Ruth Ridgeway Studio
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Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Ruth Ridgeway Studios (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and discloses personal information through our website [https://www.ruthridgeway.com/] and our advertising activities, including campaigns run on Google Ads, Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram), and other third-party advertising networks.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), and other applicable privacy regulations.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
  • Form Submissions: Information submitted through contact forms, newsletter signups, or lead generation forms
  • Communication Data: Messages you send to us through our website, email, or social media
  • Account Information: If you create an account, username, password, and profile information

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click-through rates, referral URLs
  • Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
  • Technical Data: Screen resolution, language preferences, time zone settings

2.3 Information from Third Parties

  • Advertising Partners: Data from Google Ads, Meta Pixel, and other advertising platforms
  • Analytics Providers: Information from Google Analytics and similar services
  • Social Media Platforms: Information when you interact with our social media content
  • Data Brokers: Publicly available information or information you’ve made available to third parties

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Provision

  • Responding to your inquiries and providing customer support
  • Delivering requested services or information
  • Processing transactions and managing your account

3.2 Marketing and Advertising

  • Creating and delivering personalized advertisements on Google, Meta, and partner websites
  • Measuring and analyzing advertising campaign performance
  • Remarketing to website visitors across advertising networks
  • Building custom and lookalike audiences for targeted advertising
  • Sending marketing communications (with your consent where required)

3.3 Analytics and Optimization

  • Analyzing website usage and user behavior
  • Improving our website functionality and user experience
  • Conducting A/B testing and performance optimization
  • Generating insights about our audience and market trends

3.4 Legal and Compliance

  • Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
  • Protecting our rights and preventing fraud or abuse
  • Enforcing our terms of service and other agreements\

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area, our legal basis for processing includes:

  • Consent: When you provide explicit consent for marketing or cookies
  • Legitimate Interests: For advertising, analytics, and business operations
  • Contract Performance: When processing is necessary to provide requested services
  • Legal Compliance: When required by applicable laws or regulations

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 Advertising Partners

We share information with the following advertising platforms:

  • Google Ads: For ad targeting, measurement, and optimization
  • Meta (Facebook/Instagram): For custom audiences and campaign measurement
  • Other Ad Networks

5.2 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist with:

  • Website hosting and maintenance
  • Email marketing and communication services
  • Analytics and data analysis
  • Customer relationship management
  • Payment processing

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect our rights and safety.

5.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

6.1 Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality
  • Performance Cookies: Used for analytics and optimization
  • Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
  • Advertising Cookies: Enable personalized advertising and measurement

6.2 Third-Party Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies from:

  • Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Tag Manager
  • Meta Pixel (Facebook Pixel)
  • Other advertising and analytics partners

6.3 Cookie Consent

By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool.

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 General Rights

  • Access: Request information about the personal data we hold about you
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal restrictions)
  • Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests

7.2 Marketing Opt-Out

7.3 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have additional rights:

  • Right to Know: Categories of personal information collected and shared
  • Right to Delete: Deletion of personal information (subject to exceptions)
  • Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: Not to receive discriminatory treatment for exercising rights

Do Not Sell My Personal Information: [INCLUDE LINK TO OPT-OUT FORM]

7.4 Virginia Residents (VCDPA)

Virginia residents have rights similar to CCPA, including the right to opt-out of targeted advertising.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, and resolve disputes. Specific retention periods include:

  • Contact Information: 3 years after last contact
  • Website Usage Data: 26 months
  • Marketing Data: Until opt-out or account deletion

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Encryption of data in transit and at rest
  • Regular security assessments and updates
  • Access controls and employee training
  • Secure data storage and backup procedures

10. International Data Transfers

If you are located outside [COUNTRY WHERE COMPANY IS BASED], your information may be transferred to and processed in countries with different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers, including:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
  • Adequacy decisions by relevant data protection authorities
  • Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on our website with a new effective date
  • Sending email notification to registered users (for material changes)
  • Providing prominent notice on our website

13. Contact Information

Privacy Inquiries

  • Email: info@ruthridgeway.com
  • Phone:  (203) 819-7799
  • Mail: 800 Union Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06607

We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law (typically 30-45 days).