Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 24, 2026

Effective Date: July 24, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how The Transparency Company and its affiliates (“Transparency,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collect, use, and share information in connection with the Transparency Certificate Directory website at transparencycertified.com and related features (collectively, the “Service”). This Policy applies to Consumers who browse or search the Directory and to Businesses that apply for certification or maintain a listing. It does not apply to third-party websites, including the review platforms whose publicly available reviews we analyze. Please review those platforms’ own privacy policies.

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide To Us May Include, But Is Not Limited To:

Contact and account information: name, email address, phone number, and password, if you create an account, sign up for updates, or contact us.
Business application information: if you apply for a Transparency Certificate™ or claim/manage a listing, we collect business name, address, category, website, owner/representative name and contact details (phone number, email address), identity verification information, and any documents or information you submit to support the application. You are not always required to provide us with such information, but certain features of the Service may not be accessible or available absent the provision of the requested information.
Payment information: if and when the Service involves paid certification, listing, or subscription Fees, billing name, billing address, and payment details, we utilize a third-party payment provider to process payment information – we do not store full payment card numbers on our own servers.
Communications: information you provide when you contact support, respond to a survey, or otherwise communicate with us.

1.2 Information We May Collect Automatically

Usage data: pages and listings you view, searches you perform, links you click, and how you interact with the Service.
Device and log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps.
Cookies and similar technologies: we and our service providers use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to operate the Service, remember preferences, and understand how the Service is used. You can control cookies through your browser settings; see Section 4 for more on your choices. We do not currently alter our data collection practices in response to a browser “Do Not Track” signal.

1.3 Publicly Available Review Information We Analyze

The core of the Transparency Certificate™ is an analysis of customer reviews about a Business that are already publicly posted on third-party online review platforms. As of the date of this Policy, our analysis is based on reviews from a single leading third-party review platform, and we expect to expand our analysis to additional third-party platforms over time. This publicly posted review content, and any reviewer names or profile information that accompanies it on the third-party platform, is collected from publicly available sources – not submitted to us directly by reviewers – and is used solely to produce and support a Business’s certification determination and Directory listing. We do not use this information to build consumer profiles for advertising, and we do not currently collect new reviews or feedback directly through the Service (see Section 2 of our Terms of Service).

1.4 Information from Other Sources

We may supplement the information above with information from public sources (such as public business registries) and, where applicable, information from service providers who help us verify business information or process payments.

1.5 Information from Vendors or Third Parties

From time to time, we may collect information about you through vendors, partners, or other sources, including public information sources. For example:

Identity and business verification. To the extent permitted by law, we may, in our sole discretion, ask for and collect supplemental information about you or a Business from third parties – such as information to verify a business’s information, identity, or trustworthiness, or for other fraud, safety, or eligibility purposes. We may combine information we collect from you through the Service with information obtained from these sources, including public information sources, to update, expand, or verify the information used for certification and Directory listings. These sources have their own policies for handling your information.
Reporting and analytics. We may use vendors for reporting and analytics to measure the effectiveness of our Service and our communications, and to identify areas for improvement.
Payment and service providers. Where applicable, we receive limited information from payment processors and other service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as confirmation of a payment or the results of a verification check.

Please note that these third parties and information sources have their own privacy policies governing how they use and disclose your information.

2. How We Use Information

We may use the information described above for any of the following purposes:

operate, maintain, and improve the Service, including performing and updating certification analyses and Directory listings;
for the purposes for which you provided it;
enable you to use the features available through the Service, including registering you for an account and, where applicable, verifying your identity or a Business’s information and authority to use the Service;
create and manage accounts and process business applications and Fees, including tracking fees and processing billing and payment through third-party payment processors;
provide customer support and respond to your inquiries and requests;
maintain internal records;
administer surveys, promotions, or contests;
communicate with you, including responding to inquiries and sending administrative or, with appropriate consent or as permitted by law, marketing communications about new features, offers, or other information that may interest you;
as permitted under applicable law, contact you by automated or non-automated email, text message, or telephone regarding features, improvements, or other information you have requested;
monitor and analyze usage trends and conduct market research to improve and customize the Service;
detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security incidents, and technical issues, and investigate complaints or suspected wrongdoing;
for other research and analytical purposes;
resolve disputes and protect ourselves, our users, or third parties, including to protect property or safety; and
comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service and any other legal terms that govern your use of the Service.

We may aggregate and/or de-identify information we collect. We may use de-identified or aggregated information for any purpose and may disclose it to third parties, as permitted by law.

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information as follows:

Service providers: with vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, payment processing, customer support, identity/business verification, and email delivery, under confidentiality and data-protection obligations.
Business listings: if you are a Business User, certain information you submit (such as business name, address, category, and certification status) is displayed publicly on the Directory as part of your listing.
Legal and safety reasons: to comply with applicable law, respond to legal process (such as a subpoena or court order), or protect the rights, property, or safety of Transparency, our users, or the public.
Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of some or all of our assets, in which case information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
With your consent: for any other purpose disclosed to you at the time of collection or with your consent.

As described under the CCPA (Section 5 below), sharing information with advertising or analytics partners in exchange for something of value can, under a broad statutory definition, be considered a “sale” or “share” of personal information even though no money changes hands. We do not share information with advertising or analytics partners except as outlined above.

4. Cookies and Advertising Choices

You can manage cookies through your browser settings, including blocking or deleting cookies; note that some features of the Service may not function properly without cookies. To learn more about cookies generally, visit www.allaboutcookies.org. If we use interest-based advertising, you may also be able to opt out through the Digital Advertising Alliance at optout.aboutads.info or the Network Advertising Initiative at www.networkadvertising.org.

5. Your Privacy Rights

5.1 California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to request: (a) the categories and specific pieces of personal information we’ve collected about you; (b) the categories of sources of that information; (c) the business purposes for collecting, selling, or sharing it; (d) the categories of third parties with whom we’ve shared it; (e) deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions; and (f) correction of inaccurate personal information. You also have the right to opt out of any “sale” or “sharing” of your personal information and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights. To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information in Section 11. We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

If we knowingly collect personal information from a consumer we know to be under 16, we will not sell or share that information without affirmative authorization (from the consumer, if 13–15, or a parent/guardian, if under 13).

5.2 Other U.S. State Privacy Rights

Residents of certain other states with comprehensive privacy laws (for example, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and Utah) may have similar rights to access, correct, delete, or port their personal information, and to opt out of certain processing. Contact us using the information in Section 11 to make a request, and we will respond consistent with applicable law.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as needed to provide the Service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements, and we will delete or de-identify it when it is no longer needed for these purposes, or sooner upon a valid deletion request.

7. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children’s Privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13, consistent with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If we learn we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will delete it as soon as reasonably possible. Contact us using the information in Section 11 with the subject line “COPPA” if you believe we may have information from or about a child under 13.

9. Third-Party Links and Platforms

The Service may link to, reference, or display information sourced from third-party websites, including the review platform(s) whose publicly available reviews we analyze. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party website or platform. This Policy applies only to information we collect through the Service, and we encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. If we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date and, where required by law, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, or would like to exercise any of the rights described above, please contact us:

Insight Integrity Group, LLC dba The Transparency Company
1444 N Main St, Suite 100
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Email: dataprivacy@transparencycertified.com