Enforcement: If required by law, legal process, or lawful requests, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.
- Legal Counsel and Parties in Litigation: To establish, exercise, or defend our legal rights in the event of a dispute or legal proceeding.
5.3 Business Transactions
In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your Personal Data may be transferred to a successor or affiliate as part of that transaction. We will ensure that any such entity is bound by terms that are at least as protective of your Personal Data as those contained in this Policy.
5.4 Consent-Based Sharing
We may share your Personal Data with third parties when you have provided explicit consent to do so for specific purposes.
6. Data Retention
We will retain your Personal Data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, as outlined in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The criteria used to determine our retention periods include:
- Legal and Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Contractual Obligations: Fulfillment of contractual commitments.
- Dispute Resolution: Resolution of disputes, enforcement of agreements, and protection of our legal rights.
Upon the expiration of the applicable retention period, we will securely dispose of your Personal Data in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
7. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your Personal Data against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage. These measures include:
- Encryption: Use of encryption protocols to safeguard data during transmission and storage.
- Access Controls: Limiting access to Personal Data to authorized personnel who have a legitimate need to know.
- Regular Assessments: Conducting periodic security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
While we strive to protect your Personal Data, no security measures are infallible, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You acknowledge and accept that any transmission of Personal Data is at your own risk.
8. Your Data Protection Rights
Subject to applicable data protection laws, you have the following rights regarding your Personal Data:
- Right to Access: Request confirmation as to whether we process your Personal Data and access to such data.
- Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete Personal Data.
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your Personal Data under certain conditions.
- Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of processing your Personal Data under specific circumstances.
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your Personal Data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and transmit it to another controller.
- Right to Object: Object to processing your Personal Data for direct marketing purposes or based on legitimate interests.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent at any time where processing is based on consent.
To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Information" section below. We may require additional information to verify your identity before processing your request. We will respond to your request within the timeframes established by applicable laws.
9. Third-Party Links
The Website may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not operated or controlled by LIGHTINITIATIVE. This Policy does not apply to such third-party platforms, and we are not responsible for their content, privacy policies, or practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party platforms you access through the Website before providing them with your Personal Data.
10. Children's Privacy
Our Website is not intended for individuals under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect or solicit Personal Data from children under 16. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected Personal Data from a child under 16, we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our records. If you believe that we may have collected information from a child under 16, please contact us promptly.
11. International Data Transfers
Your Personal Data may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. We take appropriate measures to ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and that your Personal Data remains protected in accordance with the standards described in this Policy.
By using the Website or providing us with your Personal Data, you consent to the transfer of your Personal Data to countries outside of your country of residence, including to the United States.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to modify or update this Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. Any changes will become effective when we post the revised Policy on the Website. We will indicate the "Effective Date" at the top of this Policy. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your Personal Data. Your continued use of the Website after any changes to this Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.
13. Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, or if you wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us through our Contact Us page on the Website.
We are committed to addressing your inquiries promptly and in accordance with applicable laws.
14. Your Consent
By accessing and using the Website, you affirmatively consent to the collection, processing, and use of your Personal Data as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any terms of this Policy, you must cease using the Website immediately. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us; however, please note that withdrawal of consent may affect your ability to access or use certain features of the Website.