Privacy Policy
Last updated:
Your privacy matters to us. This policy explains what personal information Rankships collects when you visit our website or book a consultation, how we use and protect it, and the choices and rights you have.
1. Who we are
This website is operated by Rankships ("Rankships", "we", "us"), based in Austin, TX, United States. We are responsible for (the "controller" of) the personal information described in this policy. You can contact us about privacy at any time at rokon@rankships.com.
2. Information we collect
Information you give us
When you book a consultation, contact us or become a client, we collect:
- Your name, email address and, if you provide it, phone number;
- Your website address and the service or topic you're interested in;
- Your preferred meeting date, time slot, time zone and meeting format;
- Anything you tell us in your message, emails or calls;
- For clients: billing contact details and information needed to deliver our services, such as access to your website, analytics or Google Business Profile.
Information collected automatically
- Server logs: our hosting provider records technical data such as IP address, browser type, pages requested and timestamps to keep the website secure and running.
- Cookies: we use one essential cookie to remember your cookie choice. We only use analytics cookies if you accept them. See our Cookie Policy.
Information from other sources
To prepare for your consultation, we may review publicly available information about your business, such as your website, search rankings and public business listings.
3. How we use your information
We use personal information only for the purposes below. If you are in the UK or EU, the legal basis for each is shown.
| Purpose | Legal basis (UK/EU) |
|---|---|
| Responding to your request and scheduling your consultation | Steps taken at your request before entering a contract; legitimate interests |
| Providing our services, managing projects and invoicing | Performance of a contract |
| Keeping our website and systems secure | Legitimate interests |
| Understanding how visitors use our website (analytics) | Consent, which you can withdraw at any time |
| Complying with legal, tax and accounting obligations | Legal obligation |
We do not use your information for automated decision-making that has legal or similarly significant effects on you. We will only send you marketing emails if you ask us to or have agreed to receive them, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
5. International transfers
We are based in the United States and our service providers may process data in the United States and other countries. When we transfer personal information from the UK or EU, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum or the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, where applicable.
6. How long we keep information
- Consultation requests that don't lead to a project: up to 24 months after our last contact.
- Client records: for the duration of our relationship and up to 7 years afterwards, for legal, tax and accounting purposes.
- Server logs: for a short period set by our hosting provider, typically no more than 30 days.
7. Your privacy rights
UK and EU residents
You have the right to access, correct or delete your personal information, to restrict or object to its processing, to data portability and to withdraw consent at any time. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority, such as the UK Information Commissioner's Office.
US residents
Depending on your state (including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Texas and others), you may have the right to know what personal information we hold about you, to access, correct or delete it, and to opt out of its sale, sharing or use for targeted advertising. We do not sell or share personal information or use it for targeted advertising. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.
How to exercise your rights
Email rokon@rankships.com. We will verify your request, usually by confirming your email address, and respond within the time required by law (generally 30 days in the UK/EU and 45 days in the US). You may use an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf. If we deny your request, you can appeal by replying to our response.
8. Security
We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls and reputable service providers. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to protect your information and will notify you and the relevant authorities of a data breach where the law requires it.
9. Children's privacy
Our website and services are intended for businesses and are not directed to children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has given us information, please contact us and we will delete it.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top shows when it last changed. If we make significant changes, we will highlight them on this page.
11. Contact us
Questions about this policy or your information? Email rokon@rankships.com or use our contact page.