Connecting U – Privacy Policy
Last Updated: May 10, 2025
Effective Date: May 10, 2025
Introduction
Connecting U (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the online community and event platform at connectingu.ca. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data responsibly.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your information when you use our platform as a Guest, Member, or Event Host. It is incorporated by reference into our Terms of Service.
By using the Service, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.
Information We Collect
- Personal information such as your name, email address, and contact details
- Account details including your username and password
- Profile content you voluntarily share (e.g., photos, bios, Pages)
- Ticket purchase information (processed securely via Stripe)
- Community activity such as group posts, private messages, and event interactions
- Technical data including your IP address, browser, and device usage
- Cookie and analytics data to improve site performance
How We Use Your Information
- Register and manage your account
- Support event listings, ticketing, and communication
- Power community features like groups, profiles, and messaging
- Provide customer support and send platform updates
- Improve platform functionality and user experience
- Enforce platform rules and meet legal requirements
Some features of Connecting U may use automated tools (including AI-assisted moderation) to help detect content that violates our platform rules. These tools are used to support community safety and do not make final decisions on their own.
Legal Basis for Processing
- Your consent (e.g., account creation)
- Our need to deliver services and features
- Legal obligations (e.g., fraud prevention or tax compliance)
Your Profile and Privacy Settings
In the Community Hub, your profile and posts include visibility settings:
- Public – Anyone visiting the site may see this content
- Site Members – All registered Community Members may see this content
- Friends Only – Only your approved Friends may see this content
- Only Me – Only you can see this content
Platform administrators may access user content when needed to ensure safety and compliance. You are responsible for what you choose to share publicly.
Private Messaging and Community Content
Private messages and group posts are stored securely and are visible only to intended recipients. We do not monitor private messages by default, but we may review them if a report is submitted for moderation or safety concerns.
Sharing of Your Information
We do not sell or rent your personal data. We may share limited information:
- With service providers (e.g., Stripe, hosting, customer support tools)
- As required by law, legal requests, or to prevent harm
- To resolve complaints or enforce our Terms of Service
We require third-party partners to meet appropriate confidentiality and data protection standards.
Payment Information
All payment transactions are processed by Stripe. Connecting U does not store your full credit card or banking information.
Please review Stripe’s Privacy Policy for details on how your payment data is managed.
Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep you logged in
- Personalize your experience
- Analyze traffic and usage trends
You may disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may limit site functionality. We use Google Analytics for general visitor behavior insights. You can opt out at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Although some browsers offer “Do Not Track” signals, we do not currently respond to them. Users may control tracking through device or browser settings.
Your Rights: Access, Updates, and Deletion
You have the right to:
- Access a copy of your personal data
- Edit, update, or delete your account and profile information
- Withdraw consent for non-essential data uses
You can manage most of these actions through your account settings or by contacting us at events@connectingu.ca. We typically respond within two business days.
Please note:
- Some data (e.g., ticket history or customer service emails) may be retained for legal or operational purposes
- Deleted content may temporarily remain in backups or caches until fully purged
- Content contributed to public areas (e.g., event listings or group posts) may remain visible unless specifically requested for removal
You may request a portable copy of the personal data you have provided to us in a machine-readable format. Please email us to begin the request.
Inactive Accounts
If your account remains inactive for more than 12 months, we may anonymize or delete your data after notifying you by email.
Security Measures
We take reasonable steps to protect your data, including:
- SSL encryption
- Firewalls
- Login security tools
- Internal administrative controls
No digital system is completely secure. We encourage you to use strong, unique passwords and sign out from shared devices. You use the platform at your own risk.
Data Breach Notification
If a data breach affects your personal information, we will notify you by email within 48 hours and report the incident to relevant authorities if required.
Children’s Privacy
Connecting U is not intended for anyone under the age of majority. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If a child is found to have registered, their account and associated data will be deleted.
International Users
Connecting U is based in Canada. Your data is stored and processed in Canada. By using the platform, you consent to this data transfer.
Some third-party tools may process data in other countries, and their policies may differ from Canadian privacy laws.
Third-Party Links and Services
Members and Hosts may post or access external links or tools. We are not responsible for third-party practices. Please review their privacy policies before sharing your data.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We’ll post updates here and may notify you via email or in-platform notices when changes are significant.
Consent
By using Connecting U, you agree to this Privacy Policy and authorize the collection and use of your data as described.
Contact Us
If you have questions or requests related to your privacy:
Email: events@connectingu.ca