Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 15, 2025
Last Updated: June 15, 2025

Your Privacy Matters to Us

At Cyber Smart Seniors, we understand that privacy and security are especially important to our community. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your personal information when you use our website, subscribe to our services, or interact with our educational content.

We've written this policy in plain language to make it easy to understand. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account Information: When you create an account or subscribe to our premium services, we collect:

• Name and email address
• Password (encrypted and never stored in plain text)
• Billing address and payment information (processed securely through Stripe)
• Phone number (if you choose to provide it)

Communication with Us: When you contact us through any method, we collect:

• Your name, email address, and contact information
• The content of your messages, questions, or feedback
• Any information you choose to share about your technology experience or concerns

Newsletter and Content Requests: When you sign up for our newsletter, download our free cybersecurity guide, or request other content, we collect your email address and any optional information you provide.

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

Website Usage: When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• Your IP address and general location (city/state level)
• Browser type and device information
• Pages you visit and time spent on our website
• How you found our website (search engines, direct links, etc.)

Email Engagement: When you receive our emails, we track:

• Whether you opened the email
• Which links you clicked
• Your email preferences and subscription status

Podcast Analytics: Through podcast platforms, we may receive anonymized data about:

• Download numbers and geographic regions
• Device types used for listening
• Popular episodes and listening duration

1.3 Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies (small text files) and similar technologies to:

• Remember your login status and preferences
• Improve website performance and user experience
• Analyze website traffic and content effectiveness
• Provide relevant content recommendations

You can control cookies through your browser settings, though some features may not work properly if cookies are disabled.

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Providing Our Services

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Process subscription payments and renewals
• Deliver premium content, articles, and newsletters
• Provide customer support and respond to your questions
• Send important account and service updates

2.2 Improving Our Educational Content

We analyze how our content is used to:

• Understand which topics are most helpful to seniors
• Improve our articles, podcasts, and educational materials
• Develop new content that addresses your needs and interests
• Ensure our guidance remains current and effective

2.3 Communication and Marketing

By contacting us for any reason - including through our Contact Us form, requesting our free cybersecurity guide, signing up for our newsletter, or any other interaction - you are consenting to receive communications from Cyber Smart Seniors in any form, including:

• Email newsletters and educational content
• Postal mail with important updates or educational materials
• SMS/text messaging for urgent security alerts or account information
• Phone calls for customer service or account-related matters

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe links in our emails or by contacting us directly. However, we may still send you important account-related and transactional messages.

2.4 AI-Assisted Content Creation

Some of our educational content may be created or enhanced using artificial intelligence technology. For detailed information about our AI content creation practices, please refer to our Terms of Service. When AI assists in content creation:

• We maintain editorial oversight and review all content for accuracy
• No personal user data is used to train AI systems
• AI-generated content is treated with the same privacy protections as human-created content

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 We Do Not Currently Sell Your Personal Information

Cyber Smart Seniors does not currently sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. However, we may in the future consider partnerships with carefully selected companies that could provide valuable services or benefits to our community. If we ever consider such partnerships involving your personal information, we will:

• Notify you in advance with clear details about the partnership
• Give you the option to opt out of any data sharing
• Ensure any partner companies maintain the same high standards for data protection
• Only work with companies whose services align with our mission to help seniors stay safe online

3.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted service providers who help us operate our business:

Payment Processing: We use Stripe to process subscription payments. Stripe maintains PCI compliance and industry-standard security measures. We never store your complete credit card information on our servers.

Email Services: We use email service providers to send newsletters and communications. These providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for our specified purposes.

Website Analytics: We use analytics services to understand how our website is used. This data is typically anonymized or aggregated.

Podcast Hosting: Podcast platforms may collect anonymized listening data that helps us understand our audience.

3.3 Senior Living Community Partnerships

For institutional subscribers (assisted living facilities, CCRCs, etc.):

• We may share account usage data with facility administrators for educational program evaluation
• Individual resident content preferences and personal information remain private
• Facilities cannot access individual accounts or personal communications
• We clearly disclose when accounts are part of institutional subscriptions

3.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, such as:

• Responding to valid legal process (subpoenas, court orders)
• Protecting our rights, property, or safety
• Investigating potential fraud or security incidents
• Complying with law enforcement requests

3.5 Business Transfers

If Cyber Smart Seniors is acquired by or merged with another company, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and how it affects your privacy rights.

4. Family Members and Authorized Access

4.1 Account Assistance

We understand that family members sometimes help seniors with technology. However:

• Each account belongs to the individual subscriber
• We cannot share account information with family members without explicit permission
• If you need family assistance with your account, you can provide us with a valid Power of Attorney document to authorize access for a family member or trusted individual

4.2 Family-Funded Accounts

• Family-funded accounts still belong to the individual user and subscriber
• The subscription recipient maintains full control over their account and privacy settings

5. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

5.1 Account Access and Control

You can:

• Access and update your account information at any time
• Request a copy of your personal data
• Delete your account (though some information may be retained for legal or business purposes)
• Change your communication preferences

5.2 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of marketing emails by:

• Clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email
• Contacting us directly at support@cybersmartseniors.com

5.3 State Privacy Rights

California Residents: Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have additional rights including:

• The right to know what personal information we collect and how it's used
• The right to delete your personal information
• The right to opt-out of sales of personal information (note our current practices in Section 3.1)
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

Other State Rights: Residents of Virginia, Colorado, and other states with privacy laws may have similar rights. Contact us to learn about your specific rights.

5.4 International Users

While our services are primarily designed for U.S. residents, international users have rights under their local privacy laws. We will work with you to honor reasonable privacy requests consistent with applicable laws.

6. How We Protect Your Information

6.1 Security Measures

We implement multiple layers of security:

• Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
• Secure password storage using industry-standard hashing (handled by our subscription management provider, Memberstack)
• Regular security audits and updates
• Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure payment processing handled by Stripe, our PCI-compliant payment processor

6.2 Data Retention

Account Information: We retain your account information as long as your account is active, plus a reasonable period afterward for business and legal purposes.

Communication Records: We may retain records of your communications with us to improve our service and for legal compliance.

Analytics Data: Website and content usage data is typically retained for analytical purposes but is anonymized when possible.

Payment Information: Payment records are retained as required by law and business needs, though sensitive payment details are handled by our payment processor.

6.3 Data Breaches

In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your personal information:

• We will notify you promptly as required by law
• We will provide clear information about what happened and what we're doing to address it
• We will offer assistance and resources to help protect you from potential harm

7. Special Considerations for Seniors

7.1 No Health Information Collection

While we provide educational content about health-related technology, we do not collect, store, or process your personal health information. Our health and wellness content is for educational purposes only.

7.2 Financial Information Protection

Despite covering financial technology topics, we only collect payment information necessary for subscriptions. We do not access or store information about your bank accounts, investments, or other financial details.

7.3 Scam Prevention

In accordance with our mission to protect seniors from scams:

• We will never ask for sensitive information via email or phone
• We will never request remote access to your devices
• Legitimate communications from us will always be verifiable through your account
• When in doubt, contact us directly through official channels

7.4 Clear Communication

We commit to:

• Using plain language in all privacy communications
• Providing email support for privacy-related concerns
• Ensuring you understand any changes to our privacy practices
• Supporting seniors in becoming comfortable with electronic communication, which is increasingly the standard for customer service and support

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we discover we have collected information from someone under 18, we will delete it promptly.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website and content may include links to third-party websites, such as:

• Technology company support pages
• Government resources for seniors
• Recommended security tools
• Social media platforms

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

10.1 Notification of Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in our services or business practices
• New legal requirements
• Enhanced security measures
• User feedback and requests

10.2 How We Notify You

When we make significant changes:

• We will post the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
• We will send email notification to subscribers about material changes
• We will provide a summary of key changes in plain language
• The updated policy will take effect 30 days after notification (unless immediate changes are required by law)

10.3 Your Acceptance

Continued use of our services after policy changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. If you don't agree with changes, you can cancel your account before they take effect.

11. Contact Us About Privacy

11.1 Privacy Questions and Requests

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

Email: privacy@cybersmartseniors.com

11.2 Response Times

We will respond to privacy inquiries within:

• 5 business days for general questions
• 30 days for formal privacy rights requests (or as required by applicable law)
• 48 hours for urgent security-related concerns

11.3 Escalation

If you're not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you may:

• Contact your state's attorney general office
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
• Seek assistance from applicable privacy authorities in your jurisdiction

Summary

Your privacy and security are fundamental to our mission at Cyber Smart Seniors. We collect only the information necessary to provide our educational services, we protect it with strong security measures, and we give you control over how it's used.

We're committed to transparency and will always explain our privacy practices in clear, understandable terms. If you ever have questions or concerns about your privacy, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for trusting Cyber Smart Seniors with your information and for being part of our community dedicated to safer, smarter technology use.

By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.