Introduction
MapOfOntario.com ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at mapofontario.com (the "Site"). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Site.
We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and for any reason. We will alert you about any changes by updating the "Last Updated" date of this Privacy Policy. You are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed of updates. You will be deemed to have been made aware of, will be subject to, and will be deemed to have accepted the changes in any revised Privacy Policy by your continued use of the Site after the date such revised Privacy Policy is posted.
Information We Collect
We collect information about you in several ways when you use our Site. The information we collect falls into two categories: information you provide directly and information collected automatically.
Information You Provide Directly
Email Communications: When you contact us via email at info@mapofontario.com, we collect your email address and any information you choose to include in your message. This information is used solely to respond to your inquiry and provide the support or information you requested.
We do not collect personal information through registration forms, user accounts, or contact forms on the Site itself, as we do not maintain such features. Our interaction with users is limited to direct email correspondence when you choose to contact us.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our Site, certain information about your device and your visit is collected automatically. This information is used to understand how visitors use our Site, improve functionality, and optimize the user experience.
Log Data: Like most websites, our servers automatically record information when you access the Site. This log data may include your Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type, browser version, the pages of our Site that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, and other statistics. This information is used for troubleshooting, security purposes, and understanding traffic patterns.
Device Information: We may collect information about the device you use to access our Site, including device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information. This helps us optimize the Site for different devices and browsers.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
MapOfOntario.com uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and gather information about how the Site is used.
What Are Cookies: Cookies are small data files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. Cookies enable the website to remember your actions and preferences over time, making your subsequent visits more efficient and personalized.
Types of Cookies We Use:
- Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the basic functionality of the Site, such as remembering your preferences and enabling core features like interactive maps.
- Analytics Cookies: We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with our Site. These cookies collect information about which pages are visited most frequently, how users navigate the Site, and where users encounter errors. This data is aggregated and anonymous.
- Performance Cookies: These cookies help us improve website performance by collecting information about how the Site loads and performs on different devices and browsers.
Managing Cookies: Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can usually modify your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. However, declining cookies may prevent you from taking full advantage of the Site's features, particularly interactive maps and certain navigation tools. To learn more about cookies and how to manage them, visit your browser's help section or visit www.allaboutcookies.org.
Analytics and Usage Tracking
We use web analytics services to better understand how users interact with MapOfOntario.com. These services may use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect and analyze information about your use of the Site.
Data Collected: Analytics services may collect information including but not limited to: pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, browser type, device type, geographic location (city or region level, not precise location), referring websites, and user journey through the Site.
Purpose: We use analytics data to improve the Site's content, navigation, and functionality. Understanding which maps are most popular, which pages users visit most frequently, and how users navigate the Site helps us prioritize improvements and develop new features that serve our users better.
Third-Party Analytics: We may use third-party analytics providers who collect and analyze data on our behalf. These third parties have their own privacy policies governing their collection and use of information. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any third-party services.
Interactive Map Usage Tracking
Our Site features interactive maps powered by third-party mapping services (such as Leaflet and OpenStreetMap). When you use these interactive features, certain information may be collected by these services.
Map Interactions: When you interact with maps on our Site—such as zooming, panning, or clicking on locations—these interactions may be logged to improve map performance and user experience. This data helps us understand which map features are most useful and identify areas for improvement.
Third-Party Map Services: Interactive maps may load resources from third-party servers. These third parties may collect information according to their own privacy policies. We use mapping services that prioritize user privacy, but we encourage you to review the privacy policies of OpenStreetMap and other mapping providers we utilize.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
To Operate and Maintain the Site: We use collected information to ensure the Site functions properly, loads efficiently, and displays correctly across different devices and browsers.
To Improve User Experience: Analytics data helps us understand user behavior, identify popular content, and make informed decisions about site improvements and new features.
To Respond to Inquiries: When you email us, we use your email address and message content to respond to your questions, provide support, or address your feedback.
To Monitor and Analyze Trends: We analyze usage patterns to understand how users find and navigate the Site, which helps us optimize content and improve accessibility.
To Ensure Security: We monitor Site activity to detect and prevent security threats, abuse, or unauthorized access.
To Comply with Legal Obligations: We may use and retain information as necessary to comply with legal requirements, respond to lawful requests from authorities, or protect our rights and interests.
Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:
Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, and technical support. These providers are contractually obligated to use information only as necessary to provide services to us and to protect the information appropriately.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (such as a court or government agency), including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.
Protection of Rights: We may disclose information when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.
Business Transfers: If MapOfOntario.com is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our Site of any change in ownership or uses of your information.
Data Retention
We retain information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When information is no longer needed, we will delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention procedures.
Email correspondence is typically retained for a period necessary to respond to inquiries and provide continuity in communication. Analytics data is retained in aggregated, anonymized form for analysis and site improvement purposes.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect the information we collect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include secure server configurations, encrypted connections (HTTPS), and access controls.
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. You use the Site and provide information at your own risk.
Third-Party Websites and Services
The Site may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy applies only to MapOfOntario.com. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Third-party services we use, such as mapping providers and content delivery networks, may collect information according to their own privacy policies. We select third-party providers that demonstrate commitment to privacy, but we cannot control their data practices.
Children's Privacy
MapOfOntario.com does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. The Site is designed as an educational resource that can be used by students of all ages, but we do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@mapofontario.com, and we will take steps to delete such information from our systems.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:
Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.
Correction: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
Deletion: You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
Opt-Out: You can opt out of certain data collection by adjusting your browser settings to refuse cookies or by using browser features that limit tracking.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@mapofontario.com. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
International Users
MapOfOntario.com is operated from Canada. If you are visiting the Site from outside Canada, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Canada or other countries where our service providers operate. By using the Site, you consent to the transfer of information to countries outside of your country of residence, which may have different data protection rules than your country.
Do Not Track Signals
Some web browsers incorporate a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. How browsers communicate the DNT signal is not yet uniform, and there is no standard for how websites should respond to these signals. Currently, our Site does not respond to DNT browser signals or mechanisms.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your information.
If we make material changes to this Privacy Policy that significantly affect your privacy rights, we will provide additional notice, such as by posting a prominent announcement on the Site or sending you an email if we have your email address on file.
Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or comments about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Email: info@mapofontario.com
We will make every effort to resolve any concerns you may have regarding your privacy and our use of your information.