Privacy Policy

Smile Global

Privacy Policy

Smile Global

We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your data when you visit our website. We adhere to relevant privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Civil Code §1798.81.5, which outlines requirements for protecting personal information.

What Information We Collect and Why

Comments
When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the comment form, your IP address, and browser user agent string to help detect spam.
If you use the Gravatar service, an anonymized hash of your email may be provided to retrieve your profile picture. Review Gravatar’s privacy policy at automattic.com/privacy.

Media
If you upload images to the website, please avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS), as others may be able to download and extract it.

Contact Forms
Information you submit through contact forms (such as name, email, or phone number) is used only to respond to your inquiry or fulfill your request.

Cookies

We use cookies to enhance your experience:

  • Comment Cookies: Store your name, email, and website for convenience; expires in one year.

  • Login Cookies: Store login credentials and preferences; expire after two days or two weeks with “Remember Me” enabled.

  • Editing Cookies: Temporary cookies are created when editing or publishing content.

Embedded Content

Articles may include embedded content (such as videos, images, or articles from other websites). These websites may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction independently of Smile Global.

Analytics

We use third-party analytics tools to measure website usage. These tools may collect anonymized data such as IP addresses and browser types.

Who We Share Your Data With

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers for website operation, spam filtering, or performance analysis.

How Long We Retain Your Data

  • Comments: Stored indefinitely for moderation and continuity.

  • Registered Users: Personal profile information is stored and can be edited or deleted by the user (except usernames). Site administrators may also manage this data.

Your Rights Under California Law

As a California resident, you have the following rights under the CCPA:

  • Right to Know what personal data we collect, use, and disclose.

  • Right to Delete your data, subject to certain legal obligations.

  • Right to Opt Out of Sale, even though we do not currently sell your data.

  • Right to Non-Discrimination for exercising your rights under CCPA.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us by email or phone. You may authorize an agent to act on your behalf.

How We Protect Your Data

In compliance with California Civil Code §1798.81.5, we maintain reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • SSL encryption

  • Restricted administrative access

  • Routine security audits

  • Secure credentials and password protocols

Your Contact Information

All contact information submitted through our site is stored securely and used only to respond to your inquiry or provide the services you’ve requested.

Additional Information

Data Breach Procedures
In the event of a data breach, we will promptly notify affected individuals and comply with legal reporting obligations.

Third-Party Data Sources
We may receive limited user data from integrated services or analytics providers.

Automated Decision-Making
We do not use your personal information for automated decisions or profiling that impacts your rights.

Regulatory Compliance
We aim to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including:

  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

  • California Civil Code §1798.81.5

  • CAN-SPAM Act

  • Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), where applicable

Where Your Data Is Sent

Visitor comments may be checked through automated spam detection services.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or your data rights, please contact us.