Privacy Policy for The Local Brand® (www.thelocalbrand.com)

Effective Date: 4^th July 2023

At The Local Brand® (hereinafter referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”), we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your information when you visit our website, www.thelocalbrand.com (the “Website”).

By accessing or using our Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Website.

1. Collection of Information

1.1 Personal Information: When you visit our Website, we may collect certain personal information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, and contact information. We will only collect personal information that is relevant and necessary for the purposes stated in this policy.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information: We may also collect certain information automatically when you visit our Website, including your IP address, browser type, referring website, pages visited, and other statistical data. This information is used to analyze trends, administer the Website, and gather demographic information.

2. Use of Information

2.1 We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:

   a) To provide and maintain our Website, including improving and personalizing your experience.

   b) To send you updates, newsletters, marketing communications, and other information related to our services.

   c) To respond to your inquiries, comments, or requests.

   d) To enforce our Terms of Service and other policies.

   e) To comply with legal obligations or protect our rights, property, or safety.

3. Disclosure of Information

3.1 We may disclose your information to third parties in the following circumstances:

   a) Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Website, conducting business, or providing services to you. These providers are bound by confidentiality obligations and are prohibited from using your information for any purpose other than as instructed by us.

   b) Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.

   c) Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

4. Publishing Rights and Copyright Policy

4.1 Publishing Rights: By submitting content to our Website, such as articles, blog posts, or other contributions, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to publish, distribute, modify, display, and use your content for any purpose related to our Website.

4.2 Copyright Policy: We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that any content on our Website infringes your copyright, please contact us with the relevant details, and we will investigate and take appropriate action.

5. Use of Media and Citing of Sources

5.1 Use of Media: We may use media, including images and videos, on our Website. Some of this media may be licensed or obtained from third-party sources. In most cases we prefer royalty free or public domain media. We make efforts to ensure proper attribution and compliance with applicable licenses.

5.2 Citing of Sources: We strive to provide accurate and reliable information on our Website. When citing external sources or references in our content, we make reasonable efforts to attribute the original sources appropriately.

6. Maintaining Quality of Content

6.1 We aim to maintain the quality and accuracy of the content published on our Website. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. The content on our Website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice. We encourage users to independently verify any information provided on our Website before making decisions or taking action based on such information.

7. Contributed Articles and Editorial Rights

7.1 The Local Brand® welcomes contributed articles and submissions from users and guest writers. By submitting content to us, you acknowledge that you are the original author and hold the necessary rights to grant us permission to publish and use your content.

7.2 Editorial Rights: We reserve the right to review, edit, modify, or reject contributed articles or content submitted to us. While we strive to maintain the integrity of the original work, we may make necessary edits for clarity, formatting, or compliance with our content standards.

8. Directory Listing Data and Listing Information

8.1 Directory Listing Data: If you choose to submit your business or organization information to our directory listings, you consent to the inclusion and display of such information on our Website. This may include business name, address, contact details, and other relevant information.

8.2 Listing Information Accuracy: It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided in your directory listing. We do not verify or guarantee the accuracy of the information displayed in the directory listings.

9. User Access and Password Policy

9.1 User Access: Certain areas of our Website may require user registration and the creation of an account. It is your responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of your account information, including your username and password, and to restrict access to your computer or device.

9.2 Password Policy: You agree to choose a strong password and to promptly notify us if you suspect any unauthorized use of your account or breach of security.

10. Profile Information and Contact Information

10.1 Profile Information: When creating a user account or submitting information on our Website, you may have the option to provide additional profile information. The provision of such information is voluntary, and you have control over the type and amount of information you choose to share.

10.2 Contact Information: If you contact us through the contact form or by email, we may collect and store the information you provide, including your name, email address, and the content of your communication. We will only use this information to respond to your inquiries or requests.

11. Third-Party Links and External Websites

11.1 Our Website may contain links to third-party websites or resources that are not owned or controlled by The Local Brand®. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these websites before providing any personal information.

12. Children’s Privacy

12.1 Our Website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under the age of 13, we will take steps to delete such information from our records.

13. Changes to the Privacy Policy

13.1 We may update or modify this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated Privacy Policy on our Website or through other appropriate communication channels. Your continued use of our Website after the changes have been implemented signifies your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

14.1 If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at marty@thelocalbrand.com.

Please note that this Privacy Policy applies solely to the information collected on The Local Brand® website and does not cover any offline or third-party activities.

15. International Data Transfers

15.1 The Local Brand® operates globally, and as such, your information may be transferred to and stored on servers located in different countries. By using our Website and providing us with your information, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your information in these countries.

15.2 We will take reasonable steps to ensure that your information is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy. However, please be aware that the laws regarding data protection and privacy in these countries may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

16. Data Retention

16.1 We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

16.2 If you request the deletion of your account or the removal of specific information, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request, subject to any legal obligations or legitimate business interests.

17. Security Measures

17.1 We employ industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

18. Consent and Opt-Out

18.1 By using our Website, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us or by using the opt-out mechanisms provided in our communications.

19. California Privacy Rights

19.1 If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) regarding the collection, disclosure, and sale of your personal information. For more information about your rights and how to exercise them, please refer to our separate California Privacy Notice.

20. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

20.1 This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Republic of India. Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Privacy Policy shall be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, as outlined in our Terms of Service.

21. Entire Agreement

21.1 This Privacy Policy constitutes the entire agreement between you and The Local Brand® regarding the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of your information through our Website, superseding any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.

Thank you for taking the time to review our Privacy Policy. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.