Look, we get it - nobody actually enjoys reading privacy policies. But since we're asking you to trust us with your info when you reach out about a project or just browse around, we figured we owe you some straight talk about what we do with it.
When you contact us or fill out forms on our site, we'll grab some basic stuff like your name, email, phone number, and whatever details you share about your project. If you're just browsing, our server logs might catch your IP address and what browser you're using - pretty standard stuff.
We don't go crazy with tracking cookies or anything sketchy. We're architects, not data miners. The info we collect is what we actually need to do our job and get back to you about your project.
Here's the deal - we use your info to respond to your inquiries, send project proposals, keep you updated if you're a client, and occasionally share news about what we're working on (but only if you're cool with that).
We're not selling your email to some random marketing company or anything shady like that. Your contact info stays with us, period. Sometimes we'll bring in consultants or contractors for a project, and yeah, they might need to know who you are, but they're bound by the same privacy standards we follow.
Since we're based in Toronto, we follow PIPEDA - that's Canada's privacy law. Basically, it means you've got rights:
Just shoot us an email at studio@hefowenquigequint.info if you wanna exercise any of these rights. We'll get back to you within 30 days.
We use encrypted connections (that's the HTTPS thing in your browser), password-protected systems, and regular backups. Our email and file storage providers are Canadian companies that also comply with PIPEDA.
Any printed documents with client info get locked up in our studio. When we're done with them, they're shredded - not just tossed in the recycling bin where anyone could grab them.
We use a few external services to keep things running smoothly - stuff like email providers, cloud storage, and maybe some project management tools. All of these are reputable companies with their own privacy policies.
We don't embed social media tracking pixels or analytics tools that follow you around the web. If we ever add something like that, we'll update this policy and let you know.
If you reached out but didn't end up working with us, we'll keep your contact info for about a year - just in case you change your mind or have another project down the road. After that, it gets deleted unless you've asked us to stay in touch.
For actual clients, we're legally required to keep project files and related correspondence for seven years after completion. That's a Canadian accounting and legal thing, not us being packrats. Once that period's up, we'll securely dispose of everything except portfolio materials (and we'll ask permission before using those).
We're pretty minimal when it comes to cookies. Our site might use a session cookie to keep track of your navigation while you're browsing, but that's about it. No creepy behavioral tracking or advertising networks here.
If you've disabled cookies in your browser, our site will still work just fine. You might have to re-enter some info if you're filling out a contact form, but that's the only real difference.
We might update this privacy policy from time to time - usually if we start using a new tool or service, or if privacy laws change. When we do, we'll update the date at the top and post the new version here.
For major changes that affect how we handle your data, we'll send an email to anyone we've got on file. But honestly, we're a small architectural studio, not a tech giant - we're not planning any dramatic shifts in how we operate.
If something here doesn't make sense or you've got questions about how we handle your info, just reach out. We're pretty casual folks and happy to chat.
Email: studio@hefowenquigequint.info
Phone: (416) 555-0892
Mail: 1247 Queen Street West, Suite 304, Toronto, ON M6K 1L6
If you think we've mishandled your personal info and talking to us directly doesn't resolve it, you've got the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. We'd rather work it out with you directly, but that option's there if you need it.
You can reach them at 1-800-282-1376 or visit priv.gc.ca
