Privacy Policy - Anderson SC Home Services Directory

Effective Date: December 13, 2024 | Last Updated: December 13, 2024

🔒 Privacy Commitment

Anderson SC Home Services Directory respects your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it. By using our service, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Information from Homeowners

When you submit a service request, we collect:

Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number
Project Information: Service type, project description, timeline, budget (if provided)
Location: Property address or ZIP code
Communication Preferences: Preferred contact method (phone/email/text)

When you browse our website, we automatically collect:

Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
Usage Data: Pages visited, time on site, referring website, search terms used
Cookies: Small files stored on your device for website functionality

1.2 Information from Contractors

When contractors create listings, we collect:

Business Information: Company name, address, phone, email, website
Credentials: License numbers, insurance information (self-reported)
Service Details: Services offered, service areas, descriptions
Marketing Materials: Photos, logos, business descriptions
Payment Information: Credit card details for Premium AI Services (processed by Stripe)

2. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

2.1 Homeowner Information

We use homeowner information to:

Connect you with contractors: Share your service request with up to 3 contractors in your category
Provide our service: Process requests, communicate with you, respond to inquiries
Improve our service: Analyze usage patterns, optimize website performance
Send communications: Service-related emails (confirmation, contractor responses)

IMPORTANT: When you submit a service request, we share your contact information and project details with contractors. By submitting a request, you consent to this data sharing.

2.2 Contractor Information

We use contractor information to:

Create directory listings: Display contractor profiles on our website
Deliver leads: Send homeowner service requests to relevant contractors
Process payments: Manage Premium AI Services subscriptions
Provide services: Deliver AI automation, send notifications, provide support
Communicate: Send service updates, lead notifications, billing information

3. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

3.1 Sharing Homeowner Information

We share your information with:

Contractors (when you submit service requests):

Up to 3 contractors receive your: name, phone, email, location, project details
Contractors are independent businesses - we don't control how they use your information
Contractors may contact you via phone, email, or text
By submitting a request, you consent to this sharing

Service Providers:

GoHighLevel: CRM and website hosting platform
Google Analytics: Website analytics (anonymous usage data)
Email Services: For sending service-related communications

We DO NOT:

❌ Sell your personal information to third parties
❌ Share your information for marketing purposes without consent
❌ Rent or lease your information

3.2 Sharing Contractor Information

We share contractor information by:

Public Directory Display: Business name, contact info, services, insurance status (as provided by contractor)
Service Providers: Payment processing (Stripe), CRM (GoHighLevel), SMS delivery

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required to:

Comply with legal obligations or court orders
Protect our rights, property, or safety
Prevent fraud or illegal activity
Respond to law enforcement requests

4. COOKIES AND TRACKING

4.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide a better user experience.

4.2 How We Use Cookies

Essential Cookies:

Required for website functionality
Remember form inputs and preferences
Cannot be disabled without affecting site performance

Analytics Cookies:

Google Analytics tracks anonymous usage data
Helps us understand how people use our site
No personally identifiable information collected

4.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies

Note: Blocking essential cookies may affect website functionality.

5. DATA SECURITY

5.1 How We Protect Your Information

Security measures include:

SSL Encryption: All data transmitted over HTTPS
Secure Servers: Data stored on protected servers
Payment Security: Credit cards processed by Stripe (PCI compliant)
Access Controls: Limited employee access to personal data
Regular Updates: Software and security patches applied promptly

5.2 Limitations

No system is 100% secure. While we implement reasonable security measures, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You use our service at your own risk.

Contractor Data Sharing: Once we share your information with contractors, we cannot control their security practices. Choose contractors carefully.

6. DATA RETENTION

6.1 How Long We Keep Data

Homeowner Data:

Service requests retained for 2 years for business records
Contact information retained until you request deletion
Anonymous usage data retained indefinitely for analytics

Contractor Data:

Active listings retained while contractors maintain listings
Billing records retained for 7 years (tax/accounting requirements)
Deleted listings removed within 30 days of account closure

7. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

7.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to:

Access: Request a copy of your personal information
Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

7.2 How to Exercise Rights

To request access, correction, or deletion:

Email: [email protected]
Subject: "Privacy Request"
Include: Your name, email, phone, and specific request
Response time: Within 30 days

7.3 Limitations on Deletion

We may retain certain information if:

Required by law (tax records, legal compliance)
Necessary for ongoing business operations
Already shared with contractors (we can't delete their copies)
Needed to resolve disputes or enforce agreements

8. CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS (CCPA)

8.1 California Residents

If you're a California resident, you have additional rights under CCPA:

Right to Know: What personal information we collect and how we use it
Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of sale of personal information (we don't sell)
Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices

8.2 We Do NOT Sell Personal Information

Important: Anderson SC Home Services Directory does NOT sell personal information to third parties. When we share your service request with contractors, this is part of our core service functionality - NOT a "sale" under CCPA.

9. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Our service is NOT directed to children under 13.

We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13
If we discover we've collected children's data, we'll delete it immediately
Parents: If you believe your child provided information, contact us immediately

10. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

10.1 Service Providers We Use

Our service integrates with:

GoHighLevel: CRM and website hosting (Privacy Policy)
Stripe: Payment processing (Privacy Policy)
Google Analytics: Website analytics (Privacy Policy)

10.2 External Links

Our website may contain links to contractor websites and other third-party sites. We're not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their privacy policies before providing information.