Privacy Policy

When you reach out to us or use our site, we might collect stuff like:

• Basic contact details: Your name, email, phone number - the usual suspects when you fill out our contact form or send us a message.
• Project info: Whatever you tell us about your project, site location, budget ranges, timeline ideas. This helps us understand if we're a good fit.
• Technical data: IP addresses, browser types, device info - standard web stuff that happens automatically. We use this to make sure the site works properly across different devices.
• Communication records: Emails, call notes, meeting summaries. We keep these so we don't lose track of what we discussed three months ago.

We don't collect anything we don't need. If you're just browsing around looking at our projects, we're not gathering personal data beyond basic analytics.

Here's what we do with the information you share:

• Getting back to you: Pretty obvious - if you contact us, we need your info to respond. Can't really have a conversation otherwise.
• Project work: When we're working together, we use your details for proposals, contracts, site visits, coordinating with consultants and contractors.
• Improving our services: We look at what kinds of projects people are interested in, which helps us understand what folks in Vancouver and beyond are looking for.
• Legal stuff: Sometimes we gotta keep records for regulatory requirements, building code compliance, professional liability insurance.
• Occasional updates: If you've worked with us or expressed interest, we might send updates about our new projects or services. But we're not gonna spam you - that's annoying.

We absolutely don't sell your information to third parties. That's not our business model, and frankly, it's kinda creepy.

We keep things pretty tight, but there are a few situations where others might see your information:

• Our team: Obviously, the folks working on your project need access to your details. Everyone at Kythera Saga signs confidentiality agreements.
• Consultants and contractors: On active projects, we share relevant info with structural engineers, contractors, surveyors - the people who need it to do their jobs.
• Service providers: We use cloud storage, email services, project management tools. These companies have their own privacy policies and security measures.
• Legal requirements: If we're legally obligated to disclose something (court orders, regulatory compliance), we will. But we'd let you know if possible.

That's pretty much it. We're not in the business of sharing your info around unnecessarily.

Yeah, we use cookies. Not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately. Here's what's going on:

• Essential cookies: These keep the site functioning properly. Without them, things break.
• Analytics cookies: We use these to see how people navigate the site, which pages are popular, where visitors are coming from. It's all aggregated data - we're not tracking individuals.
• Preference cookies: These remember your settings so you don't have to adjust things every time you visit.

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. You can block them if you want, though some features might not work as smoothly.

We don't use advertising cookies because we don't run ads. Architecture projects come through relationships and referrals, not targeted advertising campaigns.

Security's important to us. We've got measures in place:

• Encrypted connections: Our site uses SSL encryption - that's the little lock icon you see in your browser.
• Secure storage: Data's stored on servers with proper security protocols, access controls, and regular backups.
• Limited access: Only team members who need access to specific information get it.
• Regular updates: We keep our systems updated with the latest security patches.

That said, no system's 100% foolproof. We do our best, but if you're sending super sensitive stuff, encrypted email or a phone call might be better than a web form.

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA and BC's privacy legislation), you've got rights:

• Access: You can ask what information we have about you. We'll provide it within a reasonable timeframe.
• Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it.
• Deletion: Want us to delete your info? We can do that, unless we're legally required to keep it (like for tax records or completed projects).
• Opt-out: Don't want to receive updates from us? Just say so. There's an unsubscribe link in any emails we send.
• Complaints: If you think we've handled your info improperly, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at info@kytherasaga.info or give us a call. We'll sort it out.

We don't keep stuff forever, but some things need to stick around:

• Active projects: During a project and for several years after completion, we keep all related documentation. This is partly for legal reasons and partly because clients sometimes come back with questions years later.
• Inquiries: If you contacted us but we didn't end up working together, we keep that info for about two years, then it gets deleted.
• Financial records: Tax law requires us to keep these for seven years.
• Legal requirements: Some records need to be kept longer based on building codes, professional regulations, or potential liability issues.

Once we don't need something anymore and there's no legal reason to keep it, we delete it securely.

We're based in Vancouver, Canada, but the internet's global. Some of the services we use (cloud storage, email providers) might store data on servers in other countries, including the United States.

These countries might have different privacy laws than Canada. We only work with service providers that have solid privacy practices and appropriate safeguards in place.

If your data ends up stored outside Canada, it's subject to the laws of that country. But we're still responsible for protecting it according to Canadian privacy standards.

Things change - laws get updated, we might add new services, technology evolves. When we update this privacy policy, we'll change the date at the top and post the new version here.

If there are major changes that significantly affect how we handle your data, we'll let you know directly via email. For minor updates and clarifications, checking back here occasionally is a good idea.

We're not gonna change our core principles though - we're still gonna be straightforward about what we collect and why, and we're still not selling your data to anyone.

If something's unclear or you've got questions about how we handle your information, just reach out. Seriously, we're happy to talk about it.

We'll get back to you within a few business days. If you're not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at 1-800-282-1376 or through their website.