PRIVACY POLICY
1. Introduction
At United Caring Shelters, we are firmly committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring the protection of your personal data. We believe privacy is a fundamental right and treat your information with the highest standards of security and confidentiality. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and secure your personal information when you visit or interact with our website (unitedcaringshelters.com), and outlines your rights under applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
2. Scope of Policy and Data Controller Role
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our website, unitedcaringshelters.com, including donors, volunteers, supporters, and visitors. United Caring Shelters is the data controller responsible for processing your personal information in accordance with this policy.
Should you have any questions regarding this policy or the handling of your personal data, please contact us at: [email protected].
3. Categories of Data Processed
We may collect the following categories of personal data:
a. Usage Data
Includes information about how you use our website, such as browser type, IP address, access timestamps, pages viewed, and duration of visit.
b. Account Data
Includes your name, postal address, email address, telephone number, and any other information provided during account creation or donor registration.
c. Profile Data
Includes your preferences, interests, donation history, behavioral patterns on our website, and participation in United Caring Shelters initiatives.
d. Communication Data
Includes messages, inquiries, and correspondence exchanged via our contact forms, helpdesk, or email communications.
e. Technical Data
Includes information collected from your device and system configuration, such as operating system, device type, language settings, and unique device identifiers.
f. Transaction Data
Includes details of donations, payment method, transaction ID, delivery address for materials, and billing information where applicable.
g. Preference Data
Includes your communication preferences, subscription status to newsletters or updates, and marketing consent records.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
In compliance with the GDPR, we process your personal data using one or more of the following legal bases:
– Consent: Where you have explicitly granted us permission to process specific personal data.
– Contract: Where processing is necessary for the performance of a contract or preliminary steps at your request.
– Legal Obligation: Where processing is required for compliance with legal responsibilities.
– Legitimate Interests: Where processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, such as improving user experience, website security, or organizational outreach — provided your rights and freedoms are not overridden.
5. Your Rights
Under applicable data protection laws, you have the following rights:
– Right of Access: To request confirmation of whether we hold your personal data and obtain a copy.
– Right to Rectification: To request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
– Right to Erasure: To request we delete your personal data, subject to certain conditions.
– Right to Restriction: To request restriction of processing in specific circumstances.
– Right to Data Portability: To receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format for transfer to another controller.
– Right to Object: To object to certain data processing, including direct marketing.
– Right to Withdraw Consent: To withdraw consent at any time where processing relies on consent.
To exercise any of the above rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to verified requests in accordance with applicable laws.
6. Security Measures
We employ industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:
– Secure socket layer (SSL) encryption
– Access controls and authentication measures
– Regular data backups and system monitoring
– Employee training in data protection practices
Despite our efforts, no system can be completely secure. We encourage you to use caution when transmitting personal information online.
7. International Transfers
Personal data collected via unitedcaringshelters.com may be transferred to, and stored in, countries outside your jurisdiction, including those not recognized as providing adequate data protection levels under the GDPR. Where such transfers occur, we implement safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses and ensure alignment with local legal requirements to protect your rights and data.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and in accordance with legal, tax, and accounting requirements. Specific retention timelines include:
– Account and Profile Data: Retained during the active relationship and up to seven years after deactivation
– Transaction Data: Retained for up to ten years for regulatory compliance
– Communication Data: Retained for up to five years from last contact
– Usage, Technical, and Preference Data: Retained for up to three years for analytics and system integrity
9. Cookie Policy
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit a website. Types of cookies we use include:
– Essential Cookies: Necessary for site functionality, such as secure login and donation processing.
– Functional Cookies: Enable personalization features like remembered preferences.
– Analytics Cookies: Collect aggregated data on how users interact with our website.
– Performance Cookies: Help us understand performance issues and measure site reliability.
10. Cookie Management and Compliance
Upon your first visit to unitedcaringshelters.com, you will be prompted with a consent banner giving you control over cookie choices in accordance with GDPR and CCPA requirements. You can change your cookie preferences at any time via your browser settings or by revisiting the cookie consent tool available on the site.
Under California law, residents have the right to opt out of the “sale” of their personal information, if applicable. While United Caring Shelters does not sell personal data as traditionally defined, certain data sharing practices may qualify as a “sale” under CCPA. You may submit a Do Not Sell My Information request via [email protected].
11. Special Protections for Children Under 13
We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal data from children under the age of 13. If we discover that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verified parental consent, we will promptly delete such information. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided us with personal information may contact us at [email protected].
12. Policy Updates & User Notifications
We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or our data practices. Material changes will be communicated through prominent notices on our website or via email, where applicable. Your continued use of unitedcaringshelters.com following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Contact
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://unitedcaringshelters.com
We are committed to complying with all applicable data protection laws, including the GDPR and CCPA. Your trust is important to us, and we welcome any inquiries regarding how we protect and handle your personal information.