Privacy Policy

2.1 Personal Information: We may collect the following personal information:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number, postal address)
• Business information (business name, industry, website URL)
• Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Communication records (emails, messages, call recordings if applicable)
• Project-related information (requirements, preferences, feedback)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information: When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• IP address and location data
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Date and time of visits

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and assist with marketing efforts. See our Cookie Policy section below for more details.

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To provide, maintain, and improve our website design and development services
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries, send project updates, and provide customer support
• Payment Processing: To process payments and manage billing
• Marketing: To send promotional materials, newsletters, and special offers (with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time)
• Analytics: To analyze website usage, improve user experience, and optimize our services
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
• Security: To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you have given clear consent for specific processing activities
• Contract Performance: To fulfill our contractual obligations to you
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Legitimate Interests: For our legitimate business interests, such as improving services and marketing (where balanced against your rights)

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

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business (e.g., hosting providers, payment processors, email services, analytics providers)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (with notice to affected users)
• Protection of Rights: To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or others
• With Your Consent: When you have explicitly consented to sharing

Third-Party Services We Use:

• Plausible Analytics: Privacy-friendly website analytics (see Plausible's data policy)
• Google Analytics/Ads: For website analytics and advertising (see Google's privacy policy)
• Resend: For email delivery services (see Resend's privacy policy)
• Payment Processors: For secure payment processing (subject to their respective privacy policies)

6.1 What Are Cookies: Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide a better user experience and analyze website traffic.

6.2 Types of Cookies We Use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly (e.g., authentication, security)
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., Plausible Analytics, Google Analytics)
• Marketing Cookies: Used to track visitors across websites for advertising purposes (e.g., Google Ads)
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

6.3 Managing Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
• Secure hosting infrastructure
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and authentication
• Employee training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Specifically:

• Active Clients: Data is retained while you are an active client and for a reasonable period thereafter
• Marketing Data: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Legal Requirements: As required by applicable laws (e.g., tax records, contract records)
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained for longer periods

If you are located in the EEA or UK, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations)
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of how we process your data
• Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise these rights, please contact us at corey@darkdesignstudio.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

12.1 Opt-In: We will only send you marketing communications if you have consented or if we have a legitimate interest (and you have not opted out).

12.2 Opt-Out: You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by:

• Clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email
• Contacting us at corey@darkdesignstudio.co.uk

12.3 Service Communications: You cannot opt out of essential service-related communications (e.g., project updates, billing information).