Privacy Policy

When you reach out to us or start a project, we're gonna need some basics - nothing creepy, just the practical stuff:

• Contact details: Your name, email, phone number. Can't really collaborate on a building if we can't reach you, right?
• Project info: What you're looking to build, your site location, budget range, timeline. The usual stuff we need to understand your vision.
• Property details: Address, lot dimensions, existing structures. Pretty essential for architectural work.
• Communication records: Emails, meeting notes, project discussions. We keep these so nobody forgets what was decided three months ago.
• Website activity: Basic analytics like which pages you visit, how long you stick around. Helps us know if our portfolio's actually interesting or just sitting there.

We don't collect anything we don't need. No weird tracking stuff, no selling your data to random third parties. That's just not our vibe.

Everything we collect has a purpose. We're using your info to:

• Deliver our services: Design your building, coordinate with contractors, get permits - the core architecture work.
• Communicate effectively: Updates on your project, answering questions, sharing design iterations. Pretty standard client relationship stuff.
• Improve what we do: Understanding what clients need helps us get better at our craft. Your feedback shapes how we approach future projects.
• Legal compliance: Building codes, zoning requirements, professional regulations. There's paperwork involved in architecture - unavoidable reality.
• Occasional updates: If you've worked with us, we might send project news or share interesting design developments. Easy to opt out if that's not your thing.

We don't bombard you with marketing emails or share your details with other companies. Your inbox is sacred territory.

Security's not just about passwords - it's how we handle everything from day one:

• Encrypted communications: Our email and file sharing use industry-standard encryption. Your project files aren't floating around unprotected.
• Limited access: Only team members working on your project can see your information. We're not passing files around the office for fun.
• Secure storage: Digital files on protected servers, physical documents in locked cabinets. Old school meets new school.
• Regular backups: Your project data's backed up securely. If something goes wrong with our systems, your designs aren't lost.
• Professional obligations: We're bound by architectural professional standards that take confidentiality seriously. It's literally part of our license requirements.

No system's 100% bulletproof, but we take this stuff seriously and keep our security practices current.

We're selective about who sees your information. Here's the short list:

• Project partners: Engineers, contractors, consultants - the folks we need to actually build your project. They only get what's relevant to their part.
• Regulatory bodies: Building departments, zoning boards, municipal authorities. Required for permits and approvals - can't skip this.
• Professional services: Our accountant, lawyer, insurance provider. Standard business relationships with confidentiality agreements in place.
• Service providers: Cloud storage, email hosting, project management tools. These companies have their own privacy policies and security measures.

That's it. We don't sell client lists, rent out contact info, or share your details with marketing companies. Your project's yours, not content for someone else's database.

Our website uses some basic tracking - nothing too invasive:

• Essential cookies: Keep the site functioning, remember your preferences, maintain security. These are necessary for the website to actually work.
• Analytics cookies: Google Analytics tells us stuff like which pages people visit, where they're coming from, what devices they're using. Helps us know if our website's useful or confusing.
• No advertising cookies: We don't use those creepy ad-tracking things that follow you around the internet. Not our style.

You can disable cookies in your browser settings if you want. Some parts of the site might not work as smoothly, but that's your call.

We're not building detailed profiles of visitor behavior or selling browsing data. It's just basic "is anyone actually reading our portfolio" type stuff.

It's your information - you've got some control over it:

• Access your data: Wanna know what we have on file about you? Just ask. We'll show you what's there.
• Correct information: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Wrong address on file? Easy correction.
• Request deletion: Want us to delete your information? We'll do it where legally possible. Some stuff we're required to keep for regulatory reasons, but we'll explain that.
• Opt out of communications: Don't want project updates or newsletters? There's an unsubscribe link, or just tell us directly.
• Data portability: Need your information in a usable format? We can export your project data if you're moving to another firm.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at info@shadowriftal.info or call (416) 555-0147. We'll respond within a reasonable timeframe - usually within a week or two.

We don't keep stuff forever, but architecture has some unique retention requirements:

• Project files: Drawings, specifications, engineering calculations - we keep these for at least 10 years after project completion. Sometimes longer depending on building type. Professional liability and building codes require this.
• Contract documents: Agreements, invoices, correspondence - held for 7 years minimum for tax and legal purposes.
• Initial inquiries: If you contacted us but didn't move forward with a project, we keep that info for about 2 years, then it's gone.
• Marketing communications: If you're on our mailing list, we'll keep your contact info until you unsubscribe or we stop getting engagement.

After retention periods expire, information's securely deleted or destroyed. We're not hoarding old client data for no reason.

Our website might link to other sites - manufacturer resources, building code references, inspiration galleries, that sort of thing.

Once you click away from our site, their privacy policies apply, not ours. We try to link to reputable sources, but we can't control what they do with their data collection.

We use some third-party tools for project management and file sharing. These services have their own privacy practices - we pick providers who take security seriously, but check their policies if you're concerned.

Privacy regulations change, our practices evolve, technology shifts - so this policy might get updated occasionally.

When we make changes, we'll update the date at the top of this page. If it's a significant change that affects how we handle your information, we'll let active clients know directly via email.

Worth checking back here once in a while if you're curious. We're not gonna sneak in major changes without being transparent about it.

Got questions about how we handle your information? Something unclear in this policy? Want to exercise your privacy rights?

Reach out:

• Email: info@shadowriftal.info
• Phone: (416) 555-0147
• Mail: 1245 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6K 1L5

We'll respond as quickly as we can - usually within a few business days. If you're in the middle of a project with us, your project lead's another good contact for privacy questions.

And if you've got a complaint about how we've handled your information, you can also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. They're the regulatory body that oversees privacy compliance in Canada.