Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

Last Updated: January 1, 2025

Welcome to Speak With Confidence. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://speakwithconfidence.com, use our services, or interact with us in any way.

By accessing or using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account or sign up for our services
• Fill out contact forms or request information
• Schedule coaching sessions or consultations
• Subscribe to our newsletter or blog updates
• Participate in surveys, promotions, or events
• Communicate with us via email, phone, or other channels
• Make payments for our coaching services

The types of personal information we may collect include:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Professional Information: Job title, company name, industry, career goals
• Account Information: Username, password, preferences
• Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Communication Content: Messages, feedback, testimonials, and any other information you choose to share

1.2 Information Automatically Collected

When you access our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior, including:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including:

• Social media platforms if you connect your account or interact with our content
• Analytics providers that help us understand website usage
• Marketing partners and advertising networks
• Professional references or testimonials provided by others with appropriate consent

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various legitimate business purposes, including:

2.1 Providing and Improving Services

• Delivering coaching services and consultations you request
• Processing and fulfilling service bookings
• Communicating with you about your coaching sessions and progress
• Personalizing your experience and tailoring our services to your needs
• Improving our website functionality and user experience
• Developing new services and features

2.2 Communication and Marketing

• Sending service-related notifications and updates
• Providing customer support and responding to inquiries
• Sending newsletters, blog updates, and educational content (with your consent)
• Informing you about new services, promotions, and special offers
• Conducting surveys and gathering feedback

2.3 Business Operations

• Processing payments and managing billing
• Maintaining accurate records and accounts
• Analyzing usage patterns and trends
• Conducting research and analytics to improve our business
• Complying with legal obligations and regulations

2.4 Security and Legal Compliance

• Protecting against fraud, unauthorized access, and security threats
• Enforcing our terms and conditions
• Responding to legal requests and preventing illegal activities
• Protecting our rights, property, and safety, and that of our users

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect information about how you use our services.

3.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled
• Performance Cookies: Collect information about how you use our website to help us improve it
• Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and personalize your experience
• Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing activity to deliver relevant advertisements

3.2 Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. You may refuse or delete cookies, but this may affect your ability to use certain features of our website. When you first visit our website, we display a cookie consent banner that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies.

3.3 Third-Party Tracking

We use third-party analytics services, including Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel, to analyze website traffic and user behavior. These services may use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect information. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including:

• Payment processors for secure transaction handling
• Email service providers for communication delivery
• Web hosting and cloud storage providers
• Analytics and marketing service providers
• Customer relationship management (CRM) platforms

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

4.2 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or bankruptcy proceeding, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and the choices you may have regarding your information.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities, including to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our terms and conditions and other agreements
• Protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others
• Prevent fraud or illegal activities

4.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so, such as when you request that we share testimonials or references.

5. Data Security

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

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols
• Secure socket layer (SSL) technology for data transmission
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Employee training on data protection and privacy practices
• Secure backup systems and disaster recovery procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access.

6. Data Retention

We 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. The retention period depends on various factors, including:

• The nature of the information and how we use it
• Legal, regulatory, or contractual obligations
• Our legitimate business interests
• Whether you have requested deletion of your information

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.

7. Your Rights and Choices

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

7.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and receive a copy in a commonly used format.

7.2 Correction and Update

You can request that we correct or update inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

7.3 Deletion

You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions and obligations.

7.4 Restriction and Objection

You can request that we restrict the processing of your information or object to certain types of processing, such as direct marketing.

7.5 Withdraw Consent

Where we process your information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

7.6 Opt-Out of Marketing

You can opt out of receiving marketing communications from us by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails or contacting us directly. Please note that you may still receive service-related communications.

7.7 Cookie Preferences

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent banner.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from the laws of your country. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information when it is transferred internationally, including:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by regulatory authorities
• Data processing agreements with third-party processors
• Compliance with applicable data protection frameworks

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will notify you by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy on our website with a new effective date
• Sending you an email notification if you have provided your email address
• Displaying a prominent notice on our website

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
• Right to delete personal information held by businesses
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below. We will verify your identity before processing your request.

13. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• The right to access your personal data
• The right to rectify inaccurate personal data
• The right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• The right to restrict processing
• The right to data portability
• The right to object to processing
• The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Our legal basis for processing your personal data includes consent, contractual necessity, legal obligations, and our legitimate interests in operating and improving our business.

14. Contact Information

15. Consent

By using our website and services, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our services.

Thank you for trusting Speak With Confidence with your personal information. We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing you with exceptional coaching services.