Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 8, 2025
Last Updated: June 13, 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how AI & Crypto Directory (“AICDirectory.com,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you access our website (https://AICDirectory.com), platform, products, tools, services, or communicate with us. By using AICDirectory.com, you agree to the practices described below. If you do not agree, please do not use our services. Our platform is intended for users 18 and older.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

a. Personal Information
  • Provided by You: Name, email address, phone number, billing address (for purchases or subscriptions), social media handles or links, and business name/contact details (if applicable).
  • Lead Generation: Information you voluntarily provide in forms (e.g., for quotes from lawyers, accountants, or miners).
  • Optional: Other data you submit in profiles or communications.
b. Non-Personal Data (Automatically Collected)
  • IP address, browser type, device type, operating system.
  • Pages visited, time spent, actions taken (e.g., clicks, searches).
  • Cookies, log data, and analytics metadata (e.g., session duration).
  • Referral links and affiliate tracking identifiers.
c. User-Generated Content
  • Comments, reviews, submissions, uploaded content, or form data.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide, operate, and maintain our platform and services.
  • Personalize your experience and recommend relevant content or tools.
  • Process payments and deliver products or services.
  • Facilitate lead generation (e.g., connecting you with professionals for quotes).
  • Communicate with you, including responding to inquiries and sending updates or newsletters.
  • Improve our platform through analytics and usage trends.
  • Detect, prevent, and investigate fraud, security issues, or misuse.
  • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

3. Legal Bases for Processing

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

  • Consent: When you voluntarily provide information (e.g., subscribing to newsletters, filling out lead generation forms) or agree to cookies via this policy.
  • Contractual Necessity: To fulfill purchases, subscriptions, or service agreements (e.g., processing billing information).
  • Legal Obligation: To comply with laws, such as tax or anti-fraud regulations.
  • Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, ensure platform security, or conduct analytics, provided your rights are not overridden. You may object to processing based on legitimate interests by contacting us.

4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies (e.g., web beacons, pixels) to enhance your experience and operate our platform. Below are the details:

  • Types of Cookies:
    • Essential Cookies: Necessary for core functionality (e.g., session management, login authentication). Duration: Session-based (deleted when you close your browser).
    • Analytics Cookies: Track usage patterns (e.g., pages visited, time spent) to improve our platform. Provided by Google Analytics, Meta Pixel (may receive IP addresses). Duration: Up to 2 years.
    • Affiliate Cookies: Track referrals from affiliate link codes to attribute commissions or facilitate lead generation. Duration: Up to 30 days.
  • Purposes:
    • Ensure platform functionality.
    • Analyze traffic and optimize user experience.
    • Support affiliate programs and lead generation (see Section 5).
  • Consent and Opt-Out:
    • Essential cookies are always active to operate the platform.
    • Non-essential cookies (analytics, affiliate) are disclosed in this policy. By using our platform, you consent to their use. You can opt out by disabling cookies in your browser settings or not submitting lead generation forms.
    • Disabling cookies may limit features (e.g., personalized recommendations).
    • Note: We are implementing a cookie consent banner to enhance compliance. Until then, manage cookies via your browser.
  • Third-Party Cookies: Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, and WordPress plugins may set cookies for analytics. Review their privacy policies for details.

5. Affiliate Programs and Lead Generation

We participate in affiliate programs, earning commissions when you click affiliate link codes and make purchases, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate cookies track anonymized data (e.g., referral URLs, click timestamps) to attribute commissions, expiring after 30 days. For lead generation (e.g., quotes from lawyers, accountants, miners), you may voluntarily submit personal information via forms. We share this data with relevant professionals only with your explicit consent. You can opt out of affiliate cookies via browser settings or decline to submit lead generation forms.

6. Third-Party Services

We use trusted third-party services to support our platform, including:

  • Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal (receive name, billing address for payments).
  • Analytics Providers: Google Analytics, Meta Pixel (receive IP addresses, usage data).
  • E-commerce and Plugins: WooCommerce, Printify, other WordPress plugins (collect data per their policies).
  • Marketing Tools: Mailchimp (receives email addresses for newsletters).
  • Integrations: YouTube API, Discord (collect data per their policies).

These providers process data under their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review. We use data processing agreements to ensure compliance with applicable laws. We are not responsible for third-party misuse of data after it leaves our platform.

7. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information under CCPA or other state privacy laws (e.g., Virginia, Colorado). We may share data in these cases:

  • Service Providers: With vetted partners (e.g., GoDaddy hosting, payment processors) who assist in operating our platform, bound by data processing agreements.
  • Legal Compliance: To respond to subpoenas, court orders, or legal processes.
  • Business Transfers: During mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales, with safeguards to protect your data.
  • With Consent: If you authorize sharing (e.g., for lead generation).

8. Data Retention

We retain data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:

  • Personal Information: Billing data is kept for 7 years to comply with tax laws (per Stripe’s practices); account data is retained until you request deletion.
  • Non-Personal Data: Analytics data is kept for up to 2 years.
  • User-Generated Content: Retained until you request deletion or your account is closed.

Data is securely deleted or anonymized after the retention period or upon your request, except where required for legal compliance (e.g., tax records).

9. Data Security

We implement industry-standard measures to protect your data, hosted by GoDaddy:

  • Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit using HTTPS/TLS (via SSL/TLS certificates) and at rest using industry-standard encryption algorithms.
  • Access Controls: Restricted access to data with authentication protocols.
  • Security Systems: Firewalls, intrusion detection, and regular vulnerability scans.
  • Audits: Periodic security assessments to identify risks.

No system is 100% secure, but we take reasonable steps to safeguard your data. In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and authorities within 72 hours (GDPR) or promptly (CCPA).

10. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights under GDPR, CCPA, or other state laws (e.g., Virginia, Colorado):

  • Access: Request a copy of your data.
  • Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Deletion: Request removal of your data, subject to legal obligations.
  • Restriction: Limit certain processing activities.
  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests (e.g., analytics).
  • Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Withdraw Consent: Opt out of non-essential processing (e.g., newsletters, cookies).
  • Non-Discrimination: We will not deny services or charge different prices for exercising your rights.
  • Complaints: EU users may lodge complaints with their local data protection authority.

To Exercise Rights:

  • Email CustomerCare@AICDirectory.com with your name and proof of identity.
  • We will respond within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA), with possible extensions for complex requests.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our platform is restricted to users 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect data from individuals under 18. If we discover data from an underage user, we will delete it promptly. Contact us at CustomerCare@AICDirectory.com if you believe we have collected such data.

12. Email Communications

By providing your email, you consent to receive communications from us, such as newsletters or service updates. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in our emails. We comply with the CAN-SPAM Act and handle your contact data responsibly.

13. International Data Transfers

If you are outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States, hosted by GoDaddy. For EU/UK users, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses to ensure adequate protection. By using our services, you consent to this transfer. Note that U.S. laws (e.g., CLOUD Act) may allow government access to data, which we disclose transparently.

14. Automated Decision-Making

We may use AI algorithms to recommend content or tools based on your browsing history and preferences. These decisions do not have significant legal or similar effects on you. You may request human intervention or challenge recommendations by emailing CustomerCare@AICDirectory.com.

15. Data Breach Notification

If a data breach occurs, we will:

  • Notify affected users via email or site notice within 72 hours (GDPR) or promptly (CCPA).
  • Report to relevant authorities as required.
  • Implement internal procedures to detect, respond to, and mitigate breaches.

We are developing processes to ensure timely detection and response to security incidents.

16. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect legal or operational changes. For material changes (e.g., affecting your rights), we will notify you via email or site notice at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. If you disagree, you may request account deletion by emailing CustomerCare@AICDirectory.com.

17. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights:
📧 CustomerCare@AICDirectory.com
🌐 https://AICDirectory.com
📍 Contact us at CustomerCare@AICDirectory.com for our business address. Any legal disputes must be filed in Pinellas County, Florida.