What personal data do we collect and why do we collect it

Comments

When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.

Media

If you upload images to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.

Cookies

If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.

If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.

If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.

Embedded content from other websites

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.

These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

Who do we share your data with

If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email.

How long we retain your data

If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.

For users who register on our website (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.

What rights do you have over your data

If you have an account on this site or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

A privacy policy for a distribution and supply company outlines how the company collects, uses, stores, and protects the personal information of customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. It ensures compliance with relevant privacy laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. Here’s a general overview of what a privacy policy for a distribution and supply company might include:

  1. Introduction
  • A statement explaining the company’s commitment to protecting privacy and complying with legal obligations.
  • Description of the types of information the company collects and the purposes for which it is collected.
  1. Information Collection
  • Types of Information Collected:
    • Personal Information: Names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, payment information, etc.
    • Business Information: Company details, orders, contracts, and other business-related data.
    • Log Data: Information collected automatically when visiting the company’s website or digital platforms, such as IP addresses and browser types.
  • How Information is Collected:
    • Directly from customers or suppliers through forms, orders, or contracts.
    • Automatically through the website or through customer interactions.
    • From third-party sources.
  1. Use of Information
  • How the company uses the collected information:
    • Fulfilling orders and providing services.
    • Communicating with customers or suppliers.
    • Processing payments.
    • Complying with legal obligations.
    • Improving products, services, and customer experience.
  1. Disclosure of Information
  • Circumstances under which personal information may be shared with third parties:
    • Service Providers: For functions like payment processing, logistics, or marketing.
    • Legal Obligations: If required by law or in response to legal proceedings.
    • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
  1. Data Storage and Security
  • Information on how personal data is stored securely, such as encryption, secure servers, and access control measures.
  • Retention periods: How long is personal information kept, and what is the process for securely disposing of it?
  1. Data Rights
  • Access and Correction: Customers and suppliers may have the right to access their personal data and request corrections.
  • Deletion and Restriction: The right to request the deletion or restriction of their data under certain circumstances.
  • Opt-Outs: Options for opting out of marketing communications.
  1. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
  • Use of cookies or other tracking technologies on the company’s website.
  • The purpose of these technologies is to improve website functionality or gather analytics.
  • How users can manage or disable cookies.
  1. International Data Transfers
  • If the company transfers personal information outside of its home country (e.g., to servers or partners in other regions), the privacy policy must explain the legal basis for such transfers and the safeguards in place.
  1. Children’s Privacy
  • A statement about not knowingly collecting information from children under a certain age (typically 13 or 16 depending on the region), if applicable.
  1. Changes to the Privacy Policy
  • How the company will notify users of changes to the privacy policy, and the importance of reviewing it regularly.
  1. Contact Information
  • Contact details for customers, suppliers, or other stakeholders to ask questions or raise concerns about their data privacy rights.