Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

When you use Memory Candle, we may collect the following information:

• Account Information: Email address, password (encrypted), and account preferences

• Candle Information: Names of loved ones you memorialize, candle dedication messages, lighting dates, and burn duration preferences

• Payment Information: When purchasing real candles, payment information is collected and processed by Stripe, Inc. We do not store your credit card details

• Communication Data: Emails and messages you send to our support team

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, browser type, device information, and IP address

• Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website

• Cookies: Small data files stored on your device to enhance your experience (see Section 5)

1.3 Third-Party Authentication

If you sign in using Google OAuth, we receive basic profile information (name, email address) from Google in accordance with their privacy policy and your Google account settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Provide Services: Display digital candles, coordinate physical candle lighting, and deliver photo/video documentation

• Account Management: Create and maintain your user account, authenticate your identity, and manage your preferences

• Payment Processing: Process payments for real candles through our payment processor, Stripe

• Communication: Send account-related emails (confirmations, password resets, service updates)

• Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns to improve website functionality and user experience

• Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents

• Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use

3. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes.

We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We use trusted third-party services to operate Memory Candle:

  • Stripe: Payment processing (subject to Stripe's privacy policy)

  • SendGrid: Email delivery service

  • Google Analytics: Website analytics and usage tracking

  • Google OAuth: Third-party authentication (optional)

• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation

• Safety and Protection: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Auri's Ideas, LLC, our users, or others

• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity

All third-party service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4. Data Storage and Security

Data Storage: Your information is stored securely on servers located in the United States. We use industry-standard encryption and security measures to protect your data.

Security Measures: We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures, including:

• Encrypted passwords using ASP.NET Core Identity

• HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data transmission

• Regular security updates and monitoring

• Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for authentication, security, and core website functionality

• Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics cookies to understand website usage and improve our services

• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences (e.g., dark mode)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality. To opt out of Google Analytics, visit: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy:

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after account closure for legal and operational purposes

• Candle Information: Retained as long as needed to display active candles and maintain historical records

• Payment Records: Retained in accordance with tax and accounting requirements (typically 7 years)

• Photo/Video Documentation: Available in your account for 30 days after candle lighting, then may be deleted

After retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize your personal information.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you

• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)

• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format

• Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications (note: we do not currently send marketing emails)

• Object to Processing: Object to certain types of data processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at support@memorycandle.site. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

8. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: You have the right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell

• Right to Delete: You have the right to request deletion of your personal information

• Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt out of the "sale" of your personal information. Note: We do not sell your personal information.

• Right to Non-Discrimination: You have the right not to be discriminated against for exercising your CCPA rights

Categories of Information We Collect:

• Identifiers (email, name)

• Commercial information (payment transactions)

• Internet activity (website usage, analytics)

• User-generated content (candle dedications)

To exercise your CCPA rights, email us at support@memorycandle.site with "CCPA Request" in the subject line. We may ask for verification of your identity before processing your request.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Users between 13 and 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent to use the Service. If we discover we have collected information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will delete that information immediately. If you believe we may have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us at support@memorycandle.site.

10. International Users

Memory Candle is operated from the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer and processing. Please note that U.S. data protection laws may differ from those in your country.

11. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. At this time, our website does not respond to DNT signals because there is no industry-wide standard for how to interpret and respond to such signals.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will post the updated Privacy Policy on this page with a new effective date. Material changes will be communicated via email to registered users. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Auri's Ideas, LLC

Fishers, Indiana, USA

Email: support@memorycandle.site

For privacy-related requests, please include "Privacy Request" in the subject line.