Privacy and Cookie Policy

Privacy and Cookie Policy

This Privacy and Cookie Policy (“Policy”) describes the personal information that Bekatec Online Solutions Inc. (“Bekatec”, “we” or “us”) collects from or about you when you use our website, or use our services (the “Services”).  It also describes how we use that information, and to whom we disclose it. “Personal information” means information about an identifiable individual.       

Please read this Policy carefully.  If you do not agree with this Policy, you should not access or use our website or our Services.  This Policy should be read in conjunction with the cookies “banner.”

We may modify this Policy from time to time. We will provide you with notice of any material changes to this Policy by publishing or communicating the changes through our website, or by other reasonable means, so that you may review the changes before continuing to use our Services.  Your continued use of our website or Services after we publish or communicate a notice about any changes to this Policy means that you are consenting to the changes unless you expressly indicate otherwise.

Accountability and Openness / Compliance

Bekatec is responsible for personal information under our control.  We have established procedures to effectively safeguard any confidential personal information that we have on file or which we collect, and to deal with complaints and inquiries.  We only collect personally identifiable data when it is voluntarily submitted by you through our business dealings including through your use of our website or Services, and we are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality and security of your personal information.  We will ensure that you have access to information regarding the policies and procedures that we use to manage your personal information. 

Bekatec has designated a privacy and data protection officer (“Privacy Officer”) who is accountable for the protection of data containing personal information and for our compliance with this Policy generally, as well as for ensuring that information about our policies and practices relating to the management of personal information is easily accessible.  All questions or concerns regarding this Policy, and our compliance with it, should be directed to the Privacy Officer in writing and sent by email to contact@bekatec.ca.

or by mail to:

Privacy Officer
Bekatec Online Solutions Inc.
#522 – 515 Chatham Street
Victoria, BC
V8T 1E1

Every complaint or challenge regarding our compliance with this Policy will be investigated and, where a deficiency is found to exist, we will take appropriate measures to address it.  This may include amending our policies and procedures as necessary. We will also cooperate with regulatory authorities to resolve any complaints that cannot be resolved between us and an individual user. 

You have the right to contact the relevant regulatory or data protection authority should you have concerns regarding our compliance with applicable privacy regulations.  Please refer to the website of your local regulatory or data protection authority in order to obtain their contact information.

In the event of a security breach concerning personal information, we will notify affected individuals as soon as practical after discovering the breach.  In any event, if a breach is likely to affect the rights and freedoms of the affected individual, we will ensure that the notification is made without undue delay.

Consent

Except as expressly provided in this Policy or as otherwise permitted by law, consent is required for the collection of personal information and the subsequent use or disclosure of that information.  Consent may be express or implied, except in the case of sensitive personal information – such as information about race, ethnicity, religion, health, or sexuality – in which case consent should always be explicit.  For consent to be meaningful, it must be specific, informed, unambiguous and freely given.  Consent will only be valid if it is reasonable to expect that the individual understands the nature, purpose and consequences of the collection, use or disclosure of the personal information to which they are consenting.  Typically, consent will be sought for the use or disclosure of your personal information at the time of collection, and reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that you understand the purpose(s) for which the information will be used or disclosed.   In certain circumstances, consent regarding use or disclosure may be sought after the information has been collected, but before use, such as when we wish to use personal information already in our possession for a purpose that was not previously identified. We try to limit the circumstances under which we collect and process sensitive personal information. 

By voluntarily submitting your personal information or otherwise engaging with us or using our website or Services, you signify your agreement to the terms and conditions of this Policy and to our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with this Policy.  You may make inquiries, or change or withdraw your consent to the collection, use and/or disclosure of your personal information at any time by contacting the Privacy Officer in writing at either of the addresses listed above (see: Accountability and Openness / Compliance).  In some circumstances, particularly where our use of your information is integral to the provision of a Service, a change or withdrawal of consent may affect your ability to use and/or our ability to provide you with certain information, products or services. 

Collection of Information

What Information is Collected and How?

Generally, we collect personal information only to the extent that it is necessary for the purposes set out below (see: Purpose – Why We Collect, Use and Disclose Information), and only when we have a legal basis to do so.  In most cases, we will collect personal information directly from you when you interact with us through our website, or when you engage with us for the purpose of inquiring about or procuring our Services.   Personal information will always be collected using means that are fair and lawful. We will not knowingly collect or use personal information for which consent has not been provided or cannot be reasonably implied.

Information collected in connection with the use of our Services may include:  name, email address, mailing address, business name and other identification and contact information such as telephone numbers; work contact details; and any other information that you may submit to us through the submission of a request for information, or in connection with our performance of the Services for you.

Information Collected through Automated Means

Device Information

We collect certain non-identifying information related to a user’s use of our website including the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the user’s computer or device, the user’s Internet service provider (ISP), the type and version of the browser that the user is using, the date and time the user accessed the website, and the operating system that the user is using.  We make no attempt to link this information with the identity of individuals.  We may, however, review server logs and anonymous traffic for system administration and security purposes, for example to detect intrusions into our systems, for planning and improving our website, and to monitor and compile statistics about usage.  The possibility therefore exists that server log data, which contains users’ IP addresses, could in instances of criminal malfeasance be used to trace and identify individuals.  In such instances, we may share raw data logs with the appropriate authorities for the purpose of investigating security breaches.

Cookies

“Cookies” are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. They are used to identify you to the web server, and will tell the server who you are when you return to a page on the same website. Your browser will only send a cookie back to the domain that originally sent it to you. A cookie cannot run any programs, deliver any viruses, or send back information about your system. Session cookies expire when you close your browser.   Persistent cookies remain on your device until they are deleted or expire.  We may use cookies to determine and facilitate your access to our website, to complete and support a current activity, to track website usage, to remember your language and other preferences, and to generally improve your experience.

When you use our website a banner informs you of the use of cookies, seeks your express consent to their use, and provides a direct link to this information page. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but if you do not wish to have cookies on your system, you should adjust your browser settings to decline them or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If you decline cookies, you will still be able to use the website and Services, but your ability to access certain features and functions on the website may be affected. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and remove them, please visit AboutCookies.org.

To manage the cookies and similar technologies used (tracking pixels, web beacons, etc.) and related consents, we use the consent tool “Real Cookie Banner”. Details on how “Real Cookie Banner” works can be found at https://devowl.io/rcb/data-processing/.

The legal basis for the processing of personal data in this context are Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR and Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. Our legitimate interest is the management of the cookies and similar technologies used and the related consents.

The provision of personal data is neither contractually required nor necessary for the conclusion of a contract. You are not obliged to provide the personal data. If you do not provide the personal data, we will not be able to manage your consents.

Change privacy settings

Privacy settings history

Revoke consents

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics, which uses cookies and similar technologies to collect and analyze information about the use of our website, and to report on activities, trends and user behavior patterns.  We do this to obtain an overview of how people are accessing and using the Site, as well as to provide marketing services to you.  Information that we use from Google Analytics includes: IP address; time per page; pages per session; bounce rate; device information; browser and operating systems; network; frequency of use; language; demographic; and geographic.  [JC1] You can learn about Google’s practices by going to www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners.  You can opt out by downloading the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, available at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Social Media Widgets

Our website may include social media features such as Facebook “like” button and widgets, a “share this” button, as well as various connection features though our LinkedIn page.  These features may collect your personal information, track your use of our website, collect your IP address, provide a means for third parties to view certain information about you and to contact you directly, and may set cookies to enable the features to function properly.  Social media features and widgets are either hosted by a third party or hosted directly on our website.  Your interactions with these features are governed by the privacy policy of the party providing it.

Retention of Personal Information

Subject to any legal or accounting requirements, we will retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected.  Personal information that is no longer required will be destroyed, erased or made anonymous, although copies of deleted information may continue to exist on back-up media.  You may request the erasure of your personal information at any time which, subject to our need to invoke any exceptions permitted under applicable law, we will endeavor to do without undue delay or as required by applicable law.  Written requests should be sent to the Privacy Officer at the address set out above (see: Accountability and Openness / Compliance)

Purpose – Why We Collect, Use and Disclose Information

We will identify the purposes for which we collect personal information before or at the time we request the information.  We will not collect personal information which is not necessary and, except as specified below, will not use or disclose personal information for any purpose other than the purpose(s) for which it was collected without first obtaining your consent.  The information that we collect is used and disclosed only for business purposes.  The business purposes for which we may use personal information include: 

  • to communicate with you and to respond to your inquiries regarding our products and services;
  • to enable you to engage us and to use the Services and resulting deliverables;
  • to improve our business, internal programs and operations;
  • to process, track and communicate with you about our Services;
  • to establish, maintain and manage business relations with you so that we may provide you with the information, products or services that you request;
  • internal business purposes, such as administering or improving our products and services;
  • to perform internal market research; to conduct polls, surveys and promotional activities, and for statistical purposes;
  • to obtain feedback regarding the Services and our ability to address the needs of our clients;
  • to provide you with information and promotional materials regarding Bekatec and Bekatec’s products and services;
  • to protect us against error, fraud, theft or damage to our business or our property, including our financial interests;
  • to collect debts owed to us;
  • to manage or transfer our assets or liabilities, such as in the case of an acquisition or merger, or refinancing;
  • to comply with any legal, accounting and regulatory requirements, applicable laws, and any search warrants, subpoenas or court orders; and
  • any other reasonable purpose for which you provide consent.

Where personal information that has been collected is to be used for a purpose not previously identified, and for which consent cannot be reasonably implied, the new purpose will be identified and consent obtained prior to the use of that information for the new purpose unless otherwise permitted by law.

Disclosure to Third Parties

Your personal information is never sold and, except as specifically provided in this Policy or permitted by law, will not be shared with third parties unless we provide you with both prior notice and choice. 

You acknowledge that, in the course of providing the Services to you, we may delegate our authority to collect, use or disclose your information to our parent company and to Canadian and international third party subcontractors.  Our parent company is Bekatec GmbH, a German corporation.  Third party subcontractors may include, without limitation, web hosts; payment or other data processors; credit verification services; file sharing and storage services; delivery and logistics providers; email marketing service providers, and legal, financial and human resources advisors.  If we transfer any personal information to a third party subcontractor, we will provide the subcontractors only with the information needed to perform the subcontracted service, and will use appropriate contractual means to provide a comparable level of protection while the information is being used or processed by them. Without limitation, we will ensure that our parent company and any third party subcontractors are bound to adhere to this policy, appropriate confidentiality provisions and all applicable laws. Details regarding the personal information that we make available to our third party contractors, and how it is used, is available by contacting the Privacy Officer at the address set out above (see: Accountability and Openness / Compliance).  Any request made by you to correct, change or erase your personal information will be promptly communicated to any third party subcontractors in possession of that information. 

We may disclose your personal information without your knowledge or consent where we are permitted or required to do so by applicable law, government request, request of a law enforcement agency, search warrant, subpoena or court order, or based on our good faith belief that it is necessary to do so in order to comply with such law, request, warrant, subpoena or court order, or to protect our business, assets, or third parties.

Subject to certain restrictions and unless prohibited by law, Bekatec may also use and disclose your personal information without your knowledge or consent where necessary in connection with a proposed or completed business transaction.  “Business transaction” includes those transactions described in the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, S.C. 200, c. 5, as amended. In each such case, Bekatec and the other part(ies) to the transaction or proposed transaction will enter into an agreement limiting the purposes for which the personal information may be used and disclosed, ensuring its protection by means appropriate to the sensitivity of the information, and providing for the return or destruction of the information if the transaction does not proceed, or if the transaction does proceed, to notify you within a reasonable time that your personal information has been disclosed.

Safeguards – How Information is Protected

We have implemented reasonable physical, organizational, contractual and technological security measures to protect personal information in our possession or under our control from loss or theft, and from unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification, regardless of the format in which the information is held.  The safeguards applied will depend on the sensitivity of the personal information, with the highest level of protection given to the most sensitive personal information.   We use user IDs, passwords, and encryption technology; secure websites; store personal information in secure electronic folders; and restrict the employees and contractors who have access to personal information to those having a “need to know” and who are bound by confidentiality obligations in order to ensure that information is handled and stored in a confidential and secure manner.  When destroying personal information, we delete electronically stored personal information and shred any tangible materials containing personal information.   While we will endeavour to destroy all copies of personal information, you acknowledge that deleted information may continue to exist on back-up media but will not be used unless permitted by law.

We will continually review and update our security policies and controls as technology evolves.  However, no security technology can be guaranteed to be failsafe.  Using the Internet or other public means of communication to collect and process personal data may involve the transmission of data on an international basis and across networks not owned and/or operated by us.  Therefore, by communicating electronically with us, you acknowledge and agree to our processing of personal information in this way and agree that we are not responsible for any personal information which is lost, or which is altered, intercepted or stored by a third party without authorization.

Accuracy / Access

Bekatec has a responsibility to ensure that all personal information contained in our records or which is disclosed to third parties for the purposes described above is accurate, complete and up-to-date.  You may make a request in writing for access to your personal information by contacting the Privacy Officer at the address set out above (see: Accountability and Openness / Compliance).  Including “Request personal information” in the subject line of your email will facilitate compliance with your request to access or transfer your information.  We will inform you of your personal information held by us, and provide an account of the use that has been made of the information, as well as identify any third parties to whom the information has been disclosed. 

In certain circumstances, Bekatec may not be able to provide you with access to all or some of your personal information, in which case you will be advised in writing of the reasons for our inability to provide you with the information. 

If you demonstrate the inaccuracy or incompleteness of your personal information, the information will be amended as appropriate.  You should advise us immediately if you discover inaccuracies in our data, or if your personal information changes.  You have the right to withdraw consent to our use of your personal information.  You acknowledge that withdrawal of consent may affect our ability to provide information or Services to you. All notices and requests regarding inaccuracies, changes or withdrawal of consent should be in writing and sent to the Privacy Officer at the addresses set out above (see: Accountability and Openness / Compliance).

International Transfer and Storage of Information

You acknowledge and agree that your personal information may be transmitted, transferred, processed, and/or stored outside of Canada, including in Germany, the United States, Slovakia and Vietnam.   We will use reasonable means to ensure that your information is protected, but cannot guarantee that the laws of any foreign jurisdiction will accord the same degree of protection as the laws of Canada.  By submitting your personal information to us, you consent to the transmission, transfer, processing and/or storage of your personal information outside of Canada.

Minors

Minors (persons under the age of majority as defined in your jurisdiction) should not our website or Services, and we request that minors do not submit any personal information to us.  Bekatec does not knowingly collect personal information from minors without parental consent.

Governing Law

Your access to and use of the Bekatec website and Services, and this Policy, are governed exclusively by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein (excluding conflicts or choice of laws principles).  You attorn to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia for all matters arising under or in connection with this Policy, your use of Bekatec website and the Services.  In case of any inconsistency between this Policy, and applicable law, applicable law shall prevail and this Policy shall be interpreted so as to apply only to the extent permitted by law.