Legal Name and Subsidiaries #
KnownHost, (“we,” us,” or “our”) comply with the Data Privacy Framework Principles.
Affirmation Statement #
KnownHost complies with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (EU-U.S. DPF), the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (Swiss-U.S. DPF). We have certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce that we adhere to the EU-U.S. DPF Principles with regard to the processing of personal data received from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. If there is any conflict between the terms in this privacy policy and the DPF Principles, the Principles shall govern. To learn more about the Data Privacy Framework (DPF) program and to view our certification, please visit dataprivacyframework.gov.
Information #
When you engage with our services, we collect certain information to ensure a seamless experience and to provide support. This includes:
- Contact and Payment Information: When you sign up, we ask for contact details, such as your name, address, phone number, and email address. Payment information, including your credit card number and expiration date, is also collected and securely processed for billing purposes.
- Optional Demographic Information: We may invite you to participate in user surveys to provide demographic information (e.g., age, gender, interests). These details are optional and not required to use our services but help us improve and tailor our offerings.
- Customer Support Interactions: If you contact our support team, we may request additional information about your technical setup, such as your operating system and software versions, to resolve issues effectively.
- Website Usage and Interaction Data: When you visit our website, we automatically capture data such as your IP address, visit duration, and specific pages viewed. This information may be tied to your account to improve your experience and for security and analytical purposes.
- Cookies and Tracking: We place cookies on your device to recognize repeat visits and enhance functionality. Cookies may be linked to your personally identifiable information to provide a customized experience. For more on cookies, please see "What is a Cookie."
- Email Engagement: If we send you an email, it may contain a tracking marker to help us determine if the email was opened and viewed. This allows us to understand which communications are relevant to our users and helps us improve our messaging.
This information is gathered in accordance with our privacy practices and is used solely for the purposes outlined in this policy.
Use of Personally Identifiable Information #
We are committed to using your personally identifiable information responsibly and only for the purposes outlined below:
- Service Delivery and Payment Processing: Your information is essential for account setup, billing, and processing payments, as well as for providing customer support.
- Communication of Offers and Updates: We may use your email to send occasional updates, special offers, or relevant information about our services. We may also announce special offers on behalf of third-party partners; however, we do not share your email or other personal details with these third parties. You may opt out of such communications at any time by following the instructions included in the email.
- Service Improvement and Customization: We use aggregated data from user surveys, demographic insights, and website usage to improve and tailor our website and services to your preferences.
We will not disclose any personally identifiable information about you to other parties except under the following circumstances:
- Legal Compliance: When required by law, we may disclose your data to law enforcement or regulatory agencies as part of a lawful request.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of our business, your information may be transferred to the new entity, subject to continued privacy protections.
- Service Providers and Contractors: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors) who perform tasks on our behalf, provided they agree to keep your information confidential and comply with data protection laws.
- Protection of Rights and Safety: We may share data as necessary to protect our rights, your rights, or the rights of others, or to enforce our agreements.
Data Sale and Marketing Restrictions: We do not sell, rent, or transfer your information to third-party marketing lists, and we do not allow third parties to use your information for marketing purposes without your consent.
Retention of Ownership: All parties maintain their rights, titles, and interest in their respective data, information, and intellectual property. Nothing in this policy transfers ownership rights, and we claim no control over content you submit, post, or display via our services.
Disclosure Limitations: We will never disclose your data to third parties unless required by court or administrative order. If such a request is made, we will notify you where permitted.
Use of Non-Personally Identifiable Information #
We may collect and use non-personally identifiable information, such as aggregate statistical data, to improve our services and provide insights to third parties, such as advertisers, service providers, and suppliers. This data may include information about general customer demographics, website usage patterns, and trends, but it does not identify individual users personally.
We use this aggregated information to:
- Analyze and understand overall usage trends to enhance our website’s functionality and user experience.
- Improve our marketing efforts, allowing us to make more informed decisions regarding content and services.
- Collaborate with third parties to create relevant offers and advertisements based on general user preferences.
In all cases, we ensure that any shared non-personally identifiable information is anonymized and does not contain data that could identify individual users. We do not link this data to any personally identifiable information you may have provided to us.
Security of Your Information #
We prioritize the security of your personal and payment information by employing robust measures to protect it from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Key protections include:
- Encryption: All payment details are stored in an encrypted format, ensuring that your data remains secure during storage and transmission.
- Access Control: Access to sensitive data is restricted to authorized personnel only, based on a least-privilege principle, to minimize exposure.
- Regular Audits and Monitoring: Our systems undergo periodic security audits, and we monitor for any potential vulnerabilities or unauthorized access attempts.
- Industry-Standard Protocols: We utilize advanced security protocols, such as HTTPS and SSL/TLS, to safeguard your data during online transactions and interactions with our website.
- Data Anonymization: Where possible, we anonymize data to further enhance security and minimize personal exposure.
Despite these protections, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We continuously update our practices in line with industry standards to help safeguard your information against emerging threats. If you have concerns about the security of your data, please reach out to legal@knownhost.com.
Children's Privacy #
Our services are intended for use by individuals aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect, use, or maintain personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently gathered personal data from a child under 13, we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our records.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor their children’s online activities to ensure their privacy and safety. If you believe that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at legal@knownhost.com, and we will promptly address and remove the data in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
HIPAA Compliance #
Our services are not designed to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). KnownHost is neither a “Covered Entity” nor a “Business Associate” as defined by HIPAA and, therefore, is not subject to HIPAA’s standards or requirements.
Since HIPAA does not apply to our services, users should refrain from submitting, storing, or disclosing any health information that would be subject to HIPAA protections. Using our services for such data may not provide the safeguards required under HIPAA, and KnownHost makes no guarantee of compliance with HIPAA standards. If you have any questions about whether our services meet your needs for HIPAA compliance, please consult a qualified expert before proceeding.
Merger or Acquisition #
In the event of a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or other corporate transaction involving KnownHost, all personal data and information we hold may be transferred to the acquiring or successor entity. This transfer would occur as part of the transaction to ensure continuity of service and would be subject to the same privacy commitments outlined in this policy.
The new entity will be required to adhere to our existing privacy standards or provide you with notice of any significant changes to these standards. If applicable, we will notify users of the transfer and any new terms or privacy protections in advance, allowing you to make informed decisions regarding your data.
Complaint Contact #
We are committed to addressing privacy inquiries and resolving complaints in a prompt and thorough manner. If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about our data practices, please contact us via email at legal@knownhost.com.
In your message, please include a detailed description of your concern to help us address it effectively. We aim to acknowledge receipt of your complaint and will work with you to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. If we cannot resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, we will provide information about further options, including referral to our independent dispute resolution mechanism.
Independent Recourse Mechanism #
Pursuant to the DPF Program, EU, UK, and Swiss individuals have the right to obtain our confirmation of whether we maintain personal information relating to you in the United States. Upon request, we will provide you with access to the personal information that we hold about you. You may also correct, amend, or delete the personal information we hold about you. An individual who seeks access, or who seeks to correct, amend, or delete inaccurate data transferred to the United States under the DPF, should direct their query to legal@knownhost.com If requested to remove data, we will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
We will provide an individual opt-out choice, or opt-in for sensitive data, before we share your data with third parties other than our agents, or before we use it for a purpose other than which it was originally collected or subsequently authorized. To request to limit the use and disclosure of your personal information, please submit a written request to legal@knownhost.com.
In certain situations, we may be required to disclose personal data in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.
KnownHost’s accountability for personal data that it receives in the United States under the DPF and subsequently transfers to a third party is described in the DPF Principles. In particular, KnownHost remains responsible and liable under the DPF Principles if third-party agents that it engages to process personal data on its behalf do so in a manner inconsistent with the DPF Principles, unless KnownHost proves that it is not responsible for the event giving rise to the damage.
In compliance with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (EU-U.S. DPF), the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (Swiss-U.S. DPF), KnownHost commits to resolve complaints about our collection or use of personal information transferred to the U.S. EU, UK, and Swiss individuals with inquiries or complaints should first contact KnownHost at legal@knownhost.com. KnownHost has further committed to refer unresolved DPF Principles-related complaints to a U.S.-based independent dispute resolution mechanism, BBB NATIONAL PROGRAMS. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint, or if your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, please visit bbbprograms.org/dpf-complaints for more information and to file a complaint. This service is provided free of charge to you. If your DPF complaint cannot be resolved through the above channels, under certain conditions, you may invoke binding arbitration for some residual claims not resolved by other redress mechanisms. See dataprivacyframework.gov/s/article/ANNEX-I-introduction-dpf.
Enforcement #
KnownHost is subject to the investigatory and enforcement powers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Policy Date #
This policy was updated November 14th, 2024.
