Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how FlowBudget (FlowBudget Strategies Limited) collects, uses, and protects your personal information. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly. This policy applies to all visitors and users of our website and services related to freelancer revenue budgeting and cash flow planning for Edmonton contractors.

Who We Are

We are a service provider specializing in budgeting strategies and financial planning tools for contractors and freelancers with variable income. As the data controller, we are responsible for managing how your personal information is collected, processed, and protected. Our office is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Information We Collect

We collect information in several ways to provide and improve our services:

• Contact Information: When you reach out to us, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and message content.
• Usage Data: We automatically collect information about how you interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent, and browser type.
• Device Information: We collect information about your device, including IP address and operating system, to improve our service delivery.
• Cookies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze site performance.

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you voluntarily provide information through contact forms or sign-ups, you consent to our processing of that data.
• Legitimate Interest: We process information to improve our website, prevent fraud, and provide better services to our users.
• Legal Obligation: We may process information when required by Canadian law or regulatory authorities.

We ensure that our processing activities comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable Canadian privacy laws.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Responding to your inquiries and providing customer support
• Delivering and improving our budgeting tools and services
• Personalizing your experience and tailoring content to your needs
• Analyzing website usage patterns and optimizing performance
• Sending informational updates or newsletters (with your consent)
• Complying with legal obligations and protecting our rights

We never sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Any third-party service providers we work with are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.

Data Retention

We maintain concrete data retention periods to ensure we do not keep your information longer than necessary:

• Contact Form Messages: Retained for up to 24 months after your last interaction with us, then securely deleted.
• Analytics and Cookie Data: Retained for up to 14 months, after which it is automatically removed from our systems.
• Server Logs: Retained for up to 12 months for security and troubleshooting purposes.
• Email Communications: Retained for up to 36 months for record-keeping and service improvement purposes.

If you request deletion of your data, we will remove it within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Right to Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw consent for email communications or marketing activities at any time.
• Right to Portability: You can request your information in a structured, commonly used format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact Us section below. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and understand how you use our website. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and analyze usage patterns. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain until you delete them). Our cookies serve purposes including authentication, preference storage, and analytics. For detailed information about our cookie usage, please visit our Cookie Policy.

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. Our security practices include encryption of sensitive data, secure server infrastructure, and regular security audits. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Our team members are trained in data protection practices, and we maintain strict access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can access your information.

Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the privacy regulatory authority in Canada. If you believe we have violated your privacy rights or breached applicable privacy legislation, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC). The OPC investigates complaints related to federal private sector organizations and federal government institutions. You can reach the OPC through their website or contact them directly for guidance on submitting a complaint.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services before providing your information. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our website and services.

Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of significant changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of our website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. We recommend reviewing this page periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.