Privacy Policy

Information you provide directly:

• Business email address
• Google place you select, plus optional website
• 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.

We use the information we collect to:

• Run a Google Places scan and compute an ARA Score
• Email scan results, award assets, and optional re-scan reminders
• Publish claimed awards (business name, title, ARA Score, scan date)
• 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.

When you request a scan we may email results and, if you claim an award, your certificate and badge. If you ask for a 60-day reminder we will send one email. You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time by contacting us at contact@arawards.org.

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

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. Raw Google Place payloads and cached Google rating/review-count fields are deleted after 30 days. Derived ARA Score and qualification flags are kept.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

American Recognition Awards
99 Wall Street #798, New York, NY 10005
contact@arawards.org