Hotsnow GDPR & Cookie Policy
I. Collection and Use of Personal Information. Hotsnow (also referred to herein as "Hotsnow" or "We") may collect personal information from You. Personal information is information relating to an identifiable person who can, by virtue of such information, be directly or indirectly identified. You may be asked to provide Your personal information anytime You are in contact with Hotsnow or a Hotsnow affiliated company. Hotsnow and its affiliates may share this personal information with each other and use it consistent with this Privacy Policy. They may also combine it with other information to provide and improve our products, services, content, and advertising. You are not required to provide the personal information that we have requested, but, if You chose not to do so, in many cases we will not be able to provide You with our products or services or respond to any queries You may have.
II. What personal information we collect.
- When You create a Hotsnow User Account, purchase a subscription, download a software update, or contact us, we collect a variety of information, including Your name, phone number, e-mail address, and name of the website. When payment, or payment information, is required, we will direct You to submit credit card information through a third-party such as Stripe.
- When You, as a Hotsnow Account Holder, acquire information regarding Your customers and then upload that information to Hotsnow, Hotsnow will store whatever personal information regarding Your customers that You have uploaded on Hotsnow production servers.
III. How we use Your personal information.
- The personal information we collect allows us to keep You posted on Hotsnow's latest product announcements, software updates, and upcoming events. If You don't want to be on our mailing list, You can opt out anytime by navigating to the unsubscribe link in the last e-mail You received from Hotsnow. You will have the option to unsubscribe from an individual list, or from all Hotsnow lists.
- We also use personal information to help us create, develop, operate, deliver, and improve our products, services, content and advertising, and for loss prevention and anti-fraud purposes.
- We may use Your personal information, including date of birth, to verify identity, assist with identification of users, and to determine appropriate services. For example, we may use date of birth to determine the age of Hotsnow Account holders.
- From time to time, we may use Your personal information to send important notices, such as communications about purchases and changes to our terms, conditions, and policies. Because this information is important to Your interaction with Hotsnow, You may not opt out of receiving these communications.
- We may also use personal information for internal purposes such as auditing, data analysis, and research to improve Hotsnow' products, services, and customer communications.
IV. Collection and Use of Non-Personal Information. We also collect data in a form that does not identify any specific individual. We may collect, use, transfer, and disclose non-personal information for any purpose. The following are some examples of non-personal information that we collect and how we may use it:
- We may collect information such as business, language, zip code, area code, unique device identifier, referrer URL, and the time zone where a Hotsnow product is used so that we can better understand customer behavior and improve our products, services, and advertising.
- We may collect information regarding customer activities on any of our websites. This information is aggregated and used to help us provide more useful information to our customers and to understand which parts of our website, products, and services are of most interest. Aggregated data is non personal information.
- We may collect and store details of how You use our services. This information may be used to improve the relevancy of results provided by our services.
V. Cookies and Other Technologies. A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. This enables the web server to identify and track the web browser. Hotsnow may use both "session" cookies and "persistent" cookies on the website. Session cookies will be deleted from Your computer when You close Your browser. Persistent cookies will remain stored on Your computer until deleted, or until they reach a specified expiry date. We will use the session cookies to keep track of You whilst You navigate the website and to prevent fraud and increase website security. We will use the persistent cookies to enable my website to recognise You when You visit and keep track of Your preferences in relation to Your use of our website.
We use Google Analytics to analyze the use of Hotsnow's website. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about website use by means of cookies, which are stored on users' computers. The information generated relating to my website is used to create reports about the use of the website. We also use Hotjar, Yandex Metrika to analyze the use of Hotsnow's website. Facebook sign in is also used by Hotsnow for better personalized experience and to provide other required services.
Hotsnow's website, e-mail messages, and advertisements may use "cookies" and other technologies such as tracking, re-marketing tags, and pixels based on context, e.g., a search query, a channel You are reading, or inferred interests. These technologies help us better understand user behavior, tell us which parts of our websites people have visited, and facilitate and measure the effectiveness of advertisements and web searches. We treat information collected by cookies and other technologies as non personal information. We design and target advertising based on how You interact with Hotsnow. If You do not wish to receive ads targeted to Your interests from Hotsnow', You can choose to limit ad tracking, which will opt Your Hotsnow ID out of receiving such ads regardless of what device You are using. You may still see ads based on context like a search query or a channel You are reading. Hotsnow and our partners also use cookies and other technologies to remember how You use our website and software. Our goal in these cases is to make Your experience with Hotsnow more convenient and personal, and provide You better customer service.
We gather some information automatically and store it in log files. This information includes Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, browser type and language, Internet service provider (ISP), referring and exit websites and applications, operating system, date/time stamp, and clickstream data. We use this information to administer the site, to learn about user behavior on the site, to improve our product and services, and to gather demographic information about our user base as a whole. Hotsnow may use this information in our marketing and advertising services.
In some cases, we use a "click-through URL" linked to content on the Hotsnow website. When customers click one of these URLs, they pass through a separate web server before arriving at the destination page on our website. We track this click-through data to help us determine interest in particular topics and measure the effectiveness of our marketing communications. We also use it to account for Affiliate activity and pay Affiliate commissions and bonuses.
VI. Mobile Device Privacy. When accessing Hotsnow's website via a mobile device, data may be collected automatically, such as the type of mobile device you have and information about Your use of the site. Regardless of the device You use to access the website, it will also collect information You provide, as well as information about Your interaction with the website and its content.
If location services are activated on Your mobile device, our website may collect information about the location of Your device. Your mobile network service providers may collect device-specific information, such as a device identifier, when You use our website. This information collected by Your mobile network service will not be associated with Your user account with us, or with Your personally identifiable information.
VII. Disclosure to Third Parties. At times Hotsnow may make certain personal information available to strategic partners that work with Hotsnow to provide products and services, or that help Hotsnow market to customers. Personal information will only be shared by Hotsnow to provide or improve our products, services and advertising; it will not be shared with third parties for their marketing purposes.
- Affiliates. Hotsnow will provide Your email address to affiliates or users who refer You to us, or through whom You create a Hotsnow account.
- Service Providers. Hotsnow shares personal information with companies who provide services such as information processing, fulfilling customer orders, delivering products to You, managing and enhancing customer data, providing customer service, and assessing Your interest in our products and services. Hotsnow also shares Your information with financial institutions who provide payment (both to and from You) services. Finally, Hotsnow provides Your personal information with API integrators You have chosen, and other third-party software services to assist You with seamless instant messaging, chat bot AI and calling services. These companies are obligated to protect Your information and may be located wherever Hotsnow operates.
- Legal. It may be necessary − by law, litigation, or requests from government authorities within or outside Your country of residence − for Hotsnow to disclose Your personal information. We may also disclose information about You if we determine that for purposes of national security, law enforcement, or other issues of public importance, disclosure is necessary or appropriate. We may also disclose information about You if we determine that disclosure is reasonably necessary to enforce our terms and conditions or protect our operations or users.
- Corporate Change. Additionally, in the event of a reorganization, merger, or sale of Hotsnow we may transfer any and all personal information we collect to the relevant third party.
VIII. Protection of Personal Information. Hotsnow takes the security of Your personal information very seriously. When Your personal data is stored by Hotsnow, we use computer systems with limited access housed in facilities using physical security measures. When You use some Hotsnow products and services that by their nature are public facing, such as when You post on a Hotsnow forum, the personal information and content You share is visible to other users and can be read, collected, or used by them. You are responsible for the personal information You choose to share or submit in these instances. For example, if You list Your name and e-mail address in a forum posting, that information is public. Please take care when using these features.
IX. Retention of Personal Information. Hotsnow will retain Your personal information for as long as You have a Hotsnow account. After Your Hotsnow account is terminated, we will retain Your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
X. Access to Personal Information. You can help ensure that Your contact information and preferences are accurate, complete, and up to date by logging in to Your Hotsnow account. For other personal information we hold, we will provide You with access (including a copy) upon Your request. We may decline to process requests that are frivolous, vexatious, jeopardize the privacy of others, are extremely impractical, or for which access is not otherwise required by local law. Access, correction, or deletion requests can be made by contacting info@prodigylegal.com
XI. Children & Education. We understand the importance of taking extra precautions to protect the privacy and safety of children using Hotsnow products and services. Children under the age of 18, are not permitted to create their own Hotsnow IDs; instead, a parent must obtain the account and provide the parent's information to Hotsnow. If we learn that we have collected the personal information of a child under 18 we will delete the information as soon as possible.
XII. Third Party Sites and Services. Hotsnow websites, products, applications, and services may contain links to third-party websites, products, and services. Our products and services may also use or offer products or services from third parties. Information collected by third parties is governed by their privacy practices. We encourage You to learn about the privacy practices of those third parties.
XIII. Your Rights Under the GDPR. If You are a citizen or a resident of a country in the European Union, the GDPR grants You the following rights:
a. Access to Your Personal Data. You have the right to receive a copy of Your personal data that is subject to processing by Hotsnow. Ordinary requests will be granted without charge to You within one calendar month of when You make the request. In cases of excessive, unreasonable, or repeated requests Hotsnow may charge You a reasonable fee and may require additional time to grant Your request. Also, Hotsnow may use reasonable means to confirm Your identity before granting any request for data so as to prevent granting fraudulent requests. To request a copy of Your personal data, please contact us by e-mail at support@Hotsnow.com
b. To have Your Data Corrected. If Your personal data is erroneous or outdated, You have the right to have it corrected. To do so, please contact Hotsnow via e-mail at support@Hotsnow.com, or simply log in to Your account to correct it.
c. To be Forgotten. You have the right to be forgotten by Hotsnow. You may exercise this right by e-mailing us at support@Hotsnow.com. We will comply with Your request, at no charge to You, within one calendar month by deleting Your account, along with all of Your personally-identifiable data that is subject to any Hotsnow processing. Naturally, after we grant Your request You will not have access to any Hotsnow products or services unless and until You open a new Hotsnow account. Hotsnow may use reasonable means to confirm Your identity before granting any request for data so as to prevent the granting of fraudulent requests.
d. To Restrict Processing of Your Data. You can request that Your data not be processed via Hotsnow partners. You can make that request by e-mailing us at support@Hotsnow.com and, if you wish, you can even specify which third parties to restrict from processing Your data. We will respond to Your request, at no charge to You, within thirty (30) days from when You make Your request. Please be advised that some of our partners, e.g., Stripe, are essential to Hotsnow services, so that if You block processing by them, Hotsnow' services may be unavailable to You.
e. Portability. You have the right to receive a copy of Your personal data that is subject to processing by Hotsnow in a portable format, or to have it transferred directly from Hotsnow to another party. Ordinary requests will be granted without charge to You within one calendar month of when You make the request. Hotsnow may use reasonable means to confirm Your identity before granting any request to transfer data to You or another party so as to prevent granting fraudulent requests. To request a copy of Your personal data in a portable format, or to request a direct transfer of Your data, please contact us by e-mail at support@Hotsnow.com .
XIV. Your Responsibility Under GDPR. If You are a Hotsnow User, then that probably means You are a business owner, using the Hotsnow software to sell goods and services to Your customers. With respect to the customer data that You provide to Hotsnow, Hotsnow is a data processor and will comply with its obligations under the GDPR; but with respect to Your customers, You are probably a data controller, and if any of Your customers is a citizen or a resident of a country in the European Union, then You must ensure that You comply with Your obligations as a data controller under the GDPR; namely, You must ensure that You afford Your Customers the rights identified in section (a) above. Hotsnow sells software; it does not provide legal advice or legal services, nor does it sell a "done-for-you" GDPR compliance package. Please consult legal counsel of Your own choosing for advice on what You need to do to comply with GDPR.
XV. Our Companywide Commitment to Your Privacy. To make sure Your personal information is secure, we communicate our privacy and security guidelines to Hotsnow employees and strictly enforce privacy safeguards within the company. Hotsnow uses GDPR-compliant Data Processing Addendum (DPA) provided by AWS Amazon. GDPR introduces adherence to a "code of conduct" as a mechanism for demonstrating sufficient guarantees of requirements that the GDPR places on data processors. In this context, Hotsnow uses web service in compliance with the CISPE Code of Conduct. The CISPE Code of Conduct provides customers with additional assurances regarding their ability to fully control their data in a safe, secure, and compliant environment.
XVI. Privacy Questions. If You have any questions or concerns about Hotsnow' Privacy Policy or data processing or if You would like to make a complaint about a possible breach of local privacy laws, please contact our legal department at info@prodigylegal.com When a privacy question or an access or download request is received, we have a dedicated law firm to addressing the specific concern or query which You are seeking to raise. In responding to Your request, we may need to request more information from You. If You are unsatisfied with the response You receive, You may refer Your complaint to the relevant regulator in Your jurisdiction. If You ask us, we will endeavor to provide You with information about relevant complaint avenues which may be applicable to Your circumstances. If You live in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, and You wish to contact us regarding questions or to exercise Your statutory rights, please contact us at hotsnow@prodigylegal.com, or You may contact our Data Protection Officer, Avish Sharma (Corporate Attorney), at info@prodigylegal.com.
XVII. Updates to the Policy. Hotsnow may update its Privacy Policy and this GDPR Policy from time to time, as posted on our website.