Privacy Policy for HomesteadBit

1. Introduction

At HomesteadBit (accessible via homesteadbit.com), we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding the personal data processed through your interaction with our services. We adhere to strict data protection and information security standards and comply with applicable laws, including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), ensuring your personal data is handled responsibly and transparently.

2. Scope of This Policy and Role of Data Controller

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website homesteadbit.com and related digital services. For purposes of applicable data protection law, including the GDPR, HomesteadBit is the data controller responsible for the collection and use of your personal data as described herein. Our obligations under this policy apply to all individuals accessing or using our website or communicating with us through other channels.

3. Categories of Personal Data We Process

We collect, use, store, and transfer various categories of personal data, outlined below:

a. Usage Data
Includes information about how you use our website, such as IP address, geographic location, browser type and version, device identifiers, time zone settings, pages viewed, time spent per page, referral source, and actions taken during sessions.

b. Account Data
Includes identifying information provided by you when you create an account or register with our services, including your full name, billing or shipping address, email address, and phone number.

c. Profile Data
Includes information related to your preferences, purchase history, browsing behavior on homesteadbit.com, wish lists, ratings, saved items, and other personalized data generated through your interactions with our site and services.

d. Communication Data
Includes records of communication you have with HomesteadBit, such as messages sent via contact forms, support inquiries, dispute emails, chats, and call records, including metadata (date, time, communication method).

e. Technical Data
Includes information about your device and systems, such as device model, operating system, network configuration, screen resolution, and performance data during website use.

f. Transaction Data
Includes details about payments and orders you have made through homesteadbit.com, including products purchased, order amounts, payment method (excluding complete payment credentials), delivery details, and billing address.

g. Preference Data
Includes your marketing and communication preferences, such as consents provided for promotional emails, interests in new features or categories, and opt-out choices associated with cookies and personalized ads.

4. Legal Bases for Processing Personal Data

In accordance with Article 6 of the GDPR, we process your personal data under the following legal bases, depending on the nature of the data and the purpose of processing:

– Performance of a contract: When data is required to fulfill our obligations to you, such as processing a transaction or delivering products.
– Consent: For optional processing, such as marketing communication and certain cookies, we rely on your explicit, informed consent.
– Legitimate interest: For purposes such as improving our website operations, fraud prevention, and ensuring network and information security, where your rights do not override our interests.
– Legal obligation: We may process data to comply with applicable laws including tax and consumer protection requirements.

5. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Subject to the conditions set forth under applicable law, including the GDPR and CCPA, you have the following rights regarding your personal data processed by HomesteadBit:

– Right of Access: Obtain confirmation of what data we process and for what purposes.
– Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
– Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data where there is no legitimate reason for us to retain it.
– Right to Restriction: Limit the ways in which we use your data under certain conditions.
– Right to Data Portability: Receive a copy of your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format and transmit it to another controller.
– Right to Object: Withdraw consent or object to processing carried out on grounds of legitimate interest.
– Right to Non-Discrimination (CCPA): We do not discriminate against individuals for exercising their rights under CCPA.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected].

6. Security Measures

HomesteadBit implements commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data. These include:
– Encryption using TLS protocols for data transmission;
– Access controls and role-based authorization to safeguard against unauthorized access;
– Regular data backups and recovery plans to maintain business continuity;
– Internal training of staff in data protection and secure processing practices;
– Strict vendor vetting for third-party services with access to personal data.

7. International Transfers

Where necessary, HomesteadBit may transfer data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including to the United States. In such cases, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are established, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission or other lawful mechanisms recognized under data protection laws, to ensure an adequate level of data protection.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as is necessary for the purposes described in this policy, or as required to meet legal, regulatory, or operational obligations:

– Usage Data: Retained for up to 12 months for analytics and platform security.
– Account Data: Retained as long as your account is active and for up to 7 years afterward for compliance purposes.
– Profile and Preference Data: Retained for 3–5 years or until your account is deleted.
– Communication Data: Retained for 3 years from the date of last interaction.
– Transaction Data: Retained for 7 years in accordance with financial and tax requirements.
– Technical Data: Retained for a maximum of 12 months unless anonymized for diagnostic purposes.

9. Cookie Policy

We utilize cookies and similar tracking technologies to deliver better user experience and analytical capabilities. Categories include:

– Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality, such as maintaining session data.
– Functional Cookies: Enable personalization and enhanced site features.
– Analytics Cookies: Collect statistical data to understand usage trends and performance.
– Advertising/Performance Cookies: Gather insights to deliver relevant ads and limit ad repetition.

10. Cookie Management and Legal Compliance

Under GDPR and CCPA, users have the right to accept or refuse non-essential cookies. Upon first visit to homesteadbit.com, you are presented with a cookie consent banner. You can modify or withdraw your cookie preferences at any time via our Cookie Settings page located in the website footer. Do Not Track (DNT) signals from browsers are recognized in compliance with applicable laws.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or process personal data from individuals in this age group. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a minor under 13 years old, we will promptly delete the data. Parents or guardians who believe their child has submitted data may contact us at [email protected].

12. Policy Updates

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in laws, our services, or processing practices. Where material changes are made, we will provide appropriate notice, such as a notification on homesteadbit.com or direct communication where feasible. Continued use of our website following any change constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, your personal data, or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Website: homesteadbit.com

We are committed to handling your privacy concerns responsibly and in accordance with applicable law.