Privacy Policy
At meerkatmatch.com (“we,” “us,” “our”), we recognize the paramount importance of safeguarding your personal data and are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with applicable data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), and other relevant laws. This Privacy Policy describes how your information is collected, used, disclosed, and protected when you interact with our website and services.
1. Commitment to Privacy and Data Protection
We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of privacy and data protection. Our approach follows the principles of data minimization, transparency, fairness, and accountability. We only collect personal data where lawful and necessary, and we rely on secure technologies and processes to handle your information responsibly.
2. Scope of Policy and Data Controller Role
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of meerkatmatch.com, including visitors, registered users, and customers utilizing our services. For purposes of data protection legislation, Meerkat Match is the data controller of the personal data we collect through this website. If you have any questions or concerns, you may reach us at [email protected].
3. Categories of Data Processed
We process a variety of personal data, categorized as follows:
a) Usage Data
This includes information such as your IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, referring/exit pages, clickstream data, and other technical data related to how you interact with our site.
b) Account Data
When registering an account, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and login credentials.
c) Profile Data
Data you provide voluntarily as part of building your user profile, including personal preferences, behavior within the site, purchase history, and saved searches or activity.
d) Communication Data
Includes correspondence you send to us, such as support inquiries, chat transcripts, feedback, complaints, or any communication history with our customer support.
e) Technical Data
Includes device information such as device model, hardware specifications, operating system, browser configuration, and diagnostic data.
f) Transaction Data
This encompasses payment details, billing/shipping address, and purchase records necessary to process transactions and deliver services to you.
g) Preference Data
Data related to your consents for marketing communications, advertising preferences, opt-in/out decisions, and selected areas of product or content interest.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
We process personal data lawfully under the following legal grounds:
– Contractual Necessity: When processing is necessary to fulfill a contract with you (e.g., providing account access, customer support, or processing transactions).
– Legitimate Interests: Where we have a reasonable interest in operating and improving our services and such interests do not override your data protection rights.
– Consent: For specific types of data processing (e.g., receiving marketing communications), we rely on your explicit consent, which can be withdrawn at any time.
– Legal Obligation: In instances where we are required to process or retain data for regulatory compliance.
5. Your Rights
Under data protection laws, you may exercise the following rights at any time:
– Right of Access: Obtain confirmation of whether your data is being processed and access a copy of such data.
– Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
– Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data, subject to legal and contractual limitations.
– Right to Restriction: Request that processing of your data be restricted under certain circumstances.
– Right to Data Portability: Obtain a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format and transfer it to another controller.
To exercise any of these rights, you may contact us at [email protected]. Verification of identity may be required in some cases.
6. Security Measures
To ensure the protection of your personal information, we implement a comprehensive range of technical and organizational measures. These include but are not limited to:
– Encrypted communication via HTTPS/SSL
– Restricted access to personal data through role-based controls
– Regular data backups across secure servers
– Ongoing security awareness and training for personnel
– Secure storage and limited retention of payment data, in compliance with PCI DSS standards
While no system is entirely immune to risk, we actively monitor and enhance our security practices to meet evolving industry standards.
7. International Data Transfers
If and when your personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or other applicable jurisdictions, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place. These may include the use of Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission or equivalent legal transfer frameworks. We assess the adequacy of data protection in recipient countries consistent with regional obligations.
8. Data Retention
Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or to comply with applicable laws. Our standard retention practices include:
– Usage Data: Up to 12 months
– Account and Profile Data: Retained while account is active, and up to 6 years thereafter based on statutory limitation periods
– Communication and Support Data: Retained for 3 years
– Transaction Data: Retained for tax and financial compliance for a minimum of 7 years
– Cookie and Preference Data: Retained according to user settings and technical expiration periods (typically up to 13 months)
9. Cookie Policy
meerkatmatch.com uses cookies and similar technologies to help recognize your device, enhance site performance, analyze traffic, and personalize your experience. Cookies may be categorized as follows:
– Essential Cookies: Necessary for operating the website and enabling core functionality (e.g., session management, authentication)
– Functional Cookies: Enhance site usability and remember user preferences
– Performance and Analytics Cookies: Gather data to improve site structure and performance, often via third-party services like Google Analytics
– Advertising Cookies: Track individual usage to deliver relevant marketing content (only with user consent)
10. Cookie Management and Legal Compliance
In accordance with the GDPR and CCPA, we obtain user consent before placing non-essential cookies and provide clear options to manage cookie preferences via a consent banner at first interaction. You may withdraw consent or change settings at any time via your browser or our Cookie Settings page. Users may also opt out of data selling requests under the CCPA via applicable notices.
11. Children’s Privacy
meerkatmatch.com does not knowingly collect or process personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that such data has been collected without verifiable parental consent, we will take steps to delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe that their child has submitted personal data may contact us at [email protected].
12. Policy Updates and User Notifications
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. In case of substantial changes, we will notify users through the website or via contact information provided. Continued use of meerkatmatch.com after such updates constitutes your acknowledgment and agreement to the amended policy.
13. Contact
If you have any questions, requests, or concerns relating to this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:
Data Protection Officer
Email: [email protected]
We are committed to maintaining full compliance with all applicable privacy laws and ensuring transparency and respect for your personal data. For any privacy-related matters, you are encouraged to reach out to us via the contact information above.