General Overview
Barkley Ventures Franchising, LLC. (“BVF”, “us” or “we”) and its affiliates and designees have developed this privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) to explain our practices regarding the use and disclosure of information we may obtain from users of our website located at www.centralbarkusa.com, and the related or linked websites and microsites, including those for each Facility (as defined in the Terms of Use) (collectively, the “Sites”) or our related mobile applications (the “Apps”) (the Sites and Apps together referred to as the “Digital Services”). Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Terms of Use applicable to the Digital Services. This Privacy Policy only addresses our use and disclosure of information collected through the Digital Services.
Please read the following to learn more about our data collection policies and practices:
- Types
- How information is collected.
- How we use the information we collect.
- With whom the information may be shared.
- The choices you have about the collection and use of your information.
- The security precautions are in place to protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of your information.
- Links to other Websites.
- International Users.
- Limitation of Liability.
- Notification of changes and acceptance of the Privacy Policy.
- Correcting and updating personal information.
- Information collected from children under age 13.
- Contact information for questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy.
Types of information that may be collected
We and the Franchisees may collect personally-identifiable information and non-personally identifiable information when you use the Digital Services. Personally-identifiable information is information that can be used to identify you personally, either alone or in combination with other information (“Personal Information”), and non-personally identifiable information cannot be used to identify a specific individual (together with the Personal Information, your “Information”). The Personal Information collected through the Digital Services is used to facilitate the transactions or information you may request on the Digital Services, and otherwise as described in this Privacy Policy. For example, we and/or our Franchisees, as applicable, may collect Personal Information on the Digital Services if you reserve a spot for your dog in one of the Facilities, request other information from us, subscribe to any of our online newsletters or email lists, enter a promotion on the Digital Services, request to be notified of special offers, or if you provide information through the Digital Services for any other reasons. We may also collect Personal Information if you apply to become a franchisee.
The Personal Information collected will vary depending on the nature of your interactions with the Digital Services and your specific requests, but it may include your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, or other information that can be used to identify you personally. If you are applying to become a Franchisee, we will need to collect significantly more detailed information from you, including financial information.
We and our Franchisees do not have access to financial account data in unencrypted form through the Digital Services. Rather, we use third-party service providers to process payment transactions for the Digital Services (whether the payment is by credit card, PayPal, or otherwise). You will be redirected to the third-party service provider’s website or mobile application to process payment transactions. Such third-party’s website and mobile application are not under our control and we explicitly disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy, content or availability of the information and/or services found on or through such website or mobile application. We do not make any representations or warranties as to the security or use of any information (such as credit card and other sensitive information) you might provide on or through any such website or mobile application. You should review the third party’s terms of use and privacy policy before you use their services. Although these third party processors will notify us if your payment has cleared, and may submit some of your Personal Information to us, they will not provide your credit card or other payment account information to us, and the third party will be solely responsible for any issues that may arise with your payment transaction.
If you provide Personal Information through the Digital Services, a profile will be created for you (and your dog, if applicable) in our database. If a profile is created, we may combine information we or our Franchisees receive from you or about you from various sources (including your transactions at Facilities, online or offline) in your profile.
When you use the App, the App may collect Personal Information you choose to provide, in order for us to provide other services to you. If you complete a doggy daycare reservation or request for services using the App, our Franchisees may collect your name, email address, phone number, and other information, and we will have access to such Personal Information within our shared database.
If you complete an enrollment form for your dog or apply for a job with Barkley Ventures Franchising, LLC. or one of the Franchisees, you may provide us or the Franchisee with Personal Information such as your name, address, email, phone number, background, criminal record, or other information. Any information provided to BVF in an enrollment form or job application will be managed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Under the Franchise Agreement, Franchisees are obligated to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. However, we cannot guarantee that our Franchisees will do so.
How is the information collected?
Information may be collected in several different ways through the Digital Services, including but not limited to those described below:
Information You Voluntarily Provide
In most cases we will only obtain Personal Information through the Digital Services if you voluntarily provide it to us, for example, if you create an account with one of the Facilities, subscribe to our emails, enter a promotion, or request information from us or a Franchisee.
IP Addresses and Click-stream Data
We may collect IP addresses, click-stream data, length of session, browser settings and other information related to your use of the Digital Services for purposes of system administration, to improve the Digital Services, to report aggregate information to potential business partners or sponsors, and for other internal uses related to the Digital Services. An IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you access the Internet. When you request pages from the Site, our computers log your IP address. Click-stream data is information collected when you visit different pages on the Digital Services. Click-stream data may include information such as the page served, the time, the source of the request, the type of browser, the preceding page view, and other non-personal information. This data helps us analyze how visitors arrive at the Digital Services, what type of content is most popular, and other information about the usage of the Digital Services.
Analytics Tools
We may use Google Analytics or similar tools or services to collect information such as how often users visit the Digital Services, what pages or features they visit when they do so, and what other sites they used prior to coming to the Digital Services. We use this analytics data to improve Digital Services and tailor them to the needs of our users. Analytics providers may collect the IP address assigned to you on the date you visit the Digital Services, as well as your gender, age, interest categories, and other information to the extent it is available to the provider (based on your browser settings and otherwise). Google’s use of information collected by Google Analytics is restricted by the Google Analytics Terms of Use and the Google Privacy Policy. You can prevent certain analytics providers from recognizing you on return visits to the Sites by disabling cookies on your browser. In some cases we may combine Personal Information with anonymous data in order to create aggregate information about groups of individuals who use the Digital Services.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
The Digital Services use “cookies,” which are small data files that are transferred to your hard drive when your browser settings permit the acceptance of cookies, or we may use similar technologies. We or our third-party advertising or service providers may also use web beacons or similar technologies. Cookies automatically identify your web browser whenever you visit a Site, and save your user ID, preferences and other information related to your use of the Sites. By tracking how and when you use the Sites, cookies help us determine which features and content on the Sites are most important to visitors. Accepting cookies allows you, among other things, to personalize your experience on the Digital Services. Cookies may also allow the Digital Services to display advertising which may be of interest to you. If you do not want information collected through the use of cookies, you generally can turn off cookies in your browser; however, this may eliminate our ability to provide you with a personalized experience on the Digital Services.
Because there is not yet an industry-standard regarding how to respond to web browser “do-not-track” settings, the Sites do not currently respond to this setting. Please note that we may use third-party ad networks to serve ads on the Sites, and these ad networks or other promotional partners may use cookies or similar technologies that may track users across other sites and over time. If you wish to take steps to opt-out of tracking by certain online advertisers, you can visit the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out page at aboutads.info/choices.
How do we use the information we collect?
We internally use information about our visitors and customers to improve our service offerings, for our marketing and promotional efforts, to statistically analyze Digital Service usage, to improve our content and service offerings, and to customize the content and layout of the Digital Services. We believe these uses allow us to improve the Digital Services and provide better service to our customers. We or the Franchisee to which you have provided Personal Information may use your email address and mailing address or phone number to contact you regarding a reservation or inquiry you have made using the Digital Services, regarding issues with a transaction, satisfaction with the Digital Services and/or our products and services and to provide further information regarding additional events, products and/or services we believe would interest you. We also may use information in the file we maintain about a customer to resolve disputes and troubleshoot problems.
We collect, process and use Personal Information only for the purpose for which it was first collected and, if applicable, as authorized by you, including the uses described in this Privacy Policy or other uses which you may later authorize. We take reasonable steps to ensure that Personal Information collected is relevant to its intended use, and is accurate, current and complete.
To whom may the information be disclosed?
Information we collect may be disclosed to a variety of parties, depending upon the purpose for which the information was provided. In addition, in many circumstances you may provide Personal Information directly to third parties (such as the Franchisees or third-party service providers who process payment transactions on our behalf), which may share certain information with us. In order to process your requests, we may also provide your Personal Information to service providers or other companies who work on our behalf in order, for example, to process a payment transaction you have initiated.
We may access or use your information, and we may share such information with our current or future affiliated and related companies, Franchisees, or carefully selected third parties, to provide you with offers, information, promotions or marketing communications in which we think you may be interested. You may opt-out of having your information shared or used for marketing purposes by following the instructions below under “What choices do I have about my information?”
In addition, in the event that we or our related entities or Franchisees go through a business transition, such as a merger, acquisition, liquidation or sale of all or a portion of our or their assets, Personal Information and other consumer data in our or their possession will, in most instances, be part of the assets transferred. However, your Personal Information will remain subject to the terms of this Privacy Policy (or any subsequent version of this Privacy Policy, under which it was collected) following the transfer.
Your privacy is very important to us. However, due to the existing legal and technical environment, we cannot ensure that your Personal Information will not be disclosed to third parties in ways not described in this Privacy Policy. For example, we may be forced to disclose information to the government or third parties under certain circumstances, or third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications. Additionally, we can (and you authorize us to) disclose any Information about you, any communications sent or received by you, and any other information that we may have about you, to private entities, law enforcement or other government officials that we, in our sole discretion, believe is required: (a) by law; (b) to protect and/or defend our property or other legal rights; and/or (c) to protect the personal safety, or property or other legal rights of others. In any event, we cannot and do not guarantee that our Franchisees or other independently owned and operated Facilities will follow the terms of this Privacy Policy. Therefore, if you provide information to any of these parties, such information will not be subject to the terms of this Privacy Policy. In addition, in the event that all or substantially all of our ownership interest and/or assets are transferred or sold to another entity, we might transfer Personal Information and non-personal information to the acquiring entity.
What choices do I have about my information?
At any time, you may opt-out of having your information provided to third parties for marketing or other commercial purposes, and opt-out of other communications from us. You can unsubscribe from email newsletters or similar communications by clicking on the unsubscribe link in every email. You may opt-out of all Personal Information sharing with third parties for marketing purposes by emailing us at info@centralbarkusa.com or by sending a letter to us at the address below. If you wish to opt-out of communications from a specific Facility, please contact that Facility/Franchisee directly via the email links or other contact information on that Facility’s specific Site. Please note that we do not currently have a centralized opt-out mechanism applicable to all of our Franchisees and our various businesses, services and locations, so you will need to contact specific Franchisees directly.
To obtain a list of the Personal Information that BVF holds about you, please send a written request for this information, including your name, address, email address and phone number, with your signature, to us at the address below. You may review, change, or request the deletion of your Personal Information and preferences. We will then take all reasonable efforts to correct or remove your Personal Information from our active database.
What security precautions are in place to protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of your information?
We have implemented reasonable security measures to safeguard the Personal Information you provide us. The Digital Services are protected with industry-standard encryption software – SSL, though our servers are not encrypted. Please keep in mind that “perfect security” does not exist on the Internet, and accordingly we cannot provide any guarantee that your information will remain secure. You understand that your use of the Digital Services and submission of information to us or a Franchisee is at your own risk.
Links to other websites
You should be aware that when you use a Digital Service you could be directed to other sites beyond our control. For example, if you click on certain links, you will likely leave the Site or App and move to a different site that is not operated by us. These other services may send their own cookies to you, independently collect data or solicit Personal Information and may or may not have their own published privacy policies. If you visit a site that is linked to by a Digital Service, you should carefully review that site’s privacy policy before providing any Personal Information. This Privacy Policy does not apply to any information you submit to third-party sites.
International users
If you are accessing the Digital Services from outside of the United States when you provide Personal Information to us, you acknowledge that your Personal Information will be transferred to us, the Franchisees, or our service providers in the United States, and you consent to such transfer, as well as the use and processing of your Personal Information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. Regardless of where your Information is collected or transferred, if it is provided through the Digital Services, it will be treated in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Limitation of liability
By providing us with any Personal Information you expressly and unconditionally release and hold harmless BVF and its current and former parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, related companies, franchisees and each of their respective current and former shareholders, members, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, predecessors, successors and assignees from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the use and/or misuse of your Personal Information. In addition, while we take reasonable steps to prevent third-party companies from making unauthorized use of your Personal Information, we cannot be held liable for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the use and/or misuse thereof by those third-parties.
Notification of changes and acceptance of the privacy policy
By using any of the Digital Services, you signify your agreement to the terms of our Privacy Policy. We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time. If so, any such changes will be posted on this page so that we may keep users informed of our privacy practices. Accordingly, we recommend that you consult this page frequently so that you are aware of our latest policy. Your continued use of the Digital Services shall constitute your acceptance of such revised Privacy Policy.
Correcting and updating personal information
You may correct, update or remove the Personal Information you have provided to us by sending an email to info@centralbarkusa.com, or by contacting us by mail at the address below.
A special note for parents concerning privacy
The Digital Services are intended for general audiences and are not directed to children. If we discover that one of our users is under the age of 13, in accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), we will not collect, use or share any of the child’s Personal Information (as defined by COPPA) unless we first notify the child’s parent and obtain the parent’s consent as required by COPPA. However, we reserve the right to block access to certain features of the Digital Services (and any associated collection of Personal Information) if we learn that a child is under age 13, rather than seeking parental consent as described above.
In the event that we do seek parental consent for a child under the age of 13 to use the Digital Services: (a) we will not require a child to disclose more information than is reasonably necessary to participate in any activities on the Digital Services; (b) we will maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of information collected from children; (c) we will retain Personal Information collected online from a child for only as long as is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected and delete the information using reasonable measures to protect against its unauthorized access or use; (d) if we change this Privacy Policy in a way that expands the collection, use or disclosure of children’s Personal Information to which a parent has previously consented, the parent will be notified by email, and we will attempt to obtain the parent’s additional consent, or we will not engage in the expanded use of the information, or (e) if the parent does not grant permission in accordance with COPPA, we will delete any Personal Information we may have inadvertently collected from the child from our databases and will not collect any further Personal Information from the child.
If a child under the age of 13 were to use the Digital Services, because the Digital Services are designed for general audiences, the Personal Information collected from the child would be the same as that collected from adults, as described elsewhere in this Privacy Policy. Parents should be aware that if a child were to use certain social media areas of the Digital Services, this may include general audience communication services such as the ability to post comments, and potentially disclose Personal Information to other users of all ages via those comments.
Parents have the right to review, edit, request the deletion or prevent further collection or use of their children’s Personal Information. Parents may also choose to agree to the collection and use of their child’s information, but not allow disclosure of such information to third parties unless it is inherently part of the Digital Services, in accordance with COPPA. Parents may request any of these actions, or make inquiries regarding our privacy practices, by sending an email to info@centralbarkusa.com or writing to us at the address below.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PRIVACY POLICY, PLEASE CONTACT:
Email:
info@centralbarkusa.com
Mail:
Barkley Ventures Franchising, LLC.
PO Box 14217
West Allis, WI 53214
Updated on August 23, 2018
