Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

Last updated: September 2025

Introduction

Paragon ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our donation platform and related services.

By using our platform, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

  • Name, email address, and contact information
  • Profile information, including your story and photos
  • Donation goals and preferences
  • Payment information (processed securely through Stripe)
  • Communications with our support team

Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information about your use of our platform:

  • Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
  • Usage patterns and interactions with our platform
  • Log files and analytics data
  • Cookies and similar tracking technologies

Third-Party Information

We may receive information from third parties, including:

  • Social media platforms (if you choose to connect your accounts)
  • Payment processors (Stripe) for transaction verification
  • Analytics providers for platform improvement

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve our donation platform
  • Process donations and facilitate transactions
  • Create and manage user profiles
  • Send important updates and notifications
  • Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
  • Ensure platform security and prevent fraud
  • Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
  • Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience

Marketing Communications

We may send you promotional communications about our services, but you can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting us directly.

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent

We may share your information when you explicitly consent to such sharing.

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform, including:

  • Payment processors (Stripe) for secure transaction processing
  • Cloud hosting providers for data storage and security
  • Analytics providers for platform improvement
  • Customer support tools for assistance

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or to:

  • Comply with legal processes or government requests
  • Protect our rights, property, or safety
  • Prevent fraud or illegal activities
  • Enforce our Terms of Service

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction, but we will ensure the receiving party maintains the same level of privacy protection.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against:

  • Unauthorized access, use, or disclosure
  • Accidental loss or destruction
  • Malicious attacks and data breaches

Security Measures

  • End-to-end encryption for sensitive data
  • Secure HTTPS connections for all communications
  • Regular security audits and updates
  • Access controls and authentication systems
  • Secure data centers with physical security

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we continuously work to improve our security measures.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Portability

You have the right to access your personal information and receive a copy in a portable format.

Correction and Updates

You can update or correct your personal information at any time through your account settings.

Deletion

You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal and operational requirements.

Opt-Out

You can opt out of marketing communications and certain data processing activities.

Data Portability

You can request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format for transfer to another service.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our platform:

Types of Cookies

  • Essential Cookies: Required for basic platform functionality
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our platform
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
  • Security Cookies: Protect against fraud and unauthorized access

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

Children's Privacy

Our platform is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and implement appropriate safeguards to protect your information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Paragon Privacy Team

Email: rj@paragoncommunity.org

Address: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Questions About Your Privacy?

We're here to help. Contact our privacy team for any questions or concerns.

Contact Us