Welcome to Greenwashing Index (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “Greenwashing Index”). We are committed to protecting the privacy of our users (“you,” “your”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website greenwashingindex.com (the “Site”), including any other media form, media channel, mobile website, or mobile application related or connected thereto.
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 “Effective Date” of this Privacy Policy. You are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed of updates.
Information We Collect
We may collect information about you in a variety of ways. The information we may collect on the Site includes:
1. Information You Provide to Us Directly:
- Ad Submissions: When you submit an ad, we collect the information you provide, such as the ad URL, company name, product name, the claim being made, your analysis of why it’s greenwashing, and your rating (1-5). You may also optionally provide your name and email address.
- Ratings & Comments: When you rate or comment on an existing ad, we collect your rating, the content of your comment, your name, and your email address.
- Contact Form: If you contact us via our contact form, we collect your name, email address, and the content of your message.
2. Information Collected Automatically:
- Log and Usage Data: Like most websites, our servers automatically collect information when you access the Site, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, access times, and the pages you have viewed directly before and after accessing the Site.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and other tracking technologies on the Site to help customize the Site and improve your experience. For more information on how we use cookies, please refer to our Cookie Policy section below (Section 5).
- Device Information: We may collect device information, such as your computer or mobile device ID, model, and manufacturer, and information about the location of your device if you grant us permission.
How We Use Your Information
Having accurate information about you permits us to provide you with a smooth, efficient, and customized experience. Specifically, we may use information collected about you via the Site to:
- Display your submitted ads, ratings, and comments publicly on the Site as part of the Greenwashing Index.
- Operate and maintain the Site, including for troubleshooting and security purposes.
- Respond to your comments, questions, and requests and provide customer service.
- Monitor and analyze usage and trends to improve your experience with the Site and to improve the Site’s functionality.
- Notify you of updates to the Site or changes to our policies (though we primarily rely on updating the “Effective Date”).
- Prevent fraudulent transactions, monitor against theft, and protect against criminal activity.
- Comply with legal obligations.
Disclosure of Your Information
We may share information we have collected about you in certain situations. Your information may be disclosed as follows:
a. Publicly Visible Information:
- The content of your ad submissions (ad URL, company, product, claim, analysis, rating).
- Your submitted ratings and comments, along with the name you provide.
Note: Your email address provided with submissions, ratings, or comments will NOT be publicly displayed, but is collected for moderation or contact purposes if necessary.
b. By Law or to Protect Rights:
If we believe the release of information about you is necessary to respond to legal process, to investigate or remedy potential violations of our policies, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of others, we may share your information as permitted or required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation.
c. Third-Party Service Providers:
We may share your information with third parties that perform services for us or on our behalf, including web hosting, data analysis (e.g., analytics), email delivery, and customer service. These providers will only have access to the information necessary to perform their functions and are obligated to maintain the confidentiality and security of that information.
d. Aggregated/Anonymized Data:
We may share aggregated or anonymized information that does not directly identify you with third parties for research, analysis, or other purposes.
e. Business Transfers:
In the event of a merger, acquisition, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Greenwashing Index’s assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, your information may be among the assets transferred.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
a. Cookies: A cookie is a small text file stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. We use cookies to:
- Keep you logged in (if applicable, though current functionality doesn’t seem to require user accounts).
- Understand how you use our Site.
- Improve your user experience.
- Compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interactions in order to offer better site experiences and tools in the future.
b. Types of Cookies We May Use:
- Strictly Necessary Cookies: Essential for you to browse the website and use its features.
- Performance Cookies: Collect information about how you use our Site (e.g., which pages you visit most often). This data may be used to help optimize our website and make it easier for you to navigate. These cookies do not collect information that identifies you.
- Functionality Cookies: Allow our Site to remember choices you make (such as your username, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features.
- Third-Party Cookies: In addition to our own cookies, we may also use various third-parties cookies (e.g., from Google Analytics) to report usage statistics of the Service, deliver advertisements on and through the Service, and so on.
c. Your Choices Regarding Cookies:
- Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. If you prefer, you can usually choose to set your browser to remove or reject browser cookies. Please note that if you choose to remove or reject cookies, this could affect the availability and functionality of the Site.
- For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org.
Data Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical security measures to help protect your personal information. While we have taken reasonable steps to secure the personal information you provide to us, please be aware that despite our efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse. Any information disclosed online is vulnerable to interception and misuse by unauthorized parties.
Data Retention
We will retain your information 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. User-submitted content (ads, ratings, comments) will generally be retained indefinitely as part of the public archive of the Greenwashing Index, unless we receive a valid request for removal or deem removal necessary.
Your Data Protection Rights
Depending on your location (e.g., if you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or California), you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- The right to access: You have the right to request copies of your personal data.
- The right to rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate or complete information you believe is incomplete.
- The right to erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You have the right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions. Note that content submitted for public display (ads, comments) may not be erasable if it compromises the integrity of the index or if we have overriding legitimate grounds.
- The right to restrict processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
- The right to object to processing: You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
- The right to data portability: You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions.
- The right to withdraw consent: If we are relying on your consent to process your personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.
Third-Party Websites
The Site may contain links to third-party websites and applications of interest, including advertisements and external services, that are not affiliated with us. Once you have used these links to leave the Site, any information you provide to these third parties is not covered by this Privacy Policy, and we cannot guarantee the safety and privacy of your information. Before visiting and providing any information to any third-party websites, you should inform yourself of the privacy policies and practices (if any) of the third party responsible for that website.
Children’s Privacy
The Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions like the EEA, unless parental consent is obtained). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under this age. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information from our servers.
International Data Transfers
Your information, including personal data, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ from those of your jurisdiction. If you are located outside the United States and choose to provide information to us, please note that we transfer the data, including Personal Data, to the United States and process it there. Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by your submission of such information represents your agreement to that transfer. We will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Effective Date” at the top. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.