Privacy Policy for austinsettle.net

Effective Date: August 23, 2025

Introduction

Welcome to austinsettle.net ("Website"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable EU laws. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled responsibly.

Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:
Austin Settle
Silbergasse 36 Vienna, 1190 Austria

Email: studio@austinsettle.net

1. Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data about you:

Personal Information: Name, email address, or other contact details you voluntarily provide through contact forms, subscriptions, or other interactions with the Website.
Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the Website, such as IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on the Website.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze Website performance, and personalize content. See our Cookie Policy for details.

2. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds under GDPR:

Consent: Where you have given explicit consent, such as for receiving newsletters or personalized content (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR).
Contract: To fulfill a contract or take steps at your request before entering a contract, such as processing inquiries (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR).
Legitimate Interests: For purposes such as improving our Website, ensuring security, or analyzing usage trends, where our interests are not overridden by your rights (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Legal Obligation: To comply with legal requirements, such as tax or regulatory obligations (Article 6(1)(c) GDPR).

3. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

To provide and maintain the Website’s functionality.
To respond to your inquiries, comments, or requests.
To send newsletters, updates, or promotional materials, if you have consented.
To analyze Website usage and improve our services.
To ensure the security of the Website and prevent fraud.
To comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your data with:

Service Providers: Third-party providers (e.g., hosting services, analytics providers) who process data on our behalf under strict data processing agreements compliant with GDPR.
Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred, with appropriate safeguards in place.

5. Data Transfers Outside the EU/EEA

If your personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission.
Transfers to countries with an adequacy decision by the EU Commission.
Binding Corporate Rules or other GDPR-compliant mechanisms.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law. For example:

Contact form data is retained until your inquiry is resolved, unless further retention is consented to or required.
Usage data and analytics may be retained for up to [specify period, e.g., 12 months] for performance analysis.
After the retention period, your data is securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Your Rights Under GDPR

As a data subject in the EU, you have the following rights:

Access: Request access to your personal data we hold.
Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure: Request deletion of your data under certain conditions ("right to be forgotten").
Restriction: Request restriction of processing in specific cases.
Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.
Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with a supervisory authority in your EU member state.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [Your Contact Email]. We will respond within one month, as required by GDPR, unless the request is complex.

8. Cookie Policy

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze Website performance. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool. Essential cookies are necessary for the Website’s functionality and do not require consent. For non-essential cookies (e.g., analytics, marketing), we obtain your explicit consent in accordance with GDPR.

Types of Cookies

Essential Cookies: Required for basic Website functionality, such as navigation and access to secure areas.
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use the Website, enabling us to improve performance.
Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver personalized content or advertisements, if applicable.

You can withdraw consent or adjust cookie settings at any time via [link to cookie settings or instructions].

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data, including:

Encryption of data in transit and at rest.
Regular security assessments and updates.
Access controls to limit data access to authorized personnel only.

Despite these measures, no online system is completely secure. In the event of a data breach, we will notify you and the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours, as required by GDPR.

10. Third-Party Links

The Website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal data.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our Website is not intended for individuals under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If we become aware of such data, we will take steps to delete it.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes via the Website or by email (if applicable). The updated policy will be effective from the date stated at the top.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to exercise your GDPR rights, please contact us at:
Austin Settle

Silbergasse 36 Vienna, 1190 Austria