Privacy Policy

Ontario Directory respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect personal information when you access or use our website, directory, business listing services, account features, review tools, contact forms, communications, and related services.

This Privacy Policy applies to Ontario Directory and all related services we provide through our website.

By using Ontario Directory, creating an account, submitting or claiming a business listing, posting a review, contacting us, subscribing to communications, or otherwise providing information to us, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use Ontario Directory.

1. Who We Are

Ontario Directory is a business directory and local discovery platform that helps users find, compare, shortlist, and learn about businesses and services in Ontario.

In this Privacy Policy:

• "Ontario Directory," "we," "us," or "our" means Ontario Directory and its owners, operators, representatives, contractors, and service providers.
• "Platform" means our website, directory, listings, account features, review features, contact forms, newsletters, and related services.
• "User," "you," or "your" means anyone who accesses or uses the Platform.
• "Business User" means a business owner, employee, representative, agent, or authorized person who submits, claims, edits, or manages a business listing.
• "Personal information" means information about an identifiable individual, as defined under applicable Canadian privacy laws.

2. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information we collect when you:

• visit or browse Ontario Directory;
• create an account;
• submit, claim, edit, or manage a business listing;
• post or interact with reviews, ratings, or other user content;
• contact us or request support;
• subscribe to newsletters or marketing communications;
• use search, comparison, shortlist, or directory features;
• interact with our emails, forms, pages, or advertisements;
• purchase or use paid, featured, sponsored, or premium services, if offered.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites, businesses, services, links, booking platforms, payment providers, social media pages, or external tools that are not operated by us.

3. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on how you use Ontario Directory.

4. How We Use Information

We may use personal information and other information for the following purposes:

5. Consent

We collect, use, and disclose personal information with your consent, except where otherwise permitted or required by law.

Your consent may be express or implied, depending on the circumstances and the sensitivity of the information.

You may provide consent when you:

• create an account;
• submit a form;
• claim or manage a listing;
• post a review;
• subscribe to communications;
• contact us;
• use the Platform;
• provide information to us directly.

You may withdraw consent where permitted by law. If you withdraw consent, we may no longer be able to provide certain services, account features, listing tools, communications, or support.

To withdraw consent, contact us using the details in the Contact Us section.

Under PIPEDA, consent is meaningful when individuals receive clear information about what an organization is doing with their personal information.

6. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share information in the following circumstances.

7. Cross-Border Processing

Some of our service providers may store, process, or access information outside Ontario or outside Canada, including in the United States or other jurisdictions.

When information is processed outside Canada, it may be subject to the laws of that jurisdiction, including lawful access by courts, law enforcement, regulators, or government authorities.

By using Ontario Directory, you understand that your information may be processed or stored outside your province, territory, or country of residence.

8. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Ontario Directory may use cookies, pixels, local storage, log files, and similar technologies to operate and improve the Platform.

9. Analytics

We may use analytics tools to understand how users interact with Ontario Directory.

Analytics tools may collect information such as:

• pages visited;
• time spent on pages;
• search activity;
• clicks;
• device and browser information;
• approximate location;
• referral sources;
• interactions with forms or features.

We use analytics to improve the Platform, troubleshoot issues, understand user needs, and measure performance.

Where possible, we use analytics settings that limit unnecessary collection of personal information.

10. Marketing Communications

We may send marketing communications if you consent or if we are otherwise permitted by law to do so.

Marketing communications may include:

• newsletters;
• platform updates;
• business listing tips;
• promotional offers;
• paid listing information;
• featured listing opportunities;
• product announcements.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the unsubscribe link in the email or by contacting us.

Even if you unsubscribe from marketing emails, we may still send transactional or service-related messages, such as account notices, security alerts, billing messages, listing verification emails, legal notices, or support replies.

CASL requires commercial electronic messages to include consent, identification information, and an unsubscribe mechanism.

11. Retention of Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, or as required or permitted by law.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the reason it was collected.

For example:

• account information may be retained while your account is active;
• business listing information may be retained while the listing is active or needed for directory integrity;
• review information may remain visible unless removed under our policies;
• support messages may be retained for a reasonable period to manage disputes and service history;
• billing and transaction records may be retained for tax, accounting, audit, and legal purposes;
• security logs may be retained to protect the Platform;
• deleted information may remain in backups for a limited period before being overwritten.

We may also retain information where needed to prevent fraud, enforce our Terms, resolve disputes, comply with legal obligations, or protect our rights.

12. Security

We use reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, loss, or destruction.

These safeguards may include:

• access controls;
• authentication measures;
• encryption where appropriate;
• secure hosting practices;
• monitoring and logging;
• backup procedures;
• staff or contractor access restrictions;
• security reviews and updates.

No website, system, or internet transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential and for notifying us if you believe your account has been compromised.

13. Privacy Breaches

If we become aware of a privacy breach involving personal information, we will assess the situation and take appropriate steps based on the nature and seriousness of the incident.

Where required by applicable Canadian privacy law, we will notify affected individuals, report to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, and keep required records.

Under PIPEDA, organizations must report breaches of security safeguards that create a real risk of significant harm.

14. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

Subject to applicable law, you may request to:

• access personal information we hold about you;
• correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information;
• update your account information;
• update, correct, claim, or request removal of a business listing;
• withdraw consent where applicable;
• delete your account, subject to legal and operational limits;
• unsubscribe from marketing communications;
• ask how your information has been used or disclosed;
• make a privacy complaint.

We may need to verify your identity or authority before responding to a request.

Some information may not be deleted immediately or completely if we need to retain it for legal, security, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, backup, accounting, or operational reasons.

To make a request, contact us using the details in the Contact Us section.

15. Business Listing Correction, Claim, and Removal Requests

Because Ontario Directory is a business directory, we may display business information that is public, submitted by users, submitted by businesses, or obtained from lawful public sources.

If you are a business owner or authorized representative, you may request to:

• correct inaccurate listing information;
• claim a listing;
• update business details;
• add or remove photos;
• change categories;
• request removal of certain information;
• report duplicate listings;
• report unauthorized changes;
• dispute a listing.

We may require verification before making changes. Verification may include confirming access to a business email address, website domain, phone number, public business record, government registration, or other reasonable proof of authority.

We may refuse or limit requests where we cannot verify authority, where removal would affect directory integrity, where information is lawfully available, where retention is required by law, or where we need to prevent fraud, abuse, or misleading activity.

16. Reviews and Public Contributions

Reviews, ratings, business responses, and other public contributions may be visible to other users.

When you submit public content, you should avoid including:

• private personal information;
• sensitive information;
• confidential information;
• information about children;
• medical, financial, or legal details;
• private addresses or contact details;
• content you do not have permission to share.

We may remove, hide, restrict, or moderate reviews and public content according to our Terms and Conditions, any future Review Policy, or applicable law.

Deleting your account may not automatically remove reviews or public content that has already been submitted, unless required by law or approved under our policies.

17. Children and Minors

Ontario Directory is intended for users who are old enough to use business directory services responsibly and lawfully.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you believe a child has provided personal information to us without appropriate consent, contact us and we will take reasonable steps to review and address the issue.

Certain account, listing, review, or business management features may be restricted to users who are the age of majority in their province or territory of residence, or who have appropriate permission where allowed by law.

18. Third-Party Websites and Businesses

Ontario Directory may link to third-party websites, businesses, social media pages, booking tools, maps, payment processors, review platforms, or other external services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, accuracy, or conduct of third parties.

When you leave Ontario Directory or interact with a third-party business, their own privacy policy and terms may apply.

You should review third-party privacy policies before sharing information with them.

19. Do Not Track and Browser Signals

Some browsers offer "Do Not Track" or similar privacy signals.

Because there is not always a common industry standard for responding to these signals, Ontario Directory may not respond to all browser-based tracking signals.

Where legally required or where supported by our tools, we will honour applicable consent preferences or opt-out mechanisms.

20. Automated Tools, Search, and Ranking

Ontario Directory may use automated tools, algorithms, filters, or ranking systems to organize and display listings, search results, categories, recommendations, featured businesses, and city pages.

These tools may consider factors such as:

• search query relevance;
• business category;
• location;
• listing completeness;
• user interactions;
• reviews or ratings;
• verification status;
• popularity;
• sponsorship or paid placement, where applicable;
• editorial or quality signals.

These systems are designed to improve discovery and usability. They should not be interpreted as a guarantee, endorsement, professional recommendation, or verification of a business.

21. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

If we make material changes, we may provide additional notice where appropriate, such as through the Platform, by email, or through an account notice.

Your continued use of Ontario Directory after an updated Privacy Policy is posted means you accept the updated policy.

22. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to make a privacy request, need to correct information, or want to submit a privacy complaint, contact Ontario Directory through our Contact Support page and address your request to the Privacy Officer.

Please include enough detail for us to understand and respond to your request.

We may need to verify your identity or authority before taking action.

23. Complaints

If you have a privacy concern, we encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve it.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may have the right to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or another applicable privacy regulator.