OfficialUSA Privacy Policy

OfficialUSA ("OfficialUSA.com", "us", "we", or "our") operates the website found at https://www.officialusa.com (referred to hereafter as the "Site"). This Privacy Policy outlines the rules regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal and other information from users on our Site as well as through related mobile applications, mobile-optimized websites, and other interactive properties under our management (collectively referred to as the "Applications"). Additionally, this policy applies to the information we collect offline. The aim of this Privacy Policy is to clearly communicate how we handle data to help you make informed decisions about using our Services.

This Privacy Policy is an integral part of our Terms of Use (“Terms”). Each time you use our Applications or Services, you agree to these Terms and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree that the information provided by us is not a consumer report and that it will not be used for any purposes that fall under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.). If you do not consent to abide by these Terms and the Privacy Policy, you must immediately discontinue any use of our Applications and Services.

I. TYPES OF INFORMATION

In the last year, the following information has been collected by us:

Information CategorySources of InformationPurposes for CollectionShared With
Identifying InformationData licensors and indirectly from user actionsService provision and inquiry responseUsers of our services and contracted staff
Categories listed in California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e))Data licensorsService provisionUsers of our services and contracted staff
Protected classifications under lawData licensorsService provisionUsers of our services and contracted staff
Internet or similar network activityIndirect from users, third-parties connected to our ServicesService improvement and application usabilityExternal service providers and contracted staff
Geographic dataIndirect from users, data licensorsService provisionUsers of our services and contracted staff

A. Information Acquired Indirectly

Our third-party service partners and we utilize technologies such as cookies, beacons, tags, and scripts to automatically collect certain types of information when you visit or interact with the Applications. We indirectly collect the following data from you:

B. Information Obtained from Third Parties

We gather data from trusted third-party sources, like data licensors, to complement and refresh our existing information. This data helps us ensure our information is up-to-date and supports internal business analyses and other business-related activities. We collect the following information from third parties:

Google API Usage

We commit to complying with the Google API Services User Data Policy, specifically the Limited Use requirements.

II. ADS

Third parties and advertisers often collect data about your activity on our Applications and other websites or applications through tracking technologies. This tracking helps determine the ads you encounter on our and third-party platforms, and is not tied to your user account. We lack control over these third-party data practices, however, numerous ad networks and marketing analytics providers let you opt out of targeted advertising. You can opt out by visiting https://www.officialusa.com/opt-out/, though you'll still receive non-specific ads. Our practices align with the Digital Advertising Alliance’s principles for behavioral advertising.

Advertising Opt-out: As a user, you can make choices regarding how we use your personal information in connection with your website activities. If you wish to opt-out of digital advertising data collection, you can do so by visiting http://www.aboutads.info/choices/. Keep in mind that opting out of advertising data is a separate process from managing your personal information, and both require individual action on your part.

III. OUR USE AND SHARING OF YOUR INFORMATION

Our Use of Your Information. The data we gather from you may be used for various purposes: (1) to supply you with information or process transactions you’ve requested or agreed to; (2) to improve our Applications or Services and to personalize your experience; (3) to communicate with you regarding your use of the Applications, including notifying you of updates or changes to our policies; (4) for our internal business operations; (5) for the purposes outlined when you provide your information; and (6) as further described in this Privacy Policy.

Communicating with You. By providing your information in connection with a specific activity, you are establishing a business relationship with us, giving us permission to contact you regarding the use of your data. You also affirm that you have the legal authority to provide any telephone numbers and authorize us to contact you via various means, including in-person, recorded message, email, telephone, mobile device (including automated dialing systems), SMS text, or any other method of communication compatible with your device.

Essential Communications. We may send you necessary notifications related to your use of our Services. These communications are not promotional and cannot be opted out of, as they are required for service functionality.

Service Providers We Use. We may employ third-party service providers to assist in the operation of our business, Applications, or to manage certain activities on our behalf. Your information may be shared with these third parties exclusively for these operational purposes.

Joint Areas. Certain sections of our Applications may be provided in association with third parties, such as sponsors or advertisers who offer products or services (“Joint Areas”). These areas will clearly identify the associated third party. If you choose to register for products or services within these Joint Areas, your personal information may be shared with both us and the third party, or provided directly to the third party to fulfill their services. Your information will be governed by both this Privacy Policy and the privacy practices of the third party. We suggest reviewing the privacy policies of any third-party sponsors or advertisers you engage with.

Legal and Safety Concerns. We may access and disclose your personal information, communications, and other data without your consent if required by law (e.g., court orders, subpoenas), or to investigate suspected fraud, violations of our Terms of Use, or illegal activities that may expose us to legal risk. Additionally, we may disclose your information in situations where there are potential threats to the safety of individuals or property, or if we believe your conduct on the Applications is inappropriate.

Transfer of Business or Assets. In the event of a sale or transfer of our business or assets, or in cases of insolvency, bankruptcy, or receivership, customer information, including personal data, may be among the assets transferred. This information may also be disclosed during business transactions where we seek investment, financing, or support. Personal data in such transactions will be handled according to the Privacy Policy in place at the time of collection. You will be notified via email and/or a prominent notice on our Applications if there are any changes in ownership or in the usage of your personal information, along with any available choices regarding your data.

We share your personal information with third parties only in the ways described in this Privacy Policy. We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Data Collection and Advertising. We and certain third-party vendors use first-party cookies (such as Google Analytics) and third-party cookies (such as Google advertising cookies) in combination to identify you, customize your experience, and serve ads on and off the Applications.

Affiliates: Your information may be disclosed to our affiliates.

Utilizing Google Maps Platform APIs: We may disclose your information to specific Google Maps Platform APIs, such as the Google Maps API and Places API. These services utilize GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular tower data to approximate your location, with GPS offering about 20 meters of accuracy. Wi-Fi and cellular data are used to enhance location accuracy, especially in areas where GPS signals are weak, like indoor environments. This location data assists in providing navigational directions through Google Maps, though it may not always be entirely accurate. Additionally, we store your location data on your device (cache).

IV. YOUR RIGHTS

Right to Know: You have the right to request information about the personal data we have collected, used, shared, or sold about you, including the purposes for these actions. This includes categories, sources, usage, and specific details of your personal data as mentioned in Section I of this Privacy Policy. If you wish to see the exact personal information we have on record, you can search for your name and review the profile results. The profile will reflect only the personal data we have collected. Any missing data is not collected by this website but might be available through other online sources.

Opt-Out and Deletion: Upon your request, we can block the display of records we control within our database on our Applications. You can submit a request to block your personal information from being searchable using the link provided below. We will only process opt-out requests directly from the person whose information is being blocked, and we reserve the right to verify your identity. Please note that we cannot remove your information from databases operated by third parties. Additional details may be required to verify your request, ensuring the information matches what we have on record. This information will be used solely to handle your request. We do not accept opt-out requests via fax or mail. To manage or remove your public records from our database, please visit https://www.officialusa.com/opt-out/. Please be advised that changes may not be immediate. Even after requesting the removal of your personal information, we may retain certain data for legal or recordkeeping purposes, and residual data may continue to exist in our systems, which will not be deleted or modified.

We do not have authority over public records, and we cannot ensure that a request to delete or update personal information will fully result in the removal or modification of all your details from our Applications.

Opt-Out Option: You are entitled to opt out of having your personal information sold to third parties. As of January 1, 2020, this right can be exercised by selecting the "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link found in the footer of our Applications. We do not engage in selling the personal information of minors. Please note that opting out will also serve as a request to remove your profile from our Services.

Fair Treatment: You have the right to be free from discrimination when exercising any of your rights.

Publicly Available Information

The information provided through our people search tool is compiled from public records and does not constitute personal data. Therefore, it is not subject to state privacy regulations.

While this publicly available information is not covered by state privacy laws, including the CCPA, you can still request its removal. To opt out, please use our online tool at https://www.officialusa.com/opt-out/ or email your removal request to [email protected] (include your name, address, phone number, and the URL of your listing to help us locate and remove it).

In 2023, we processed 638,393 requests to remove information available through our people search tool. These requests were handled immediately through our online opt-out tool.

V. CRUCIAL DISCLOSURES, PROCEDURES, AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Links to External Sites and Communities. When using hyperlinks to navigate to external or third-party sites and communities, please note that these are outside our control and, as such, are not covered by this Privacy Policy. We advise you to review the privacy policies of these sites and communities to see how they handle your personal data.

Public Directory Listing. We include your details in our publicly available member directory. If you prefer to have your information removed from the directory, please go to https://www.officialusa.com/opt-out/.

Social Media Tools. Our Applications incorporate Social Media Features, including the Facebook Like button, and Widgets like the Share This button or various interactive mini-programs. These tools can collect information such as your IP address and which page you are on within our Applications, and they may use cookies to function correctly. Social Media Features and Widgets might be hosted directly on our Applications or by third parties. The privacy policy of the company that provides them governs your interactions with these tools.

Security Disclaimer. It's important to understand that no data transmission over the Internet or wireless network, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. We are unable to guarantee the absolute security of the information you transmit to us. Your decision to use our Applications implies an acceptance of this risk.

Guidance for International Users. The Applications are based and operated in the United States. If you access the Applications from outside the United States, please understand that your information will be transferred to, processed, and stored in the U.S. U.S. data protection laws may not be equivalent to those in your country. By using the Applications and providing us with your information, you consent to this transfer, processing, and storage in the U.S. You also agree to the use of U.S. federal and California state law for all issues arising from the use of the Applications and related to this Privacy Policy.

Your Rights Under California Law. California Civil Code Section 1798.83 allows California residents who use our Applications to inquire about our practices related to the disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. We confirm that we do not disclose personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

Do Not Track Disclosure. Our Site is presently unable to identify or process any automated browser signals related to tracking preferences, including "Do Not Track" requests.

Protection of Children's Privacy. The Applications are not designed for children under 18 years old and do not purposefully gather personal information from anyone under this age. If it comes to our attention that we have collected personal data from a minor under 18, we will promptly remove the individual’s information from our records.

Privacy Policy Modifications. From time to time, we may revise this Privacy Policy to align with new technologies, changes in our Applications, or shifts in our data practices. The updated policy will always be available on our Site, noted by the "Last Updated" date. Any material changes to how we manage your personal information will prompt a change in this date. If we propose to use your personal information in a way that significantly differs from that described in the Privacy Policy at the time of collection, we will offer you the chance to approve the change. Without your consent, your data will be processed according to the original policy terms under which it was collected. By using the Applications after updates to the policy, you are agreeing to the new terms.

Legal Disputes. Any disputes arising from your use of the Applications related to privacy issues are subject to this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. This includes limitations on possible damages and specifies that disputes will be resolved under the laws of the United States and Florida.

No Enforceable Third-Party Rights. This Privacy Policy is not designed to create rights that third parties can enforce, nor does it require the sharing of any personal information about users of the Applications.

VI. HOW TO REACH US

For any questions related to this Privacy Policy or the operation of the Applications, please reach out to us by email at [email protected]

Last updated on October 03, 2024