Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how [Legal Entity Name] ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information in connection with the [Program Name] website and services. By using the service, you agree to this Policy.

1. Information we collect

Information you give us:

• Contact and business details you submit through our forms (name, email, phone, business name, address, category).
• Application information and any correspondence with us.
• Payment information, processed by our payment provider. We do not store full card numbers ourselves.

Information we collect automatically:

• Usage and device data such as IP address, browser type, pages viewed, and referring links, through cookies and analytics.

Information from public and third-party sources:

• As part of our methodology, we collect publicly available signals about businesses, such as domain registration age, archived web content, business listings, and public review counts and ratings. We may collect this for businesses that have not applied, in order to evaluate them against our criteria.

2. How we use information

We use information to evaluate businesses against our methodology, to contact operators, to process applications and payments, to produce and publish winner pages and assets, to operate and improve the website, to send program communications, and to comply with law.

3. How we share information

• Service providers: payment processing, hosting, email and outreach, and analytics providers who act on our behalf.
• Public winner pages: if a business is awarded, its name, location, category, and award status are published publicly on our website and may appear in program communications and press.
• Legal: when required by law, to protect our rights, or in connection with a business transfer.
• We do not sell your personal information for money. [If analytics or advertising tools count as "sharing" under California law, say so here and provide the opt-out link.]

4. Cookies and tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for site functionality and analytics. You can control cookies through your browser. We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals as a valid opt-out of sale or sharing where applicable.

5. Email choices

Every commercial email we send includes a way to opt out. If you opt out, we stop sending you marketing email. We may still send transactional messages about an active application or award.

6. Data retention

We keep information for as long as needed to run the program, meet legal and tax obligations, and resolve disputes. We retain proof of consent to recurring billing for at least the period required by law. [Confirm specific retention periods with counsel.]

7. Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your California privacy rights

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect, use, and share.
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions.
• Correct inaccurate personal information.
• Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information.
• Limit the use of sensitive personal information, if we use any.
• Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

To make a request, contact us at [privacy contact email] or [second request method]. We will verify your request before acting on it. You may use an authorized agent.

9. Other states and regions

Residents of other states with privacy laws may have similar rights. [Add or adjust as you expand. If you ever knowingly collect data from people in the EU or UK, a GDPR section and a legal-basis statement are needed.]

10. Public information notice

The award program is public by design. Information about awarded businesses is intended to be displayed publicly. If you do not want a winner page published, do not complete an application.

11. Children

The service is for businesses and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

12. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy. We will post the new version with a new effective date and review it at least annually.

13. Contact

[Legal Entity Name]
[Physical mailing address]
[Privacy contact email]