Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Soft Standards Inc., a New York corporation ("Soft Standards," "we," "us," or "our"), is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website at softstandardsinc.com, use our services, communicate with us, or otherwise interact with our digital properties (collectively, the "Services").

This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors, users, and clients of Soft Standards Inc., regardless of location. By accessing or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our Services.

We encourage you to read this Privacy Policy in its entirety. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact Us section below.

Disclaimer: This policy is pending review by a licensed New York attorney. It is provided for informational purposes and may be updated.

2. Information We Collect

Soft Standards Inc., a New York corporation, may collect the following categories of information in connection with our Services:

a. Personal Information

Personal information is data that can be used to identify you directly or indirectly. We may collect:

• Name (first and last)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Company or organization name
• Job title or role
• Billing and payment information (processed by our third-party payment processors)
• Any other information you voluntarily provide through forms, correspondence, or our voice agent

b. Technical Data

When you access our website or Services, we automatically collect certain technical data, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Device type and screen resolution
• Cookies and similar tracking identifiers
• Referring URL and exit pages
• Time zone and language preferences

c. Usage Data

We collect information about how you interact with our website and Services, such as:

• Pages viewed and time spent on each page
• Click patterns and navigation paths
• Features used and interactions with our AI voice agent
• Scroll depth and engagement metrics
• Date and time of access
• Search queries entered on our site

3. How We Collect Information

a. Directly From You

We collect information that you provide to us directly when you fill out a contact form or request a consultation, book an appointment through our scheduling system, subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications, interact with our AI-powered voice agent, engage with us via email, phone, or social media, or enter into a contract or service agreement with us.

b. Automatically

Certain information is collected automatically when you visit or use our Services. This includes technical data and usage data gathered through cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and similar tracking technologies. Our servers also automatically record information from your browser, including your IP address, browser type, referring and exit pages, and timestamps.

c. From Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including analytics providers (such as Google Analytics), advertising networks, social media platforms, business partners and referral sources, and publicly available sources such as business directories and professional networking sites.

4. How We Use Your Information

a. Service Delivery

To provide, operate, and maintain our Services, including web development, app development, UI/UX design, digital marketing, brand strategy, and AI automation services. To process and fulfill your requests, inquiries, and appointment bookings. To manage your account and provide client support. To process payments and send invoices through our third-party payment processors.

b. Communications

To send you service-related notices, updates, and transactional messages. To send marketing and promotional communications where you have opted in or where permitted by applicable law. To respond to your comments, questions, and inquiries. To provide you with relevant content, newsletters, and industry insights.

c. Improvement and Analytics

To analyze usage trends, monitor the effectiveness of our Services, and improve website functionality and user experience. To develop new features, products, and services. To conduct research and analysis, including A/B testing. To train and improve our AI-powered tools and voice agent (using anonymized and aggregated data only).

d. Legal Compliance and Protection

To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal obligations. To enforce our terms and conditions and other agreements. To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property, and that of our clients and the public. To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, security breaches, and other harmful activities.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Soft Standards Inc. does not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

a. Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business and delivering our Services. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes of providing services to us and are required to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

b. Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, regulation, legal process, or enforceable government request, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.

c. Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information.

d. With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us your explicit consent to do so.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Soft Standards Inc. uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: Essential for the operation of our website. You cannot opt out of these cookies.
• Analytics Cookies: Used to collect information about how visitors interact with our website, helping us understand traffic patterns and improve performance.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to track visitors across websites and display relevant ads. May be set by our advertising partners.

Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you disable or refuse cookies, some parts of our website may become inaccessible or may not function properly.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. In general, we retain client project files and related communications for a period of three (3) years following the completion of a project engagement, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Marketing and analytics data is typically retained for twenty-four (24) months.

8. Data Security

Soft Standards Inc. takes the security of your personal information seriously. We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, and disclosure, in compliance with the New York SHIELD Act.

Our security measures include:

• Encryption: Industry-standard TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit. AES-256 encryption for sensitive data at rest.
• Access Controls: Role-based access controls, strong password policies, and multi-factor authentication.
• Infrastructure Security: Secure cloud infrastructure with regular security patches, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems.
• Employee Training: Team members receive training on data privacy and security best practices.
• Incident Response: Maintained incident response plan to address potential data breaches promptly.

9. Your Privacy Rights

a. California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete your personal information, the right to correct inaccurate information, the right to opt-out of sale or sharing of personal information, the right to limit use of sensitive personal information, and the right to non-discrimination. To exercise your rights, email privacy@softstandardsinc.com. We will respond within forty-five (45) days.

b. European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and Switzerland (GDPR)

If you are located in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, you have the right of access, right to rectification, right to erasure, right to restriction of processing, right to data portability, right to object, right to withdraw consent, and the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority. For GDPR-related inquiries, contact privacy@softstandardsinc.com.

c. New York Residents

As a New York corporation, Soft Standards Inc. complies with the New York SHIELD Act. You are entitled to data breach notification, reasonable security measures, and inquiry rights regarding personal information we hold about you.

d. Virginia Residents (VCDPA)

Virginia residents have the right to access, correct, delete, obtain portable copies of personal data, and opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, or profiling. Contact privacy@softstandardsinc.com to exercise your rights.

e. Colorado Residents (CPA)

Colorado residents have the right to access, correct, delete, obtain portable copies of personal data, and opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, or certain types of profiling. Contact privacy@softstandardsinc.com to exercise your rights.

10. Do Not Track / Global Privacy Control

Our website does not currently respond to browser Do Not Track (DNT) signals. However, we do honor the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal. If your browser or extension sends a GPC signal, we will treat it as a valid opt-out request for the sale or sharing of your personal information, as required under applicable laws such as the CCPA/CPRA.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under the age of thirteen (13), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 in compliance with COPPA. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@softstandardsinc.com.

12. International Data Transfers

Soft Standards Inc. is based in the United States. If you are accessing our Services from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States. Where we transfer personal data from the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission.

13. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications that are not operated or controlled by Soft Standards Inc. This Privacy Policy does not apply to any third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites that you visit.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will notify you by updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this page and, where required by law, by sending you an email notification or posting a prominent notice on our website.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Soft Standards Inc.
A New York Corporation
Email: privacy@softstandardsinc.com