PRIVACY POLICY

1. Overview

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website (www.tyde-link.com), our contact and quote request forms, our newsletter, and during the course of providing security and investigative services to our clients.

Because Tyde Link operates in the licensed security and private investigations industry, certain information collected during the course of providing services is also subject to confidentiality obligations under NC GS Chapter 74C and applicable common-law and contractual confidentiality protections — these are stricter than ordinary website data handling.

2. What We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you interact with our website or services, you may voluntarily provide:

• Contact information: name, email address, phone number, mailing address.
• Inquiry details: service type requested, property type, coverage period, urgency, and any context you choose to share in our contact form.
• Newsletter information: email address when you subscribe to our blog newsletter.
• Case-related information: for active clients only — details necessary to provide the requested security or investigative service. This information is held under strict confidentiality.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Device and usage information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, time spent on pages, and approximate geographic location (city/region level, derived from IP address).
• Cookies and similar technologies: as described in Section 5.

2.3 Information We Do Not Collect

We do not knowingly collect:

• Social Security Numbers, government identification numbers, or financial account details through this website.
• Health, biometric, or other special categories of personal data through routine website use.
• Information from individuals known to be under 18 years of age.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to inquiries: reply to questions, prepare quotes, and follow up on service requests.
• Provide services: deliver the security or investigative services you've engaged us for, under appropriate confidentiality obligations.
• Improve our website: understand how visitors use our site and improve user experience.
• Send newsletter content: if you've opted in, send periodic emails with industry insights, NC compliance updates, and case studies.
• Comply with legal obligations: meet recordkeeping, licensing, and reporting requirements under NC GS Chapter 74C and other applicable laws.
• Protect our operations: prevent fraud, secure our systems, and respond to lawful requests from authorities.

4. Information Sharing

We share personal information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers: we use trusted third-party services to operate our website (see Section 6). These providers process information solely on our behalf, under contractual data protection terms.
• Legal compliance: we may disclose information when required to comply with subpoenas, court orders, valid legal process, or to cooperate with law enforcement investigations under applicable law.
• Client consent: for matters relating to active engagements, we share information only with parties you have authorized in writing or as your engagement letter requires.
• Business transfer: in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets, your information may be transferred to the successor entity, subject to a substantially similar privacy policy.

5. Cookies & Tracking

Our website uses minimal cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

• Essential cookies: required for the website to function (session management, security).
• Analytics: to understand visitor patterns. We use Google Analytics in a privacy-respecting configuration where applicable.
• LocalStorage: we use your browser's local storage to remember preferences (e.g., whether you've dismissed our newsletter pop-up). This data stays on your device and is not transmitted to us.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality, but core content remains accessible.

6. Third-Party Services

We rely on the following third-party providers to operate our website. Each has its own privacy policy that governs how they handle data:

• Google Firebase — hosts our blog database and newsletter list. Google Privacy Policy
• EmailJS — delivers contact form submissions to our inbox. EmailJS Privacy Policy
• Cloudinary — hosts blog post images. Cloudinary Privacy Policy
• Microsoft 365 (Outlook) — our business email service. Microsoft Privacy Statement
• Google Maps — embedded location maps on the contact page. Google Privacy Policy

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include:

• HTTPS/TLS encryption for all website traffic.
• Authentication-protected administrative access to our content management system.
• Role-based access controls limiting who within our organization can view client information.
• Confidentiality obligations on all team members handling case files.

No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements:

• Inquiry submissions: retained for 24 months unless they become active engagements.
• Active client records: retained for the duration of the engagement plus the period required by NC GS Chapter 74C and applicable insurance/legal requirements.
• Newsletter subscriptions: retained until you unsubscribe.
• Website analytics: retained in aggregated form for up to 26 months.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations.
• Opt-out of marketing: unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the link in any email or by contacting us directly.
• Data portability: request a machine-readable copy of certain information you've provided.
• Withdraw consent: where we rely on consent for processing, withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Section 12. We will respond within 30 days. We do not discriminate against individuals who exercise their privacy rights.

9.1 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have additional rights including the right to know what categories of personal information we collect, the sources, purposes, and recipients; the right to delete; the right to correct; and the right to opt out of any "sale" or "sharing" of personal information. We do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

10. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a minor has provided us with information, please contact us immediately and we will take prompt steps to delete it.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.
• For significant changes, post a notice on our website homepage.
• Notify newsletter subscribers via email if changes materially affect how their information is handled.

Your continued use of our website or services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise any of your rights, or have concerns about how we handle your information, please reach out: