Privacy Policy

We're pretty serious about keeping your info safe. Here's the honest breakdown of what we collect, why we need it, and how we handle everything.

Last updated: January 2024

Look, we get it - privacy policies can be a real snooze-fest. But since we're dealing with your architectural dreams and personal info, we figured you'd want to know what's what. We've tried to keep this as straightforward as possible.

At Onyx Arquin Thoros, we're architects first and foremost. We're not in the business of selling data or doing anything sketchy with your information. Everything we collect has a purpose, and that purpose is making your project happen smoothly.

Information We Collect

When you reach out to us or start a project, here's what we typically gather:

Personal Identifiers

Name, email, phone number, mailing address - the basics so we can actually talk to you and send you stuff. If you're a business client, we'll grab your company name and position too.

Project Details

Property info, site specs, your vision for the space, budget ranges, timelines. Can't design your dream building without knowing what you're after, right? Photos of existing spaces, site measurements, and any documentation you share with us.

Technical Data

IP addresses, browser types, device info - standard web stuff that helps us keep the site running smooth and secure. We're not tracking your every move, just making sure everything works properly.

Communication Records

Emails, meeting notes, consultation records. We keep track of our conversations so nothing falls through the cracks. Believe me, you don't want us forgetting that crucial detail you mentioned three months ago.

How We Actually Use Your Info

No surprises here - we use your information for pretty straightforward reasons:

  • Delivering our services: Designing your projects, coordinating with contractors, managing permits, all the architectural heavy lifting.
  • Communication: Updates on your project, answering questions, scheduling site visits. We're not gonna spam you with random stuff.
  • Legal compliance: Building codes, permits, contracts - there's a ton of regulatory stuff in architecture. We need to keep proper records.
  • Improving our work: Understanding what clients need helps us get better at what we do. Anonymous data helps us spot trends and refine our approach.
  • Marketing: If you've said it's cool, we might share project photos in our portfolio or send occasional updates about our work. You can opt out anytime.

Who We Share With (and Why)

We're not selling your data to random third parties. Period. But architecture's a collaborative field, so here's who might need access:

Project Partners

Contractors, engineers, consultants who need info to do their part of your project. They're bound by their own confidentiality agreements.

Government Bodies

Municipal offices, permit departments - they need certain info for approvals and legal compliance. Can't skip this one, unfortunately.

Service Providers

Cloud storage, email services, project management tools - the tech that keeps us running. We pick vendors who take security seriously.

Legal Requirements

If the law demands it, we gotta comply. Court orders, legal investigations - the usual mandatory stuff.

Cookies & Technical Bits

Yeah, we use cookies - but not the edible kind (though our office always has some of those too). These are small files that help the website remember you and work properly.

What cookies do we use?
  • Essential cookies: Keep the site functioning - can't turn these off without breaking stuff.
  • Performance cookies: Help us see how people use the site so we can improve it.
  • Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Just know that blocking some might make the site wonky. We also use analytics to understand traffic patterns - all anonymized, nothing creepy.

Security Measures

We take protecting your data seriously. Our systems include:

Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
Secure cloud storage with backups
Access controls and authentication
Regular security audits
Employee training on data protection
Physical security at our offices

That said, no system's 100% bulletproof. We do everything reasonable to protect your info, but can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a breach, we'll let you know ASAP.

Your Rights & Choices

It's your data - you've got rights. Here's what you can do:

Want to see what we've got on file? Just ask. We'll send you a copy of your personal data within a reasonable timeframe. Might take a bit if you've got years of project history with us.

If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Accurate info helps us serve you better anyway.

Request deletion of your personal info. Keep in mind we might need to keep some stuff for legal or contractual reasons (like completed project records), but we'll delete what we can.

Don't want newsletter updates or portfolio showcases? No worries - click unsubscribe on any email or tell us directly. You'll still get essential project-related communications though.

Need your data in a usable format to take elsewhere? We can provide that in most cases. Takes a bit of time to organize, but we'll make it happen.

Data Retention

We don't keep your info forever. Here's the general breakdown:

  • Active projects: Throughout the project and typically 7 years after completion (standard for architectural records).
  • Inquiries that don't turn into projects: Usually 2-3 years, then we purge 'em.
  • Marketing communications: Until you unsubscribe or we haven't heard from you in a while.
  • Legal documents: As long as required by Canadian law and professional regulations.

International Data & Canadian Law

We're based in Toronto, so Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA and provincial regulations) are our guidebook. If you're reaching out from outside Canada, your data might cross borders - but we'll handle it with the same care.

For our EU friends, we respect GDPR principles even though we're not technically required to. Good privacy practices are good privacy practices, regardless of location.

Questions About Privacy?

If something's unclear or you want to exercise any of your rights, just reach out. We're humans, not robots - happy to explain things in plain language.

Email: info@onyxarquinthoros.info
Phone: (416) 555-0187
Mail: 425 King Street West, Suite 1200, Toronto, ON M5V 1K4, Canada

If you're not satisfied with our response, you've got the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Changes to This Policy

Laws change, our practices evolve, technology advances - so this policy might get updated from time to time. We'll post any significant changes here and update the date at the top. For major changes, we'll shoot you an email if we've got your address on file.

Honestly, we don't anticipate huge shifts - we're pretty straightforward about how we handle data. But it's good to check back occasionally, especially if it's been a while.

Ready to Start Your Project?

Now that you know how we handle your information, let's talk about creating something amazing together.

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