Introduction
At Creative Net Media, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard the information you provide to us through our website at creativenetmedia.com.
We're a Montreal-based digital marketing agency, and we understand the importance of trust in our industry. This policy is written in plain English because we believe privacy shouldn't be complicated.
Information We Collect
Personal Information You Provide
When you interact with our website or services, we may collect:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, company name
- Project Details: Business information, project requirements, budget estimates, timelines
- Communication Records: Messages, emails, and other correspondence
- Billing Information: Payment details for invoicing and transaction processing
- Marketing Preferences: Newsletter subscriptions and communication choices
Information We Collect Automatically
When you visit our website, we automatically collect:
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, click patterns, referral sources
- Cookies and Tracking: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies
Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from:
- Analytics Providers: Google Analytics, website performance tools
- Social Media Platforms: When you interact with our social media content
- Business Partners: Referral partners and collaborative service providers
Legal Basis for Processing (Why We Process Your Data)
We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: When you explicitly agree to marketing communications or non-essential cookies
- Contract Performance: To provide requested services and fulfill business agreements
- Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, conduct analytics, and grow our business
- Legal Compliance: To meet our obligations under Canadian privacy laws and business regulations
How We Use Your Information
Primary Business Purposes
- Service Delivery: Preparing for consultations, providing marketing materials, project management
- Communication: Responding to inquiries, providing customer support, sending service updates
- Billing and Invoicing: Processing payments and maintaining financial records
- Business Development: Understanding client needs and improving our service offerings
Marketing and Communications
- Newsletter and Updates: Sharing industry insights, company news, and service updates
- Promotional Content: Information about new services, special offers, and relevant events
- Educational Content: Tips, guides, and resources related to digital marketing
Important: You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting us directly.
Website Improvement
- Analytics: Understanding how visitors use our website to improve user experience
- Performance Monitoring: Ensuring our website functions properly and loads quickly
- Security: Protecting against fraud, spam, and other malicious activities
Data Retention Policy
We keep your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:
Retention Periods
- Active Client Data: For the duration of our business relationship plus 7 years for financial records
- Prospect Information: Up to 3 years from last contact or until you request deletion
- Marketing Communications: Until you unsubscribe or request removal
- Website Analytics: Anonymized after 26 months (Google Analytics standard)
- Support Communications: 2 years from resolution date
Data Deletion
When retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize your personal information unless we're required by law to keep it longer.
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We DO NOT Sell Your Information
Creative Net Media does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
When We Share Information
Service Providers
We may share information with trusted third parties who help us operate our business:
- Payment processors for billing and invoicing
- Email service providers for marketing communications
- Analytics providers for website performance
- Cloud storage providers for data hosting
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required by law or to:
- Protect our legal rights or defend against legal claims
- Investigate fraud or security breaches
- Respond to court orders, subpoenas, or government requests
- Protect the safety of our users or the general public
Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
International Data Transfers
As a Canadian company, we primarily store and process data within Canada. However, some of our service providers may be located outside Canada, including in the United States.
When we transfer your personal information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:
- Adequacy decisions by privacy regulators
- Standard contractual clauses
- Privacy certification programs
Data Security
Our Security Measures
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:
- Encryption: SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
- Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Regular Updates: Keeping our systems and software current with security patches
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for potential security threats
Your Responsibility
While we take security seriously, please help us protect your information by:
- Using strong passwords for any accounts
- Not sharing login credentials
- Reporting any suspected security breaches immediately
Important: No internet transmission is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us improve your browsing experience.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
Required for website functionality:
- Session management
- Security features
- Basic website operations
Analytics Cookies
Help us understand website usage:
- Google Analytics
- Page performance monitoring
- User behavior analysis
Marketing Cookies
Used for advertising and personalization:
- Conversion tracking
- Retargeting capabilities
- Social media integration
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Google Analytics Opt-Out: Visit Google Analytics Opt-out to exclude your data from our analytics.
Your Rights and Choices
Under Canadian privacy laws, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Access and Correction
- Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to Correction: Ask us to correct or update inaccurate information
Data Portability and Deletion
- Right to Portability: Receive your data in a commonly used format
- Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
Communication Preferences
- Right to Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
- Right to Object: Object to certain types of data processing
How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us through our contact form or email us directly. We'll respond within 30 days of receiving your request.
Children's Privacy
Creative Net Media does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. Our services are designed for businesses and adult decision-makers.
If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will:
- Delete the information immediately
- Not use the information for any purpose
- Not disclose the information to third parties
If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
Third-Party Links and Services
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with external services that are not operated by Creative Net Media.
Important: When you click these links or use these services, you leave our website and are subject to their privacy policies. We encourage you to review their privacy practices before providing any personal information.
Common Third-Party Services We May Link To:
- Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)
- Industry resources and tools
- Partner websites and services
- Payment processing platforms
Do Not Track Disclosure
Currently, our website does not respond to "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals sent by web browsers. However, you can control tracking through:
- Browser cookie settings
- Our cookie preference center
- Third-party opt-out tools (like Google Analytics opt-out)
Our third-party partners may also collect information about your online activities across different websites and services. These partners may not respond to DNT signals, and we cannot control their tracking practices.
Privacy Laws and Compliance
Quebec Law 25
As a Quebec-based company, we comply with Quebec's Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (Law 25), which includes:
- Enhanced consent requirements
- Mandatory breach notifications
- Strengthened individual rights
- Privacy impact assessments for high-risk processing
Federal Privacy Laws
We also comply with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable federal privacy legislation.
GDPR Compliance
For any European Union residents who may interact with our services, we follow GDPR principles including:
- Lawful basis for processing
- Data minimization
- Purpose limitation
- Individual rights protection
Privacy Policy Updates
This privacy policy is effective as of [Date] and may be updated periodically to reflect:
- Changes in our business practices
- New legal requirements
- Enhanced privacy protections
- Feedback from users
How We Notify You of Changes
- Major Changes: We'll notify you via email or prominent website notice
- Minor Updates: Posted on this page with updated "Last Modified" date
- Your Continued Use: Constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.
