1. INTRODUCTION
This Privacy Policy explains how SearchMarker AI Inc. (“SearchMarker”, “we”, “us” or “our”) collects, uses, and discloses information about you. This Privacy Policy applies to our Services (as defined in our Terms of Use).
Our collection, use and disclosure of personal information is governed primarily by applicable Canadian privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial laws, relying on express or implied consent as the circumstances require.
By accessing our website or voluntarily submitting information through our website forms, you acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to review this Privacy Policy. Where consent is required, SearchMarker will seek consent in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
2. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT
We collect personal information that individuals voluntarily provide to us through our website, email communications and other business interactions. We may also collect certain technical information automatically when individuals visit our website.
The categories of information we collect depend on how individuals interact with SearchMarker.
2.1 Expert Applications and Professional Information
Individuals interested in joining SearchMarker’s network of experts may submit information through the Expert application page on our website.
The information collected may include:
- Full name;
- Email address;
- Field of expertise;
- Current professional role, qualifications or credentials;
- LinkedIn profile or personal/professional website;
- Languages spoken or worked with; and
- Additional information regarding professional experience, qualifications, background and areas of specialization.
Individuals may voluntarily provide additional information relevant to their professional experience and suitability for potential projects.
We collect this information to assess prospective experts, evaluate their qualifications and experience, maintain our network of potential contributors and identify individuals who may be suitable for current or future client projects.
2.2 Client Enquiries and Website Submissions
Individuals and representatives of businesses may submit enquiries through our Contact Us, Request Samples and Products pages.
The information collected may include:
- Full name;
- Work email address;
- Company or organization name;
- Description of the services, products, samples or information requested; and
- Information regarding the individual’s current project, business requirements or intended use of our services.
Individuals may also voluntarily include additional information, documents or project-related details in their submissions or subsequent email communications.
We use this information to understand business requirements, respond to enquiries, provide requested samples or information, assess potential projects and facilitate prospective business relationships.
2.3 Automatically Collected Information
When individuals access our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically through website hosting infrastructure, analytics tools, cookies or similar technologies.
This information may include:
- Device and usage data (including IP address, browser type, operating systems, device identifiers, pages visited, time on page, scroll depth and interactions with on-page elements;
- Location Information (approximate location of your device from your IP address – we do not collect precise geolocation);
- Preferences (small pieces of data stored in your browser to remember choices you have made on the site);
- General website usage and interaction information; and
- Other technical information relating to website performance and functionality.
We may use this information to understand website traffic, monitor website performance, maintain security, identify technical issues and improve the functionality and user experience of our website.
Where applicable, this information may be collected through third-party analytics or website service providers.
3. HOW WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION
SearchMarker collects and uses personal information only for purposes that are reasonably necessary for its business operations and the purposes identified at the time of collection.
Depending on the nature of the interaction, personal information may be used to:
- To respond to questions, enquiries and communications;
- To provide requested samples, demonstrations, product information or service details (overall, carry out any other purpose described to you at the time the information was collected);
- To secure the site and our systems, prevent abuse, and debug problems;
- To evaluate prospective business relationships and project requirements;
- To maintain internal administrative and business records;
- To comply with our legal, regulatory and financial obligations;
SearchMarker does not use information submitted through general website enquiries or expert applications to send unsolicited marketing communications or promotional newsletters.
4. DISCLOSURE AND SHARING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
We share personal information with vendors, service providers, and consultants that need access to personal information in order to perform services for us, such as companies that assist us with web hosting, data labeling, fraud prevention, customer service, and marketing and advertising. These service providers may access or process personal information where necessary to perform services on our behalf. SearchMarker expects its service providers to handle personal information appropriately and to implement reasonable safeguards consistent with their contractual obligations and applicable privacy requirements.
We may disclose personal information if we believe that disclosure is in accordance with, or required by, any applicable law or legal process, including lawful requests by public authorities to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.
We may disclose your personal information if we are involved in a merger, reorganization, dissolution or other fundamental corporate change. In accordance with applicable laws, we will use commercially reasonable efforts to notify you of any transfer of your personal information to an unaffiliated third party.
We may also disclose or share your personal information where you have given us your consent to do so for a specific purpose.
4.1 Legal and Regulatory Disclosures
SearchMarker may disclose personal information where required or permitted by applicable law, regulation, court order or other lawful process.
Information may also be disclosed where reasonably necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal rights, investigate suspected unlawful activity, or protect the rights, property or security of SearchMarker and others.
SearchMarker does not sell personal information as part of its ordinary business operations.
5. EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS AND WEBSITE SUBMISSIONS
Information submitted through our website forms is transmitted electronically to a designated SearchMarker company email account for review and processing by authorized personnel.
SearchMarker uses Google Workspace for its business email communications and related services.
Information submitted through our website, together with subsequent email correspondence, may be retained in our email systems and associated business storage environments for administrative, operational and business purposes.
Individuals should be aware that information transmitted electronically, including through website forms and email, may be subject to security risks associated with internet-based communications.
SearchMarker takes reasonable steps to protect information received through these channels but cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.
6. COOKIES AND ANALYTICS TECHNOLOGIES
Our website may use cookies, analytics tools and similar technologies to collect technical and usage information.
These technologies may be used to:
- Monitor website traffic and visitor activity;
- Understand how visitors interact with our website;
- Improve website functionality and performance;
- Identify technical issues; and
- Maintain website security.
Cookies are small data files that may be stored on an individual’s device when visiting a website.
Individuals may be able to manage or disable certain cookies through their browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Where third-party analytics services are used, those providers may collect technical information in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable contractual arrangements.
SearchMarker will update this Privacy Policy as necessary to identify material changes to the tracking technologies used on its website.
7. DATA STORAGE, SECURITY AND RETENTION
7.1 Storage of Personal Information
Personal information collected through our website and business communications is maintained electronically through SearchMarker’s designated business email and associated cloud-based services.
SearchMarker uses Google Workspace for business email and related services.
Information may also be maintained through website hosting infrastructure and other technology service providers engaged by SearchMarker.
7.2 Security Safeguards
SearchMarker takes reasonable administrative, technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure, alteration, loss or destruction.
These measures may include:
- Restricting access to personal information to authorized personnel;
- Using password-protected business accounts;
- Implementing appropriate access controls;
- Maintaining reasonable electronic security practices;
- Using third-party service providers with appropriate security measures; and
- Taking reasonable steps to protect information transmitted and stored electronically.
Although we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
7.3 Retention of Personal Information
SearchMarker retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, subject to applicable legal, regulatory and business requirements.
8. INTERNATIONAL PROCESSING AND TRANSFERS
SearchMarker is based in Canada. Although our business operations and website-related information may be maintained through Canadian infrastructure, certain third-party service providers used by SearchMarker may store, process or access information in other jurisdictions that may not provide levels of data protection that are equivalent to those of your home jurisdiction We will take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information receives an adequate level of protection in the jurisdictions in which we process it..
9. INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY RIGHTS
Subject to applicable privacy legislation, individuals may have the right to:
- Request access to personal information held by SearchMarker;
- Request corrections to personal information that is inaccurate, incomplete or outdated;
- Withdraw consent to the collection, use or disclosure of their personal information, subject to legal or contractual restrictions;
- Request the deletion or destruction of personal information where appropriate and legally permissible;
- Ask questions about how their personal information is collected, used, stored or disclosed; and
- Raise concerns or submit complaints regarding SearchMarker’s privacy practices.
SearchMarker will take reasonable steps to respond to privacy-related requests within the timeframes required by applicable legislation, and in any case, within 30 days.
In certain circumstances, SearchMarker may be unable to provide access to or delete particular information where an applicable legal exception or retention obligation applies. Where appropriate, individuals will be informed of the reasons for such limitations.
10. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
SearchMarker’s website and services are not intended for individuals under 18. If we become aware that a child under the age of 18 has submitted information to us, we will delete the information.
11. CONTACT INFORMATION AND PRIVACY ENQUIRIES
Individuals who wish to request access to their personal information, request corrections, withdraw consent or raise concerns regarding the collection, use, storage or disclosure of personal information may contact SearchMarker at hello@searchmarker.ai