It's a fact: when it comes to things like end-user license agreements and terms of service, legalese has triumphed over readability, obfuscation has triumphed over plain speaking and the golden rule has been all but abandoned.
We call them weasel words, and we don't like them.
Not much we can do about it as a tiny start-up, but what we CAN do is give you a simple top line and THEN do the weasel words as abridged and as non-egregious as we know how to make them.
The overarching theme? WE believe in the golden rule ("do unto others..."), which in the business world means: we have no intention of %#^$ing YOU; and we will do our best to prevent anyone from %#^$ing US.
So here we go. If you REALLY need to read the legalese, here are the links.
Privacy is a BIG DEAL, and we will do our best to do right by you.
Here's what we mean:
Privacy Policy
Privacy is a BIG DEAL, and we will do our best to do right by you.
Here's what we mean:
Cookies
When you first visit Helium | Design Lab’s website, you will be greeted with a banner giving you the ability to opt-in or opt-out of any types of information you agree to let us track. By clicking “Cookies Settings,” you are able to specify which of the types you will permit us to keep and use. Please do take advantage of this.
Order Fulfillment
Of COURSE we collect your name and shipping address, as well as phone number, email address and other relevant information we need to process your order.
We will ONLY ask for the information we need to fulfill your order.
We will not share ANY of your contact information with anyone, but we WILL hang onto your shipping details and order history to so we can help you with things like warranty replacements or returns should the need arise.
If you create a Helium | Design Lab account, we store your account password, which you can reset or change at any time, but WE don't have access to it and neither does anyone else -- at least not through our system. Some kind of kinky data breach courtesy of hackers attacking software we use? That's beyond our control and we can't be responsible for that.
Although it would suck for everybody except the bad guys.
Credit Card Processing
We use Squarespace's processing portal for credit card processing, and we don't keep your credit card information in our system. Again, your data is only used once to capture the funds necessary to fulfill your order.
Website data
Our website serves a global audience. Your IP address helps tell us where in the world you are located (unless you use a VPN, and then we DON'T know where you're located).
That's some cool spy-sounding stuff right there.
When you come to Helium | Design Lab’s website, your IP address IS automatically tracked to personalize, in theory, your shopping experience (although to be candid even with ourselves, we're not really sure what we might be able to do with that data that really WOULD make it a better shopping experience for you save for things like automating shipping and tax information to streamline the ordering process).
It's a service provided to us by software tools available to us via Squarespace.
We DO know that this kind of tracking is regarded in the industry as critical to the functionality of our kind of website and is considered necessary.
Analytics
Our analytics are limited to what Squarespace offers us, and we use THAT to help us figure out how to make our site ever easier and better to use.
We do not use ANY other services like, for example, Google Analytics.
Digital Advertising
We do not knowingly share ANY data with digital advertisers.
We hate being placed on contact lists sold by other web sites, too. We don't use digital advertising, but w e DO engage with our customers and prospects via email and social media.
Specifics of Protecting Your Data
So, right: we use Squarespace’s tools and security features to protect your personal information.
We use commercially available means and methods available to us to transmit, store, and secure your data.
BUT -- you DO know this, right? -- Helium | Design Lab cannot GUARANTEE that unauthorized third parties will NEVER be able to defeat these security measures or use your personal information for improper purposes.
If any information under our control is compromised as a result of a security breach, Helium | Design Lab will take reasonable steps to investigate the situation and where appropriate, notify those individuals whose information may have been compromised. Helium | Design Lab will take any and all other steps, in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations.
We do not sell any data to any outside parties. Ever.
COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Act) Compliance.
We are in compliance with the requirements of COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) and do not knowingly or willfully collect ANY information from anyone under 13 years of age. Our website, products and services are all directed to people who are at least 13 years old (probably SIGNIFICANTLY older than that, given what we sell).
Third Party Links
We may include links to other products, websites, or services on our website or via our social media channels that have relevance to our business and offerings. These third party sites may have separate and independent privacy policies. We have nor share responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. We do strive to protect the integrity of our site, and therefore welcome any feedback about these sites.
Terms and Conditions
Refer to our Terms and Conditions page that establish the use, disclaimers, and/or limitations of liability governing the use our our website.
Consent
By using our website, you consent to Helium | Design Lab’s privacy policy, which is what we just outlined, DUH.
Changes
This Privacy Policy was last updated July 1, 2024
Contact Us
We are happy to address any questions regarding our privacy policy by emailing us at info@heliumlab.design.