Privacy Policy

At Hinrichs Specialty Services and Technology (HSST), we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our clients, community members, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy details how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your information when you interact with our website (hinrichsspecialtyservices.com) and our consulting or digital services.

1. Information We Collect

We only collect the minimum amount of information necessary to deliver our services, process requests, and improve your user experience. The types of information we collect include:

A. Information You Provide Directly

• Contact and Inquiry Forms: When you contact us about services, consultation, or message us through our forms, we collect your name, email address, phone number, company/organization name, budget details, timeline, and the contents of your message.
• Service Requests: Details about the website, social media, virtual assistance, or technology work you ask us to evaluate.
• Newsletter Requests: Your email address when you ask to receive HSST updates.

B. Payment Record Information

When you pay through an agreed method such as Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, check, wire, or cash, HSST may record the payer name, amount, date, method, reference, notes, and associated invoice. The website does not collect full bank account credentials or payment passwords.

C. Automatically Collected Information

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand page usage, service interest, form activity, and website performance. Analytics collection is configured to avoid intentionally sending names, payment details, or form message contents.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following business and operational purposes:

• To provide, manage, and deliver the consulting and digital solutions you request.
• To respond to your inquiries, schedule consultations, and provide customer support.
• To process transactions and send payment receipts.
• To send you our newsletter, digital tip sheets, and updates, provided you have opted in (you can unsubscribe at any time).
• To maintain the safety, security, and integrity of our digital platforms.
• To meet applicable legal, tax, accounting, contractual, and regulatory obligations.

3. How Information is Stored and Secured

We implement robust technical and organizational security measures to protect your data:

• Database Security: Stored information is held in secure databases (such as Cloud Firestore and PostgreSQL) protected by strict security rules, access controls, and encryption in transit and at rest.
• Data Retention: We retain personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
• No Selling of Data: We will never sell, rent, trade, or distribute your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Third-Party Services We Use

We partner with selected third-party service providers to help run our business. These companies are authorized to use your personal information only as necessary to provide these services to us:

• Firebase: Validating contact requests, protecting forms from abuse, CRM authentication, cloud functions, and database infrastructure.
• Google Analytics: Aggregated website usage and performance measurement.
• Hostinger: Public website hosting and domain services.
• Anthropic: Website assistant and administrator-only survey generation.

5. Your Choices and Rights

You have control over your personal data. Depending on your location and context, you have the following rights:

• Opt-Out of Communications: You can opt-out of receiving newsletter or marketing emails from us by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or by contacting us directly.
• Access and Deletion: You may request to see what personal information we hold about you, or request that we update or delete it. Please contact us to make this request.
• Required Financial Records: Some invoice and payment information must be retained for tax, accounting, dispute, or legal purposes.

6. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when it was last revised.

7. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact Brandon Hinrichs directly: