Privacy Policy

Willowstick Technologies, LLC (“Willowstick,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy applies when you visit willowstick.com or a Willowstick-operated preview or successor website, submit a project inquiry, request an assessment, or otherwise communicate with us through the website (collectively, the “Website”). It does not govern information handled under a separate client, employment, confidentiality, or other written agreement, or the privacy practices of third-party websites and services that we do not control.

1. Personal information we collect

We collect personal information that you choose to provide. For example, an assessment or contact request may include your name, work email address, organization, professional role, project location, the nature of the subsurface question you are evaluating, and any other information included in your message or subsequent correspondence.

Please do not submit trade secrets, export-controlled information, sensitive personal information, or confidential project materials through the Website unless we have asked you to do so through an approved channel. Information submitted before a confidentiality agreement is in place may not be treated as confidential.

2. Information collected automatically

When you use the Website, our hosting, content-delivery, security, and network providers may automatically receive technical information needed to deliver and protect the Website. This information may include your Internet Protocol address, browser and device type, operating system, referring page, pages requested, approximate location derived from an IP address, timestamps, and diagnostic or security-event data.

We do not use information collected through the Website to make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects about individuals.

3. How we use personal information

We use personal information only for legitimate business and legal purposes connected with operating the Website, evaluating potential projects, providing services, and protecting Willowstick and others.

• Responding to inquiries, arranging consultations, and determining whether a Willowstick survey or related service may be appropriate for a project.
• Communicating about an inquiry, proposal, existing business relationship, conference, publication, or other requested information.
• Operating, maintaining, securing, troubleshooting, and improving the Website and our communications systems.
• Maintaining business records, preventing fraud or misuse, enforcing agreements, and protecting legal rights, safety, property, and operations.
• Complying with applicable law, regulation, legal process, professional obligations, and valid governmental requests.

4. Legal bases for processing

Where the law requires a legal basis for processing, we rely on one or more of the following, as appropriate: your consent; taking steps at your request before entering into a contract; performing a contract with you or your organization; our legitimate interests in operating a business-to-business website, responding to project inquiries, securing our systems, and developing client relationships; and compliance with legal obligations. Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time, without affecting processing already completed.

5. How we disclose personal information

We may disclose personal information within Willowstick and Guardian Resources to personnel who need it for the purposes described above. We may also disclose information to vendors that provide website hosting, content delivery, cybersecurity, form processing, customer-relationship management, email, communications, professional advisory, or other operational services on our behalf.

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law or legal process; respond to lawful requests; investigate fraud, security incidents, or violations; protect rights, safety, property, or operations; or establish, exercise, or defend legal claims. Information may also be transferred in connection with a financing, reorganization, merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or similar corporate transaction, subject to appropriate confidentiality and legal requirements.

6. Sale, sharing, and targeted advertising

As of the effective date of this Policy, Willowstick does not sell personal information for money, share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, or use personal information collected through the Website for targeted advertising as those terms are defined by applicable U.S. state privacy laws. We also do not knowingly use sensitive personal information collected through the Website to infer characteristics about individuals.

If our practices change, we will update this Policy and provide any notices or choices required by applicable law.

7. Cookies and similar technologies

The Website and its infrastructure may use cookies, local storage, log files, or comparable technologies that are necessary to deliver pages, maintain security, remember technical preferences, diagnose errors, or prevent abuse. At the effective date, Willowstick does not operate advertising cookies or behavioral-advertising pixels on the Website.

You can adjust browser settings to block or delete cookies. Blocking technologies necessary for delivery or security may affect Website functionality. Because there is not yet a uniform industry standard for browser “Do Not Track” signals, the Website does not currently respond to those signals. Where applicable law requires recognition of a legally valid opt-out preference signal, we will process it as required.

8. Data retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Retention depends on the nature and status of the inquiry or relationship, the sensitivity of the information, operational needs, applicable limitation periods, contractual requirements, and legal, accounting, tax, security, and recordkeeping obligations. We may retain limited information for longer when necessary to document a request, resolve a dispute, enforce an agreement, prevent fraud, or comply with law. Information in backups may remain until those backups are overwritten or securely retired in the ordinary course.

9. Data security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against accidental or unlawful loss, misuse, alteration, disclosure, or access. Safeguards are selected with regard to the nature of the information and the risks of processing. No Internet transmission or storage system is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your choices and privacy rights

You may ask us to stop non-transactional communications at any time by using an unsubscribe method provided in the communication or by contacting us. We may still send communications needed to respond to a request, administer an active relationship, or meet legal obligations.

Depending on where you live and subject to applicable exceptions, you may have rights concerning your personal information.

• Confirm whether we process your personal information and request access to or a copy of it.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Request deletion of personal information.
• Request restriction of processing or object to certain processing.
• Request portability of information you provided in a usable format.
• Withdraw consent where consent is the basis for processing.
• Opt out of sale, targeted advertising, or certain profiling if we engage in those activities in the future and applicable law provides that right.
• Appeal a decision concerning a privacy request where applicable law provides an appeal right.

11. How to exercise a privacy right

Submit a request using the contact information below and describe the right you wish to exercise. To protect personal information, we may ask for information reasonably necessary to verify your identity, authority, and relationship to the information. An authorized agent may submit a request where permitted by law, but we may require proof of authorization and verification of the individual’s identity.

We will respond within the period required by applicable law. If we deny a request, we will explain the basis when required and provide appeal instructions if an appeal right applies. We will not discriminate against you for exercising a privacy right. You may also have the right to complain to your local privacy or data-protection authority.

12. International data transfers

Willowstick is based in the United States. If you access the Website or communicate with us from another country, your personal information may be transferred to and processed in the United States and in other countries where our service providers operate. Those countries may have data-protection laws that differ from those in your jurisdiction. Where required, we use an approved legal mechanism or other appropriate safeguard for an international transfer.

13. Children’s privacy

The Website is intended for business and professional audiences and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the Website. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact us so we can evaluate and address the matter.

14. Third-party websites and services

The Website may link to publications, conference sites, social platforms, or other third-party resources. A link does not mean that Willowstick controls or endorses the third party’s privacy practices. Information you provide directly to a third party is governed by that party’s terms and privacy notice.

15. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, services, or legal obligations. The effective date above identifies the current version. If a change materially affects how we use personal information already collected, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent when required by law.

Contact us

To submit a privacy request or ask a question about this Policy, contact Willowstick Technologies, LLC in Spanish Fork, Utah, USA. Email info@willowstick.com or call +1 (801) 984-9850.

Project information handled after engagement may also be governed by a client agreement, confidentiality terms, or a project-specific notice. Where those written terms conflict with this Policy, the terms applicable to that relationship control.