1. Introduction
Blockz (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates blockz.com and the Blockz Awards program. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, enter our awards, or use our services.
By using our website or services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
When you enter the Blockz Awards or use our services, we collect:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, company name, job title
- Billing Information: Billing address, company details
- Payment Information: Credit/debit card details (processed securely by Stripe – we do not store card details)
- Entry Submissions: Award category selections, campaign details, case studies, work samples, supporting materials, results data
- Account Information: Username, password (encrypted), profile information
- Communications: Messages you send us via contact forms, email, or support channels
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we automatically collect:
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website
- Cookies: See Section 5 for details on cookie usage
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
3.1 Award Administration
- Processing award entries and payments
- Evaluating submissions and determining winners
- Communicating with entrants about their submissions
- Announcing and promoting award winners
- Providing winner recognition packages (badges, certificates, directory listings)
3.2 Service Delivery
- Creating and managing user accounts
- Processing transactions and sending receipts
- Providing customer support
- Sending important service updates and notifications
3.3 Marketing & Communications
- Sending newsletters and promotional emails (with your consent)
- Informing you about future awards, deadlines, and industry news
- Featuring winners in press releases and social media
3.4 Legal & Security
- Complying with legal obligations
- Preventing fraud and unauthorized access
- Enforcing our terms and conditions
- Resolving disputes
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For users in the European Economic Area, we process your data based on:
- Contract Performance: Processing necessary to fulfill our services (award entries, account management)
- Consent: Marketing emails, cookies, promotional use of winner information
- Legitimate Interests: Website analytics, fraud prevention, service improvement
- Legal Obligation: Tax records, legal compliance, dispute resolution
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep you logged in
- Remember your preferences
- Analyze website traffic and usage
- Improve user experience
Types of Cookies:
- Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality (cannot be disabled)
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
- Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements (requires consent)
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.
6. Third-Party Services
We share your information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our business:
Payment Processing
- Stripe (United States) – Secure payment processing
- Stripe processes and stores payment card details. Review Stripe’s privacy policy: stripe.com/privacy
Email Services
- MailerSend (United States/EU) – Transactional and marketing emails
- Review MailerSend’s privacy policy: mailersend.com/legal/privacy-policy
Website Hosting
- Our website and database are hosted on secure servers. Data may be stored in multiple locations including the United States and European Union.
Analytics
- We may use analytics tools to understand website usage and improve our services
These third parties are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.
7. International Data Transfers
Blockz operates globally, and your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your residence, including the United States. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:
- Standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission
- Adequacy decisions where applicable
- Your explicit consent where required
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Fulfill the purposes described in this policy
- Comply with legal obligations (typically 7 years for financial records)
- Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
Specific Retention Periods:
- Award Entries: Retained indefinitely for historical records and winner recognition
- Payment Records: 7 years for tax and legal compliance
- Marketing Emails: Until you unsubscribe
- Account Data: Until account deletion requested
- Support Communications: 3 years
You may request deletion of your data subject to legal retention requirements.
9. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
All Users:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal exceptions)
- Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time
EU/EEA Users (GDPR):
- Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
- Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing at any time
- Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority
California Residents (CCPA/CPRA):
- Right to know what personal information is collected, used, and shared
- Right to delete personal information
- Right to opt-out of sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights
To Exercise Your Rights: Email us at: [email protected]
We will respond to requests within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA).
10. Winner Recognition
If you win a Blockz Award, we may publicly share:
- Your name and/or company name
- Award category won
- Year of award
Entry Data Confidentiality:
All submitted work samples, campaign details, case studies, results data, and supporting materials remain strictly confidential. We do not publish or share your entry submissions publicly. This information is viewed only by our judging panel and internal team for evaluation purposes.
You may request additional privacy protections or anonymous recognition by contacting us at [email protected].
11. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child without parental consent, we will delete it promptly.
12. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:
- SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
- Secure password hashing
- Regular security assessments
- Limited employee access to personal data
- Secure payment processing via PCI-compliant providers
However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on this page
- Updating the “Last Updated” date
- Sending email notification for material changes
Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data:
Email: [email protected]
Website: blockz.com/contact