Welcome to Empire Rank ("Empire Rank", "we", "our", or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our mobile applications, APIs, or related services (collectively, the "Platform"). Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Platform.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information:
- Account Information: Name, email address, password, and profile details you provide when registering.
- Business Information: Business name, address, phone number, website, category, description, photos, and other details submitted for business listings.
- User Content: Reviews, ratings, comments, reactions, and other content you submit to the Platform.
- Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, search queries, clicks, time spent, and interaction patterns.
- Device & Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and referral URLs.
- Communications: Messages you send us via contact forms, support tickets, or email.
- Payment Information: Billing details processed through our third-party payment providers (we do not store full card numbers).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain the Platform and its features.
- Create and manage your account and business listings.
- Process payments and subscriptions.
- Calculate rankings, award badges, and detect fraudulent activity.
- Send transactional emails, service updates, and promotional communications (with your consent where required).
- Respond to inquiries, support requests, and feedback.
- Analyze usage trends to improve and develop the Platform.
- Enforce our Terms of Service and protect the rights, property, and safety of Empire Rank and its users.
- Comply with applicable laws and legal obligations.
3. Sharing of Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:
- Service Providers: Trusted third parties who assist us in operating the Platform, such as payment processors, cloud hosting providers, analytics services, and email delivery services.
- Business Partners: With your consent, we may share information with verified business partners.
- Legal Authorities: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or to protect our legal rights.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
- Public Information: Business listing details, reviews, ratings, and rankings are publicly visible on the Platform by design.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to:
- Keep you logged in and remember your preferences.
- Analyze Platform traffic and usage patterns.
- Detect and prevent fraudulent activity.
- Deliver relevant content and advertisements.
You may control cookie settings through your browser. Disabling cookies may limit certain Platform features.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When data is no longer required, we securely delete or anonymize it.
6. Security
We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations.
- Portability: Request transfer of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications at any time via unsubscribe links or account settings.
- Object: Object to certain processing activities, such as profiling for marketing purposes.
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.
8. Children's Privacy
The Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we become aware that a minor has provided us with personal data, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.
9. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and implement appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses where required.
10. Third-Party Links
The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new policy on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
12. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us through the contact information provided on the Empire Rank website.