Privacy Policy

By accessing or using geospatialcatalog.com ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Service.

---

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

When you use the Service, we may collect information you voluntarily provide, including:

• Account Information: Email address, username, and profile information when you create an account;
• Submissions: Content, data, or information you submit through the Service;
• Communications: Information you provide when contacting us or participating in surveys.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access the Service, we may automatically collect:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, referral sources, and interaction patterns;
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, and screen resolution;
• Geographic Region: Location based on IP address

Note on Site Analytics: We use Plausible Analytics for our internal site metrics. Plausible is a privacy-focused service that does not use cookies and does not collect personal data. This data is aggregated and anonymized to protect your privacy. For more information, see Plausible's Data Policy.

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use minimal cookies and tracking technologies to provide core Service functionality and to support our operations:

• Authentication: Maintaining your login session;
• Preferences: Storing your theme preference (light/dark mode);
• Affiliate Attribution: Tracking clicks on affiliate links to ensure we receive credit for referrals (see Section 1.4).

We do not use:

• Third-party advertising cookies for behavioral profiling or retargeting;
• Cross-site tracking technologies for general marketing purposes.

You can delete these cookies at any time through your browser settings without affecting the core functionality of the Service.

1.4 Affiliate Disclosure and Third-Party Tracking

Our Service contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link, a third-party affiliate network may place a cookie on your device or use other tracking technologies (such as referral cookies or click identifiers) to verify your referral and process potential commissions.

This tracking is performed by the respective affiliate partners and is governed by their individual privacy policies. While we choose partners carefully, we do not control these third-party technologies. By clicking an affiliate link, you acknowledge that your interaction is subject to the tracking practices of that affiliate network.

We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

---

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service;
• Process your submissions and account requests;
• Send you updates, newsletters (with your consent), and important notices;
• Understand general usage trends (via anonymized, aggregated analytics);
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues or security threats;
• Comply with legal obligations.

---

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

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

3.1 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Service:

• Hosting: Cloud infrastructure providers for website hosting;
• Analytics: Plausible Analytics (privacy-focused, no personal data collected);
• Email: Email delivery services for newsletters and account notifications;
• Payments: Payment processors for premium features (if applicable).

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., court orders, government agencies).

3.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

3.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

---

4. Data Security

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

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmission;
• Secure password hashing;
• Regular security updates and monitoring.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

---

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active. You may request deletion at any time.
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized; no individual user data is retained.
• Communications: Email correspondence may be retained for customer service purposes.

When information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

---

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information and account;
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time via the link in any email;
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

---

7. Third-Party Links and Services

The Service contains links to third-party websites, datasets, tools, and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

---

8. International Data Transfers

If you access the Service from outside the country where our servers are located, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in a different jurisdiction. By using the Service, you consent to such transfers. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers.

---

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes become effective immediately upon posting to the Service. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a prominent notice on the Service or by sending you an email. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

---