Legal

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 20, 2026

American Recognition Awards (“ARA,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website arawards.org or submit an application. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Site.

1. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly:

  • Name, email address, phone number
  • Business name, title, and website
  • Description of your work and achievements submitted via the application form
  • Any other information you voluntarily submit to us

Information collected automatically:

  • IP address and browser type
  • Pages visited and time spent on the Site
  • Referring URL and device information

We may use standard analytics tools to collect this information. We do not use tracking cookies for advertising purposes.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Process and evaluate award applications
  • Communicate with you about your application and its status
  • Publish award announcements on the Site (for recipients)
  • Send administrative emails and updates related to the program
  • Improve the Site and our services
  • Comply with legal obligations

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

3. Email Communications

When you submit an application, you will receive a confirmation email. We may also contact you regarding the status of your application or to notify you of your selection as an award recipient. You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time by contacting us at contact@arawards.org.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We may disclose your information:

  • To service providers who assist us in operating the Site and delivering the program (e.g., email delivery, hosting), subject to confidentiality obligations
  • As required by law, such as in response to a subpoena, court order, or government request
  • To protect rights and safety — if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of ARA, our users, or the public
  • In connection with a business transfer — in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Application data may be retained for program record-keeping purposes.

6. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Third-Party Services

Our Site may use third-party services for hosting, email delivery, and analytics. These providers have their own privacy policies governing the use of your information. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites linked from our Site.

8. Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at contact@arawards.org. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

American Recognition Awards
3980 Tampa Road, Suite 205
Oldsmar, FL 34677
contact@arawards.org

See also our Terms of Use.