Different kinds of data are handled in different ways. Instead of describing collection, use, and disclosure in separate chapters, this Privacy Policy takes each category of data in turn and explains, for that category, what it is, why the platform may process it, and where it may go. Topics that apply across all categories come afterwards.
The platform does not necessarily process every category. A category is relevant only if the platform has the feature that produces it. Websites and services operated by third parties fall outside this Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy is intended to address applicable privacy and data-protection requirements, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the UK GDPR and applicable UK data-protection legislation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), other U.S. state privacy laws, cookie and electronic communications rules, and other national, state, or regional privacy regulations, where those laws apply. Whether they apply depends on the visitor's location, the platform's activities, the type of information, and the technologies used.
IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, date and time of visits, and general geographic information. This data is collected automatically.
To operate and maintain the platform, provide its functionality, maintain security, and prevent spam, fraud, and abuse. Where a legal basis is required, this processing will usually rest on legitimate interests or, in some cases, compliance with legal obligations.
To hosting providers, content delivery networks, security services, spam-prevention tools, and other technical service providers.
Data stored or read by cookies and similar technologies, and analytics information about how the platform is used. The platform may use essential cookies, functional cookies, analytics cookies, advertising cookies, and third-party cookies, as well as pixels, tags, and similar tracking technologies. The technologies actually used vary from one website to another.
For functionality, for analytics and performance measurement, for understanding usage, and for improving the platform. The platform may use third-party analytics services to understand how visitors interact with it and to improve its performance. Where a legal basis is required, non-essential cookies may depend on consent where the law so requires.
To analytics providers and to other third parties whose cookies or tags are present.
Visitors may manage cookies through their browser settings, through cookie controls provided by the platform where available, and through consent management mechanisms where applicable.
Advertising cookies, device identifiers, and data produced by other advertising technologies. This category exists only if the platform displays third-party advertising, which it may not.
To display advertising, which may be contextual, personalized, or interest-based.
To advertising partners and advertising networks.
Visitors may have advertising choices, including browser settings, cookie controls, and opt-out mechanisms required by applicable law. If activities conducted through the platform constitute a "sale" or "sharing" of personal information under applicable law, eligible users may have the right to opt out.
Information a visitor enters in a contact form.
To respond to inquiries and to handle requests, including privacy requests. Where a legal basis is required, this may be legitimate interests, performance of a contract, or compliance with legal obligations, depending on the nature of the inquiry.
To service providers that support communications and hosting.
Registration or account information. This category exists only if registration is available.
To provide account functionality, prevent abuse, and enforce platform policies. Where a legal basis is required, this may be performance of a contract or legitimate interests.
To hosting and security providers.
Content a user submits for publication or listing. Where the platform provides the feature, this may include articles, business listings, directory listings, press releases, URLs, website submissions, bookmarks, comments, profiles, business information, contact information, images, documents, and other content.
To process user submissions, review submitted content, publish approved content, and manage listings.
To the public. Information voluntarily submitted for public display may be published publicly, accessible to visitors, indexed by search engines, cached by search engines, viewed by third parties, shared through external websites, and copied or redistributed outside the platform's control.
Users should not submit confidential, private, or sensitive personal information in content intended for public publication. Government identification numbers, financial account credentials, medical information, and other highly sensitive personal details should generally not be submitted through public submission forms unless specifically requested and necessary.
In jurisdictions where a legal basis is required, including GDPR jurisdictions, the possible bases are consent, performance of a contract, legitimate interests, and compliance with legal obligations. The applicable legal basis depends on the specific processing activity. The indications given under each category above are illustrative.
Any category may also be processed for legal and regulatory compliance and for enforcing platform policies.
The platform may use external hosting providers, analytics providers, advertising providers, security services, spam-prevention tools, content delivery networks, embedded media providers, social media services, technical service providers, and other vendors. Third parties may process information in accordance with their own privacy policies and legal obligations.
Where applicable and legally permitted, information in any category may be disclosed to professional advisers; to legal authorities, courts, regulators, and law enforcement; and to successors in connection with a merger, acquisition, restructuring, sale, or transfer of assets.
The platform may contain links to external websites, including within articles, press releases, directory entries, bookmarks, and listings. The platform does not control the privacy practices of external websites. Those websites have their own privacy policies, which visitors should review before providing personal information.
Personal information may be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for purposes including providing functionality, processing submissions, maintaining published content, administration, security, fraud prevention, recordkeeping, legal obligations, resolving disputes, and enforcing agreements.
Reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards may be used to protect personal information. No internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, and no guarantee is given that information will always be completely secure.
Information may be processed, stored, or transferred in countries other than the visitor's country of residence. Where applicable, legally required safeguards may be used for international transfers.
The platform is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children below the age required by applicable law. A parent or guardian who believes a child has submitted personal information may contact the platform through the Contact Us page.
Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals may be recognized where required by applicable law. Do Not Track signals have no common standard, and the platform may not respond to them unless required by law.
These rights depend on applicable law, may be subject to exceptions, and may require identity verification.
Right of access; right to correction or rectification; right to deletion or erasure; right to restrict processing; right to object; right to data portability; right to withdraw consent; right to lodge a complaint with an appropriate supervisory authority.
Corresponding rights under the UK GDPR and applicable UK data-protection legislation, including the right to complain to the UK supervisory authority.
Right to know; right to access; right to correct; right to delete; right to opt out of the sale of personal information where applicable; right to opt out of sharing for cross-context behavioral advertising where applicable; right to limit certain uses or disclosures of sensitive personal information where applicable; right to non-discrimination for exercising applicable privacy rights.
Residents of certain U.S. states may have privacy rights under applicable state laws, depending on place of residence, applicability thresholds, the platform's activities, and applicable law.
Requests relating to access, correction, deletion, data portability, restriction, objection, consent withdrawal, advertising opt-outs, sale or sharing opt-outs, and other legally available privacy rights may be made through the Contact Us page on the platform. Identity verification may be required, and additional information may be requested. Some requests may be subject to legal exceptions. Authorized agents may be handled where required by applicable law.
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically because of changes in functionality, data-processing practices, technologies, cookies, third-party services, business practices, applicable laws, or regulatory requirements. The revised Privacy Policy will be posted on the platform. This Privacy Policy becomes effective when published on the platform and may be revised from time to time.
Questions about any category of data, about privacy rights or requests, or about this Privacy Policy generally should be sent through the Contact Us page available on the platform.