Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Statement Decode (Statement Decode Financial Services Limited) collects, uses, and protects your personal information. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and handling your data responsibly in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy legislation. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, your rights, and how you can contact us with any questions or concerns.

Who We Are

We are a financial education service provider based in Regina, Saskatchewan, dedicated to helping newcomers understand bank statements and financial documents. Our mission is to make financial literacy accessible and understandable for all community members. We collect and process personal information only when necessary to deliver our services and communicate with you effectively.

Information We Collect

We collect personal information in several ways:

• Contact information: name, email address, phone number when you sign up for services or contact us
• Usage data: information about how you interact with our website, pages visited, and time spent
• Device information: IP address, browser type, operating system for security and troubleshooting
• Communication records: messages, inquiries, and feedback you provide through contact forms
• Cookie data: information collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies

We only collect information that is necessary for providing our services and improving your experience.

Legal Basis for Processing

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

• Your consent: when you explicitly agree to our data collection practices
• Contractual necessity: to fulfill services you have requested from us
• Legitimate interests: to improve our services, prevent fraud, and enhance security
• Legal obligations: to comply with applicable Canadian laws and regulations

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties except where required by law or with your explicit consent.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Providing and improving our financial education services
• Responding to your inquiries and customer support requests
• Sending you service updates, newsletters, and educational materials (with your consent)
• Analyzing website usage to enhance user experience and functionality
• Ensuring the security and integrity of our services
• Complying with legal obligations and protecting our rights

We use your data only for purposes you would reasonably expect based on our relationship with you.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for specific periods depending on the type of data:

• Contact form inquiries: retained for up to 24 months after your last interaction with us
• Email communication records: retained for up to 36 months for service history and reference
• Website analytics and usage data: retained for up to 12 months to track trends and improvements
• Server logs and technical data: retained for up to 12 months for security and troubleshooting purposes
• Cookie data: retained according to individual cookie expiration dates (typically 12-24 months)

After these retention periods, we securely delete or anonymize your information unless we are required by law to retain it longer.

Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to access: request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to rectification: correct any inaccurate or incomplete information
• Right to erasure: request deletion of your data in certain circumstances
• Right to restrict processing: limit how we use your information
• Right to data portability: receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to withdraw consent: opt out of communications or data collection at any time
• Right to lodge a complaint: report concerns to the privacy authority

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact Us section below.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze website performance. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and track website usage patterns. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences and may refuse non-essential cookies, though this may limit some website functionality.

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our site, marketing cookies to personalize content, and essential cookies for security and functionality. For detailed information about our cookie practices, please refer to our separate Cookie Policy.

Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security practices include encryption of sensitive data, secure socket layer (SSL) technology for data transmission, regular security audits, and restricted access to personal information. However, no transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. We encourage you to use strong passwords and keep your account information confidential.

Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites and services that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy applies only to information we collect through our services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information. Your use of third-party services is governed by their terms and policies, not ours.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information and terminate the child's account. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided information to us should contact us immediately using the contact details below.

Updates 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. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

Supervisory Authority

If you have concerns about our privacy practices that we have not been able to resolve, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC). The OPC is the federal privacy authority responsible for overseeing compliance with Canadian privacy legislation. You can contact the OPC to file a complaint regarding our handling of your personal information.