Privacy Policy

We're not gonna sell your data to some random third party or spam you with junk. Here's what we actually do with it:

• Project Communication: To respond to your inquiries, schedule consultations, send proposals, and keep you updated on your project's progress
• Service Delivery: Actually doing the work you've hired us for - designing, planning, consulting on your architectural needs
• Legal Stuff: Contracts, building permits, code compliance documentation - the boring but necessary paperwork
• Website Improvements: Analyzing how people use our site so we can make it less annoying and more useful
• Occasional Updates: Sending relevant info about our services, new projects, or industry insights - but only if you've said it's cool

Basically, we use your info to do our job and do it well. That's it.

We take security seriously, even though no system's perfect (anyone who tells you otherwise is lying). Here's what we've got in place:

• SSL encryption for data transmission - that little padlock icon in your browser
• Secure servers with regular backups stored in Canadian data centers
• Limited access - only our team members who need your info to do their job can see it
• Regular security audits and updates to keep things tight
• Secure file sharing platforms for project documents and architectural drawings

We're constantly updating our security measures because, let's face it, the digital landscape changes faster than building codes sometimes.

Sometimes we need to share your info to get the job done right. Here's the deal:

• Project Partners: Engineers, contractors, surveyors - the folks we work with to bring your project to life
• Municipal Authorities: City planning departments, building inspectors - gotta get those permits sorted
• Professional Consultants: Structural engineers, environmental specialists when projects need specialized expertise
• Legal & Financial: Our lawyers and accountants, but only when necessary for contract or tax purposes
• Service Providers: Cloud storage, email services - the tech that keeps our office running

We NEVER sell your personal information to marketers or third-party advertisers. Period.

Yeah, we use cookies - but not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately. These are small files that help our website function better.

Here's what they do:

• Essential Cookies: Make the site actually work - navigation, forms, security features
• Analytics: Help us understand how people use the site so we can improve it (we use privacy-focused tools)
• Preferences: Remember your settings so you don't have to keep re-entering stuff

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. Just keep in mind that blocking all cookies might make some features wonky.

It's your data, and you've got rights. Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA and all that), here's what you can do:

• Access: Ask us what personal info we have about you
• Correction: Tell us if something's wrong and we'll fix it
• Deletion: Request we delete your info (with some exceptions for legal/contractual obligations)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails anytime - there's always an unsubscribe link
• Data Portability: Get a copy of your data in a usable format
• Withdraw Consent: Change your mind about how we use your info

To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at info@arcanevalorium.info and we'll sort it out.

We don't hoard data forever - that'd be weird. Here's our retention approach:

• Active Projects: For the duration of the project plus seven years (legal requirement for architectural records in Canada)
• Inquiries: If you reach out but don't proceed, we keep your info for about two years in case you change your mind
• Marketing Contacts: Until you unsubscribe or we haven't heard from you in three years
• Financial Records: Seven years for tax and accounting purposes
• Website Analytics: Aggregated data for about 26 months

After these periods, we either delete or anonymize your data so it can't be traced back to you.

Our website might link to other sites - suppliers, inspiration galleries, building code resources, stuff like that. Once you click through to those sites, we're not responsible for their privacy practices.

We try to only link to reputable sources, but seriously, always check out the privacy policies of other sites you visit. Some of 'em can be pretty sketchy with data collection.

Same goes for any third-party tools we might embed - like Google Maps for directions to our office. Those services have their own privacy policies that govern how they handle your data.

Privacy laws change, technology evolves, and sometimes we need to update how we handle data. When we make changes to this policy, we'll update the date at the top and notify you if it's anything major.

For minor tweaks (fixing typos, clarifying language), we'll just update the page. For significant changes that affect how we use your data, we'll send an email to our contacts or post a notice on our website.

It's probably worth checking back here once in a while, especially if you're an ongoing client. We know it's not exactly riveting reading, but hey, it matters.

If you've got questions about this privacy policy, or concerns about how we're handling your data, don't hesitate to reach out. We'd rather hear from you directly than have you worrying about it.

We'll get back to you within a couple of business days, usually sooner.

If you believe we've violated your privacy rights, you can also file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. But honestly, we'd appreciate a chance to make things right first.