Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Meritvane Ratings ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors to our website and users of our services. This Privacy Policy sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.

By accessing our website or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please do not use our website or services.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of information:

• Contact information — such as your name, email address, and telephone number when you submit an enquiry or request access to our platform.
• Account information — details you provide when registering for or using our services, including login credentials and preferences.
• Usage data — information about how you interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent, and referring sources.
• Technical data — IP address, browser type, device information, and operating system, collected automatically through standard web technologies.
• Communications — records of correspondence if you contact us directly, including support requests and feedback.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide, operate, and maintain our website and services.
• To respond to enquiries, requests, and support communications.
• To improve, personalise, and expand our website and offerings.
• To understand and analyse how visitors use our website.
• To communicate with you, including sending updates about our services where you have consented to receive them.
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or security concerns.
• To comply with applicable legal obligations.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Where applicable data protection law requires a legal basis for processing personal data, we rely on one or more of the following: your consent, the necessity of processing to perform a contract with you, our legitimate interests in operating and improving our services, and compliance with legal obligations to which we are subject.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyse site traffic, and understand visitor behaviour. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent; however, some parts of the website may not function properly without them.

6. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We do not sell personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

• With service providers who perform functions on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, or communications, under appropriate confidentiality obligations.
• To comply with a legal obligation, court order, or governmental request.
• To protect and defend our rights or property, or the safety of our users or others.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to equivalent privacy protections.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, including to satisfy any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or anonymise it.

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, which may include the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain exceptions.
• Object to or restrict certain processing activities.
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format.
• Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided on our Contact page.

10. International Data Transfers

If we transfer personal information across borders, we take steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place consistent with applicable data protection requirements.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of such external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed at individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us so that we may take appropriate action.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We encourage you to review this page periodically for the latest information on our privacy practices.