Last Updated: January 30, 2025
Introduction
At SettlementGrid, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our debt relief connection services. By accessing or using our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. We encourage you to read this document carefully to understand our practices regarding your personal information and how we handle it.
Information We Collect
Voluntary Information
When you use our debt relief connection services, you voluntarily provide certain personal information through our request form. This includes your full name, email address, physical address, telephone number, and specific details about your current financial situation such as total debt amount, types of debt, and monthly income. We require this information to effectively evaluate your situation and connect you with appropriate debt relief service providers who may assist you.
Automatically Collected Information
Our website utilizes Matomo Analytics, a privacy-focused analytics platform, to gather anonymous usage data. Unlike traditional analytics platforms, our implementation of Matomo has been specifically configured to enhance user privacy. We never collect or store IP addresses, and all usage data is thoroughly anonymized before processing. This anonymous information includes browser type, device type, time spent on various pages, and general geographic location (at the country level only).
Form Submission Data
During the debt relief request process, we collect additional information about your financial circumstances. This may include employment status, income sources, current creditors, and outstanding balances. This information is crucial for matching you with appropriate debt relief programs and is handled with the utmost confidentiality. We maintain detailed records of when and how you provided this information to ensure transparency and compliance with data protection regulations.
Data Processing and Usage
Primary Purpose
The fundamental purpose of collecting your information is to facilitate connections with debt relief service providers. We process your data to understand your financial situation, identify suitable debt relief options, and match you with providers who can best address your needs. This processing includes analyzing debt levels, income ratios, and other financial factors to ensure appropriate service provider recommendations.
Analytics Implementation
Our use of Matomo Analytics represents our commitment to privacy-focused data analysis. The platform is configured with the following privacy-enhancing features:
- Complete IP address anonymization before storage
- Local data hosting on secure, encrypted servers
- Minimized cookie usage with user-controlled settings
- Automatic data aggregation and anonymization
- User-friendly opt-out mechanisms
Communication Practices
We use your contact information to send important updates about your debt relief requests, service provider matches, and account status. Our communication system is designed to provide relevant information while respecting your privacy preferences. Each communication includes clear instructions for managing your preferences or opting out of future messages.
Information Security
Technical Safeguards
Our security infrastructure employs multiple layers of protection to safeguard your personal information. We utilize industry-standard encryption protocols for data transmission, maintain secure server environments with regular security updates, and implement strict access controls for all systems containing personal information. Our security measures are regularly audited and updated to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
Data Storage Practices
Personal information submitted through our platform is stored on secure servers located in certified data centers within the United States. We maintain comprehensive backup systems while ensuring that data retention periods are appropriate and necessary for our services. All stored data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using current industry-standard encryption protocols.
Cookie Usage
Our website requires certain cookies to function effectively and provide our services. We categorize our cookies as follows:
- Essential Operation Cookies: Required for basic website functionality and security
- Analytics Cookies: Used by Matomo for anonymous usage tracking
- Session Management Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
Third-Party Data Handling
When we connect you with debt relief service providers, your information becomes subject to their respective privacy policies and practices. We carefully evaluate our service provider partners and require them to maintain appropriate data protection standards. However, we strongly encourage you to review each provider’s privacy policy before engaging their services. We maintain detailed records of data transfers to service providers and require them to notify us of any data incidents that may affect your information.
User Rights and Control
Access and Control
You maintain significant control over your personal information within our system. Upon request, we provide comprehensive access to all personal data we hold about you. You may request corrections to inaccurate information, ask for deletion of your data, or withdraw previous consent for data processing. We process all such requests promptly and maintain detailed records of request fulfillment to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy and to comply with legal obligations. When data is no longer needed, it is securely deleted using industry-standard data sanitization methods. We maintain detailed retention schedules and regularly review stored data to ensure compliance with our retention policies.
Legal Framework
Jurisdictional Compliance
This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with applicable data protection laws across multiple jurisdictions. We regularly monitor changes in privacy legislation and update our practices accordingly. Our policy framework includes specific provisions to address requirements from various privacy regulations, including state-specific privacy laws within the United States.
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes arising under this privacy policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts where SettlementGrid is registered. We maintain dedicated legal resources to address privacy-related concerns and strive to resolve any issues through direct communication before proceeding to formal dispute resolution.
Contact Information
For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Officer at:
Email: [email protected]
Policy Updates
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our practices or regulatory requirements. Significant changes will be announced through our website and, when appropriate, via direct communication to users. The current version of this policy will always be available on our website, with the effective date clearly indicated at the top of the document.