Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

At Embrace Ideas, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our climate and energy analysis platform.

By using our service, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use our service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Account information (name, email address, company name)
• Profile information (job title, professional background)
• Payment information (billing address, payment method details)
• Communication data (support requests, feedback, survey responses)
• Project data (building locations, analysis parameters, results)

2.2 Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information about your use of our service:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage patterns (pages visited, features used, time spent)
• Performance data (loading times, error logs)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2.3 Technical Data

We collect technical information to improve our service performance and security, including server logs, system diagnostics, and aggregated usage statistics.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: Provide climate analysis tools and generate reports
• Account Management: Create and maintain your account, process payments
• Communication: Send service updates, support responses, and important notices
• Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to enhance our platform features
• Security: Monitor for fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
• Compliance: Meet legal obligations and enforce our terms of service
• Research: Conduct anonymized research to advance climate analysis methods

We process your personal information based on legitimate business interests, contractual necessity, and your consent where required by law.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform, including cloud hosting, payment processing, and customer support services.

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users.

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the business transaction.

4.4 Aggregated Data

We may share anonymized, aggregated data that cannot identify individual users for research, industry analysis, or business development purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Secure data centers with physical security measures
• Employee training on data protection practices
• Incident response procedures for security breaches

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but will notify you of any significant security incidents as required by law.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 3 years after closure
• Project Data: Retained for 7 years for analysis and support purposes
• Usage Data: Retained for 2 years for service improvement
• Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer to comply with legal obligations

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and contractual requirements.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request copies of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Restriction: Limit how we process your information
• Objection: Object to certain types of processing
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for consent-based processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at admin@embrace.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze service usage:

8.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic platform functionality
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how you use our service
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Analytics Cookies: Provide insights into service usage patterns

8.2 Cookie Management

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our service.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Adequacy decisions by data protection authorities
• Certification schemes and codes of conduct
• Binding corporate rules for intra-group transfers

We will only transfer your data to countries that provide adequate protection or where we have implemented appropriate safeguards.

10. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Sending email notifications to registered users
• Displaying prominent notices on our platform

Your continued use of our service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

13. Regulatory Compliance

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with applicable data protection laws, including:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - European Union
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) - California, USA
• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) - Canada
• Other applicable local and international privacy laws

If you believe we have not handled your personal information in accordance with applicable law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.