Last Updated: September 30, 2024
The Appliance Surge Platform (also referred to herein as “Appliance Surge” or “Platform”) is a collection of websites and applications designed for asynchronous collaboration and knowledge sharing, owned and operated by Appliance Surge, Inc. ("Appliance Surge," “we,” or “us”).
Appliance Surge welcomes you to the Platform, a vibrant community of appliance repair professionals and enthusiasts, and invites you to participate by sharing your expertise with fellow users.
WE DO NOT AND WILL NOT SELL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.
INTRODUCTION TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY
Appliance Surge’s products, services, and websites can be accessed by users from various locations, including jurisdictions with specific privacy regulations.
This Privacy Policy, along with our related Privacy Notices (see below), explains how we collect, use, protect, share, and transfer information about you when you use any of our products, services, websites, apps, or otherwise interact with us through the Platform. It also outlines how we handle information pertaining to California residents under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
"Personal data" in this policy includes “personal information,” as defined under the CCPA. Personal data is any information that can identify or be used to identify you, either on its own or in combination with other data. This may include details such as your name, email address, and username; information about your device (e.g., IP address); and data regarding how you interact with our sites, apps, and services.
Below is an overview of how our privacy notices function. Depending on how you engage with us, we will collect and process your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and any applicable privacy notice(s).
This Privacy Policy applies whenever you interact with us through the Platform or use any of our products and services.
- If you engage with us through specific communities or features on Appliance Surge, please refer to the relevant Privacy Notice for that community or feature.
- If you access our services through a private organization’s network or integration with Appliance Surge, we will process your information as described in the respective Privacy Notice for those services.
- If you are a job applicant for a position at Appliance Surge, our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice will apply.
- If you are an employee, our Employee Privacy Notice will apply.
GENERAL PRIVACY NOTICE FOR APPLIANCE SURGE
This Privacy Notice applies to you when you participate in our Public Community Platform for Questions and Answers by interacting with us through the Appliance Surge Platform ("Public Platform"), or when you engage with us in other ways, such as purchasing or using our advertising services, products, or when contacting our Customer Service, Sales, or other teams for assistance or inquiries ("Services").
The Public Platform allows users to engage in a community to share and acquire knowledge and expertise. This community is moderated by its members, and all content shared on the Public Platform is public and visible to anyone, subject to our Public Network Terms of Use.
Below, you will find details about the personal information we collect about you when you use the Public Platform, Products, or Services, how and why we collect it, how we use it, and how we keep it secure.
This Privacy Notice also explains your rights, how you can exercise those rights, and how the law protects you.
Appliance Surge, Inc. is the Controller responsible for your personal data collected on the Public Platform or directly by us for operational purposes. In certain cases, we may act as a Processor for organizations that provide your data to us when using our Products and Services.
If you interact with Appliance Surge through your organization, please refer to the specific privacy notices that apply to those Products or Services.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or how we use your personal data, please contact us at support@appliancesurge.com.
WHAT INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?
This section outlines the categories and types of personal information we collect across our Products and Services.
We collect and process your personal information in order to provide and optimize the Appliance Surge Platform, as well as to offer you our Products and Services.
If you choose not to provide personal information when requested, you may not be able to access all or some of our services, including certain features of the Platform. For example, without providing an email address or other required account registration details, we will not be able to register you for account services.
We Collect:
Identity Data
We collect information such as your username, password, email address, and IP address (collected each time you visit the Platform). This information is used to identify individual users on the Platform and to attribute activities and achievements to your account. Your username and other content you provide, such as your profile picture, question and answer content, and reputation, are publicly visible. We, or community moderators, may delete your content, and after deletion, such information is only available to certain community members or Appliance Surge employees.
Contact Data
This includes your email address and, if provided, telephone numbers, which are used for operational purposes, including delivering services and facilitating your interactions on the Platform.
Technical Data
We collect technical information such as your IP address, login data, browser type and version, time zone setting, operating system, and other technical data that helps us understand how you access our website. This information is used for security, diagnosis, and optimizing the Platform's performance and user experience.
Account Registration Information
When you register for an Appliance Surge account, we collect your name, email address, and username, along with any additional information you provide. A unique identification number is generated to recognize you when signed in. We require personal information for account registration, and while the Platform allows anonymous participation in some areas, some Products or Services may require account registration with an associated name and contact information.
Profile Information
When completing your public profile, we may require you to share certain personally identifying information in both required and optional fields. Your account name, which can be reviewed and changed in your settings, and your reputation points, are publicly displayed and connected to your activity on the Platform. Moderators, who have elevated access privileges, may view non-public user profile data and other content. You can control most of your profile information in your settings, adjusting visibility as needed.
Information Used for Identification and Authentication
We collect data necessary to recognize and authenticate you when accessing your account. This information helps us protect your account and keep it secure. It is also used for fraud detection and prevention.
Analytics Information
We use data analytics to ensure site functionality and optimize our Product and Service offerings. We may collect information regarding how often you visit the Platform, your interactions with it, performance data, errors, and the type of activities you engage in. This data helps us understand usage patterns and improve the user experience.
Information from Surveys, Questionnaires, and Feedback Programs
We may collect information through surveys and feedback programs to gain insights into how we can improve our Products and Services. Participation in these programs is voluntary, and we request your consent before using any personal information in this context.
Can I Revoke Permissions Once I Have Posted Information on the Public Platform?
Please note that when using the public Appliance Surge Platform, you cannot revoke permission for Appliance Surge to publish or allow others to have derivative rights to such public content once it is made available. The content you contribute is public, and Appliance Surge loses control over such content once it is published on the internet. If you choose to post personal information, you do so at your own risk, including the potential forfeiture of any privacy rights related to that information.
However, we can assist in removing personal data posted in error or information that a user wishes to have removed. Please reach out to our support team if you need assistance.
HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA
This section explains how we use your personal information and the purposes for which we collect it. We use your personal data only when we have valid legal grounds to do so. These legal grounds are determined based on the specific purposes for which we collect and process your personal data. More information on these purposes is provided below:
Purposes for Collecting and Using Personal Information
We use the personal information collected for the following purposes:
- To verify your identity and allow you to access our Products and Services when you contact us or log into the Platform.
- To protect you from fraud and for fraud detection and prevention purposes.
- For statistical analysis to understand how the Platform is used and to help us improve our content, Products, and Services.
- To operate and improve our Platform and Services, ensuring they function effectively and offer the best user experience.
- To notify you of changes to the Platform or our Services that may affect your experience.
- To provide technical and customer support to assist you with any issues or inquiries you may have.
- To ask for your feedback through surveys or requests for opinions on our Services.
- To enforce our legal rights or to comply with legal requirements, such as data protection laws.
- To provide an enhanced website and product experience based on your usage of the Platform, including adapting communications informed by your subscriptions and usage patterns.
Our Legal Grounds for Using Your Personal Data
We will only use your personal data where the law allows us to. This includes:
- Performance of a contract: We process your personal data when it is necessary to fulfill the terms of a contract we have with you, such as when you purchase a product or use our services.
- Consent: We may process your data where you have given us consent, such as when you provide feedback through a survey. You can withdraw your consent at any time, and where relevant, this can be done through the same method used to give consent (e.g., via an unsubscribe link).
- Legal or regulatory obligation: We may use your personal data when required to comply with legal or regulatory requirements.
- Legitimate interests: We may process your personal data when it is necessary for our legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and where your rights and interests do not override those interests. For example, this could involve analyzing Platform usage to improve our content and services.
When we rely on legitimate interests for processing your data, we ensure that our interests are balanced against your rights and interests. We do not use your personal data based on legitimate interest in situations where your rights would override our interests.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA
Cookies and Similar Technologies
When you visit the Appliance Surge Platform, we may collect personal data from you automatically using cookies or similar technologies. A cookie is a small file that can be placed on your device that allows us to recognize and remember you. We may place cookies on your device (with your consent, where applicable) to provide you with an optimized experience, improve our services, and enhance security. For more information on how we use cookies and manage third-party cookies, please refer to our cookie policy.
Tracking
Emails from Appliance Surge may use Javascript or similar tracking technologies to track whether emails are opened, links are clicked, or attachments are accessed. This may involve the use of an invisible one-pixel image, which sends a message to our server when the email is opened or forwarded, logging that interaction. Similar processes may be used for links and attachments, helping us understand how our emails are being used and ensuring the functionality of our email communications.
How We Use Your Data
We use your personal data for the following purposes:
- To verify your identity and allow you to access the Products and Services when you log into the Platform or contact us.
- For fraud detection and prevention, ensuring the security of your account and personal information.
- For statistical analysis, such as understanding how the Platform is used and how we can improve our Services.
- To improve the functionality and performance of our Platform and Services.
- To notify you of changes to the Platform, our Products, or Services that may affect you.
- To provide you with technical and customer support, ensuring your experience with the Platform is smooth.
- To enforce our legal rights or to comply with legal obligations.
Information We Use to Identify and Authenticate You
We collect personal information to recognize and authenticate your account when you access it. This helps us keep your account secure and enables us to detect and prevent fraudulent activity.
Analytics Information
We use data analytics to ensure the functionality and optimization of our Platform and Services. This helps us understand how often the Platform is used, the types of activities users engage in, and how to improve performance. For example, we collect information such as performance data, usage patterns, and error reports to provide the best possible experience for our users.
Data Security and Protection
We take your privacy and data security seriously. Appliance Surge employs various safeguards and measures to protect your personal data, ensuring that your information is handled securely. Our data protection practices comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and we make continuous efforts to enhance security protocols.
WHO DO WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL DATA WITH?
We share your personal data with third parties only when necessary to provide our services and maintain the Appliance Surge Platform. Specifically, we share personal data with:
Google Services
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to track and understand how users interact with our Platform. This helps us improve our services and enhance user experience. Google Analytics may collect data such as your IP address, browser type, and browsing behavior.
- Google OAuth: We offer Google OAuth as a single sign-on (SSO) option, allowing users to log in to the Appliance Surge Platform using their Google account credentials. When you choose to use Google OAuth, basic information (such as your name and email address) is shared between Google and Appliance Surge for authentication purposes.
Service Providers
We use third-party service providers to support our Platform and ensure smooth service delivery. These providers assist us with tasks such as maintaining the Platform, providing customer support, and hosting our infrastructure (e.g., cloud service providers). They are only permitted to use your personal data to provide services to us and must do so in compliance with this privacy policy.
Legal Authorities
We may disclose your personal information to legal authorities where required by law, such as in response to lawful requests like subpoenas, court orders, or other legal demands. This also applies in situations where disclosure is necessary to defend our legal interests or comply with regulatory obligations.
Business Transactions
In the event that we sell, transfer, or merge parts of our business or assets, your personal data may be shared with third parties involved in such transactions. If a change happens to our business, the new owners may use your personal data in the same way as outlined in this privacy policy.
Compliance and Data Protection
We require all third-party service providers to respect the security of your personal data and treat it in accordance with the law. Third parties are only permitted to process your personal data for specified purposes and are contractually obligated to ensure its protection. We do not allow these third-party providers to use your personal data for their own purposes.
HOW LONG DO WE RETAIN YOUR PERSONAL DATA?
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy notice and to comply with legal obligations. We do not retain more data than we need. While you remain a user of the Appliance Surge Platform, we will retain your data to continue providing services to you.
In some cases, we are required by law to retain basic information for a longer period, such as for tax or other legal purposes. If you wish, you may request that we delete your data under certain circumstances.
Your Choices = How to Access and Control Your Personal Data
You have the ability to make choices about how Appliance Surge collects and uses your personal data through the following options:
- Account Settings: You can change or correct your account settings at any time. For example, you can create a pseudonymous account or remove optional information, such as your profile picture or job history, that you no longer want to be publicly displayed.
- Data Protection Rights: You can exercise your rights to access or control your personal data that Appliance Surge has collected. In some cases, your ability to control your data may be limited by applicable law. If certain controls are not available through your account settings, you can contact us to request access or control over your personal data.
INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
To provide services to you, it may be necessary for us to transfer or share your personal data outside of the UK/EEA in the following circumstances:
- With our offices or companies within our group located outside the UK/EEA;
- With service providers we use (e.g., cloud service providers) located outside the UK/EEA;
- If you are based outside the UK/EEA;
- When there is a European and/or international aspect to the services we are delivering to you.
If applicable, we will only transfer or share your personal data outside the UK/EEA:
- To countries, territories, or organizations that have been assessed as providing an adequate level of protection for personal data (through an ‘adequacy decision’ by the UK or the EU Commission);
- By using legally-approved UK or EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or Model Clauses, with appropriate supplementary measures to ensure the protection of your personal data.
If you are located in the UK or EU, you may contact us at support@appliancesurge.com to request a copy of the Standard Contractual Clauses.
By accessing the Appliance Surge Platform and using our Products and Services, you acknowledge that your personal data may be collected and transferred from your local jurisdiction (including those in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK) to the United States or other jurisdictions.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Data Security
Security is a priority for us, and we know it is important to you. Appliance Surge follows generally accepted standards to protect your personal information when processing, transferring, and storing it, including the use of Transport Layer Security (TLS).
We have implemented appropriate security measures to prevent personal data from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed unlawfully. Access to your personal data is limited to those with a legitimate business need, and we have procedures in place to handle any suspected data security breaches. We will notify you and the appropriate regulatory authorities of any suspected data breach when required by law.
We also encourage you to protect your personal information by choosing strong passwords in line with industry best practices. Do not share your password with others, ensure you access Appliance Surge over a secure network, and log out of your account after use to prevent unauthorized access.
How We May Contact You
From time to time, we may send you service-related emails, such as instructions on how to use certain features of products you have purchased or reminders related to your services (if applicable).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), we are required to notify California consumers about our collection, use, and disclosure of their personal information (whether collected through this website or offline).
Appliance Surge does not sell (as defined under the CCPA) the personal information we collect, and we will not sell it without providing you the right to opt out. Please note that we use third-party cookies, as described in our cookie policy.
Categories of Personal Information Collected in the Last 12 Months
- Identifiers, such as your Appliance Surge username, email address, IP address, and cookie information.
- Internet or other electronic network activity, such as data related to your activity on our Platform.
- Audio and visual information, such as content you submit to Appliance Surge.
- Professional or employment-related information, only if explicitly provided by you, such as when applying for a job or completing a profile.
You can find more information about the data we collect, the purposes for which we collect it, and the third parties with whom we share that information in the sections of our privacy statement above.
California Consumer Rights
California consumers have specific rights under the CCPA (subject to certain limitations), including:
- The right to request access to the personal information we collect about you;
- The right to request the deletion of your personal information;
- The right to receive information about our data practices;
- The right to not be discriminated against for exercising these privacy rights.
You can exercise these rights by contacting us at support@appliancesurge.com. We will verify your request using the information associated with your account, such as your email address, and we may require government identification for verification. You may also designate an authorized agent to exercise these rights on your behalf.
Children
The Appliance Surge Platform is not intended for children, and we do not knowingly offer our Products or Services to anyone under the age of 16.
Privacy Policy Amendments
We may amend or update this privacy policy from time to time. You will be notified of any material changes to the policy. Previous versions of this privacy policy are available upon request.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at support@appliancesurge.com.
or submit a form here: Contact Page