Online Privacy Policy for Lee Towle Designs

Effective Date: May 11, 2025
Last Updated: May 11, 2025

Lee Towle Designs (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website https://www.leetowledesigns.com (the “Service”). As a Sarasota-based digital illustrator, graphic designer, and web designer, I’m committed to protecting your privacy while sharing my passion for web design, digital art, and creative services. This Online Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our Service, in compliance with applicable data privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and other U.S. state privacy laws effective in 2025.

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy. If you have questions, please contact us at Info@LeeTowleDesigns.com or 941.224.1886.

Table of Contents

  1. Definitions

  2. Information We Collect

  3. How We Use Your Information

  4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

  5. Data Retention

  6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

  7. Data Security

  8. Your Data Protection Rights

  9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

  10. Children’s Privacy

  11. Third-Party Services

  12. International Data Transfers

  13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

  14. Contact Us

1. Definitions

  • Service: The website https://www.leetowledesigns.com, operated by Lee Towle Designs.

  • Personal Data: Information that can identify a living individual (e.g., name, email address), as defined by GDPR Art. 4.

  • Usage Data: Automatically collected data about how the Service is used (e.g., IP address, page visit duration).

  • Cookies: Small data files stored on your device to enhance functionality or track usage.

  • Data Controller: Lee Towle Designs, determining the purposes and means of processing your Personal Data.

  • Data Processor: Third parties (e.g., Squarespace) processing data on our behalf.

  • Data Subject: You, the individual using our Service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect minimal information to provide and improve the Service, reflecting our current setup and potential future features (e.g., email marketing, advertising).

Personal Data

When you use our contact forms or interact with the Service, we may collect:

  • Name (first and last)

  • Email address

  • Phone number (if provided for quote requests)

  • Any information you voluntarily submit (e.g., project details in forms)

Usage Data

Squarespace, our hosting platform, automatically collects:

  • IP address

  • Browser type/version

  • Device information (e.g., operating system)

  • Pages visited, time/date of visits, time spent on pages

  • Unique device identifiers and diagnostic data

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Squarespace uses:

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality (e.g., navigation, form submissions). No consent is required.

  • Analytics Cookies: Track site performance (e.g., visitor counts). You can opt-out via browser settings or our cookie banner (if enabled).

We do not currently use third-party tracking (e.g., HubSpot, Facebook, Twitter) but may use Google Ads in the future, which could involve advertising cookies. If this policy is implemented, we’ll update it and provide opt-out options.

Future Email Marketing

If we implement Mailchimp for newsletters or free coloring page downloads, we’ll collect your email address with explicit consent and provide opt-out instructions.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

  • Operate and maintain the Service (e.g., process form submissions).

  • Respond to quote requests or inquiries.

  • Analyze usage to improve the Service (e.g., via Squarespace analytics).

  • Send newsletters or promotional materials (with consent, if Mailchimp is used).

  • Comply with legal obligations (e.g., record-keeping).

  • Prevent fraud or technical issues.

In the future, we may use data for Google Ads to serve personalized ads, with clear opt-out mechanisms.

5. Data Retention

  • Personal Data: Retained only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined (e.g., responding to inquiries). Form data is deleted after 12 months unless required for contracts or legal obligations.

  • Usage Data: Retained by Squarespace for analytics, typically for 12 months, then anonymized.

  • Future Email Data: If using Mailchimp, email addresses are retained until you unsubscribe.

We comply with GDPR and CCPA requirements to minimize data retention.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We share your data only as necessary:

  • Squarespace: As our hosting provider, Squarespace processes data to run the Service (e.g., form storage, analytics). See Squarespace’s Privacy Policy: https://www.squarespace.com/privacy.

  • Future Third Parties: If we use Mailchimp or Google Ads, data may be shared for email marketing or advertising, with your consent and opt-out options.

  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose data to comply with laws, respond to court orders, or protect our rights, property, or safety.

We do not sell your data, per CCPA and GDPR standards.

7. Data Security

We use commercially reasonable measures to protect your data, including:

  • Squarespace’s firewalls, redundancies, and vulnerability testing.

  • Secure form submissions via SSL encryption.

  • Limited access to your data by Lee Towle Designs.

No online transmission is 100% secure, but we strive to safeguard your information.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you have rights under GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and 2025 U.S. state laws (e.g., Delaware, New Jersey):

  • Access: Request a copy of your Personal Data.

  • Rectification: Correct inaccurate data.

  • Deletion: Request data deletion (subject to legal obligations).

  • Restriction: Limit data processing.

  • Portability: Receive data in a machine-readable format.

  • Object: Opt out of marketing or analytics processing.

  • Opt-Out of Sales: We do not sell data, but you can opt out of future targeted advertising (e.g., Google Ads) via browser settings or Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals.

  • Non-Discrimination: We won’t discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

To exercise these rights, contact us at Info@LeeTowleDesigns.com. We’ll respond within 45 days (extendable by 45 days for complex requests, per CCPA) and may verify your identity. For GDPR complaints, contact your local Data Protection Authority.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Squarespace uses essential and analytics cookies to operate and improve the Service. We do not use third-party tracking cookies (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). If Google Ads is implemented, we’ll:

  • Use advertising cookies only with consent (GDPR) or opt-out options (CCPA).

  • Honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals, per California and Colorado laws.

Manage Cookies:

  • Adjust browser settings to refuse cookies (note: this may limit functionality).

  • Use our cookie banner (if enabled) to customize preferences.

  • Install the Google Analytics opt-out add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our Service is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from children under 13 (per COPPA) or 13-17 (per new state laws, e.g., Maryland, New Jersey). If a parent or guardian believes we’ve collected a child’s data, contact us at Info@LeeTowleDesigns.com, and we’ll remove it promptly.

11. Third-Party Services

  • Squarespace: Hosts the Service and collects Usage Data. See their Privacy Policy: https://www.squarespace.com/privacy.

  • Future Services:

    • Mailchimp: For email marketing, with consent and opt-out options.

    • Google Ads: For advertising, with opt-out via Google Ads Settings: http://www.google.com/settings/ads.

    • External Shops: Links to FineArtAmerica, Amazon Merch, Redbubble, and Etsy are provided, but we do not control their privacy practices. Review their policies before purchasing.

12. International Data Transfers

As a U.S.-based business, we process data in the United States. For EEA/UK/Swiss users, Squarespace uses Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to ensure GDPR-compliant transfers. By using the Service, you consent to data transfers to the U.S., where laws may differ from your jurisdiction.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect legal or operational changes. Updates will be posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date. Significant changes will be notified via email or a prominent notice on the Service before taking effect. Review periodically for updates.

14. Contact Us

For questions or to exercise your rights, contact:

We’re here to help, whether you’re curious about your data or inspired to create something beautiful with web design, graphic design, or digital artwork!